Frontier

In this episode of the Frontier podcast, Foresight hosts Dan Wells and Chris Holmes discuss the vital role of interconnectors in the energy transition with Simon Ludlam, CEO of Mares Connect. They explore how interconnectors facilitate a fully integrated energy market, enhancing energy security, enabling cross-border electricity flow, and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources. The conversation highlights the European Union’s strategic prioritisation of interconnectors as part of its energy policy, underscoring their importance in achieving decarbonisation goals. However, significant investment in infrastructure is essential for scaling interconnector projects, as regulatory barriers and cross-border coordination challenges often delay project timelines and increase costs. Simon emphasises that MaresConnect is focused on leveraging wind patterns for energy export, optimising routes to align with peak renewable production times. While cable technology has advanced, it remains relatively mature, meaning most delays arise from regulatory hurdles rather than technical limitations. The discussion also touches on how hydrogen can complement interconnectors by providing an additional means of energy transport and storage, which could further bolster renewable energy integration. Finally, Simon shares a personal insight on how running provides him with a mental break that can help him land on innovative solutions for complex energy challenges. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the potential of interconnectors to bolster energy security, improve market efficiency, and drive global decarbonisation, while also underscoring the importance of thoughtful policy, investment, and collaboration to overcome obstacles in the sector. Visit for more information. The podcast is for information purposes only and without limitation, does not constitute an offer, an invitation to offer or a recommendation to engage in any investment activity. Listeners should not construe the content of this podcast as investment advice and no reliance may be placed upon the content. The opinions of speakers are their personal opinions and not necessarily those of their respective companies. Foresight Group LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 198020). Foresight's registered office is at The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG.

Accelerating resource consumption, biodiversity loss and climate change are damaging the planet's ability to support life. In order to secure a sustainable future, we must adopt new ways of thinking and addressing complex problems. System thinking represents one of society’s best bets for making real progress towards the sustainability transition by viewing all natural and human systems as interdependent. In this episode, Sophie Warren, Sustainability Manager at Foresight Group and Lola Bushnell, Sustainable Futures Strategist at Arup, discuss what is meant by system thinking, and how the Earth's natural and built systems can be designed in a way to co-exist and co-evolve to benefit society and the environment. Key Takeaways include: Understanding what systems thinking is and how can it help us to achieve a sustainable future Understanding how well systems thinking principles are currently integrated within industry Identifying what policies are driving systems thinking Understanding what is meant by regenerative design and the benefit of it Addressing the main barriers to achieving true regenerative design in infrastructure Lola is a Sustainable Futures Strategist at the global design and engineering firm, Arup. Lola sits in the Foresight team, Arup's internal think tank, and is focused on influencing the wider industry toward nature-led, regenerative design practices and systemic decarbonisation strategies that produce net positive outcomes for people and the planet. The podcast is for information purposes only and without limitation, does not constitute an offer, an invitation to offer or a recommendation to engage in any investment activity. Listeners should not construe the content of this podcast as investment advice and no reliance may be placed upon the content. The opinions of speakers are their personal opinions and not necessarily those of their respective companies. Foresight Group LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 198020). Foresight’s registered office is at The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG. {TRANSCRIPT} Sophie Warren [00:00:04] Welcome to Foresight's sustainability podcast, a series that explores sustainability themes that will play a crucial part in shaping our world in the current period of accelerated change. In this series, we will be sitting down with industry experts to explore some of the major developments in sustainability related fields, and consider the challenges facing businesses in a new decade of climate action. With these sessions, we aim to inform and promote dialogue around the mainstreaming of sustainability. I'm your host, Sophie Warren. I'm the Sustainability Portfolio Manager at Foresight in the Infrastructure Department. And today I'm joined by Lola Bushnell. Lola is a Sustainable Future Strategist, at Arup. Welcome Lola, would you like to begin by introducing yourself? Lola Bushnell [00:00:42] Hi Sophie, thanks so much for having me. Yeah, so I'm coming from Arup, which is a global design firm made up of a breadth of technical specialists working to solve some of the world's most challenging problems. And we range from ecologists to structural engineers to urban planners. And I sit within Foresight, which is essentially our internal think tank, which is focussed on supporting the long term transformation and adaptation of our firm, and that includes the future market opportunities, emerging risks, future skill requirements and the wider transformational needs of our firm. And we have framed the firm around being a sustainable development focussed company. So much of the work that we do is exploring how we can actually build a better world. Sophie Warren [00:01:33] Brilliant, thanks for the intro Lola. So today we're going to look at about systems thinking and how that relates to regenerative design, which the Foresight team at Arup look at. So we're going to go through a number of questions. Firstly, looking at systems thinking, and then heading into more of a regenerative design context. So first of all, I was wondering if you could give us a high level overview of what systems thinking is, and how systems thinking can help us to achieve sustainable future. Lola Bushnell [00:02:03] Yeah, so systems thinking is really about breaking down the silos in our thinking. So looking at the interdependencies within our systems, be those within nature or within the infrastructure and buildings in our cities, essentially to ensure that our design interventions are having the greatest outcome for multiple of beneficiaries and are not causing unintended harm. Sophie Warren [00:02:27] So it's looking at the interrelations of all systems in the global wider context. Lola Bushnell [00:02:34] Yeah, yeah, absolutely. So one way to look at systems thinking is with the Planetary Boundaries framework, which is a framework developed by leading earth systems scientists at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, and it's essentially lookin...

Julia Dreblow, Founding Director of SRI Services and Fund EcoMarket, joins us to discuss developments within responsible investing, as the movement gains momentum, and explore the rise of greenwashing. What you can expect in this episode: An overview of 'greenwash' and ESG ratings Advice for investors wanting to play an active role in managing their finances and avoid greenwashing We discuss regulation and who is responsible for driving greener standards as the investment landscape evolves The opinions of speakers are their personal opinions and not necessarily those of the company.

Dan Wells, Infrastructure Partner at Foresight Group articulates what is meant by ‘sustainability’ and shares his views on some of the trends that are set to shape both businesses and, more broadly, society over the course of the coming years. What you can expect in this episode: Language is a key barrier to the wider integration of sustainability considerations into business; we set out key industry terms We explore the role sustainability has played in shaping business agendas We consider the significance of ‘sustainability’ when addressing grand challenges like climate change, poverty and health equity, that threaten systems and demand cross-sector engagement The on-going health crisis has highlighted the need to approach grand challenges holistically. To ensure long-term industry resilience, sustainability and ESG considerations will need to be mainstreamed into business strategies. The opinions of speakers are their personal opinions and not necessarily those of the company.

Andrew Norris, the Founder of The Alpha Adviser, a recruiter of leaders in energy and infrastructure, joins the podcast to explore the concept of a 'just transition'. With over 20 years of experience recruiting, he has witnessed the sustainability transition and its impact on working lives close up and gathering pace. What you can expect in this episode: Insight into the often overlooked human impacts of the energy transition, on both labour supply and demand as the market evolves An overview of what it takes to be an active job searcher looking to enter a career in sustainability The opinions of speakers are their personal opinions and not necessarily those of the company.