What happens when two self-proclaimed sustainability "experts" sit down to challenge everything we think we know about greenwashing, carbon accounting, and the future of sustainable construction? This conversation cuts through the noise to reveal why sustainability has finally grown up—and why that's the most exciting thing happening in infrastructure right now.
Charlie and Catherine bring decades of hard-won experience from both inside and outside the corporate sustainability machine. They're not here to shame anyone or preach perfection. Instead, they're making the case for why imperfect progress beats paralyzed perfectionism every single time.
Key Themes Explored:
• Why sustainability finally "grew up" - How standardized metrics and corporate commitments in the 2020s transformed sustainability from activist passion project to scalable business program
• The scope revolution - How Scope 3 emissions accounting changed everything by forcing companies to look deep into their supply chains and rethink total cost of ownership
• Data as the new frontier - Why environmental product declarations (EPDs) and lifecycle assessments are becoming as critical as financial accounting for making smart design decisions
• Partnership over transactions - How the construction industry's "three bids and a buy" mentality is holding back the true potential of industrialized construction and sustainable innovation
• Maximizing impact vs. minimizing footprint - The mindset shift from "doing less bad" to "doing more good" that's unlocking real value creation
• The audacious question: How do we stop weaponizing greenwashing? - Their bold take on why every sustainability effort, however imperfect, deserves celebration rather than criticism
This episode isn't just about sustainability, it's about how to drive meaningful change in complex systems without burning out or burning bridges. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just getting started, Charlie and Catherine offer a refreshing perspective on how to make sustainability work in the real world.
Connect with our guests:
Charlie Sellars: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesellars/
Book: "What We Can Do: A Climate Optimist's Guide to Sustainable Living"
Catherine Donnelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catdonnelly/
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