While the corporate world remains laser-focused on decarbonisation and Net Zero targets, a critical component of climate strategy is being overlooked: Adaptation.

In this episode, we sit down with Mekala Krishnan, partner at McKinsey Global Institute, to discuss why the world needs to simultaneously "walk and chew gum", managing the transition to a low-carbon economy while urgently preparing for the physical risks already locked into the system.

Mekala breaks down the staggering economics of adaptation, estimating that the world will need to spend $1.2 trillion annually by 2050, mostly to protect against heat and drought. However, the business case is undeniable: for every $1 invested in adaptation measures, there is an average return of $3 in avoided damages.

We dive deep into the specific challenges facing sustainability leaders today, including the psychological barrier that "no one gets paid for a disaster that didn't happen". Mekala also exposes a critical vulnerability in Fortune 500 companies: while their direct operations are often designed for "1 in 10,000 year events," their indirect supply chains remain dangerously exposed to climate disruption.

Key Takeaways for Sustainability Professionals:
• The "Walk and Chew Gum" Strategy: Why planning large CAPEX buildouts without accounting for higher warming levels is a failure of risk management.
• The Fortune 500 Blindspot: Why corporate HQs are resilient, but their supply chains and distribution channels face massive resiliency gaps.
• The Heat Penalty: How chronic heat stress will impact worker productivity and agricultural yields, shifting from acute events to chronic conditions.
• The Innovation Opportunity: Why cooling solutions and agricultural resilience represent the next frontier for R&D and investment.
• Building the Business Case: How to frame adaptation to the C-Suite by moving from "invisible benefits" to tangible ROI.

Read the full report here.

If 90% of sustainability professionals believe their department won't exist in five years, where does that leave your career?

In this episode of the State of Sustainability, host Saif Hameed tackles the "sustainability bear market". With roles increasingly absorbed into procurement and finance, professionals must go beyond resilience to become "anti-fragile" - a concept from Nassim Nicholas Taleb, describing systems that improve under pressure. To thrive in 2026, sustainability professionals should be attaining hard, transferable skills in data insights and crisis management.

This episode includes strategic breakdown of where sustainability professionals can open up opportunities and make a difference:
• Corporates: Prioritise high-margin sectors like pharmaceuticals and personal care, where brand equity and free cash flow drive long-term commitment.
• Vendors: Exercise caution with consultancies and software firms, as the sector faces consolidation and AI-driven self-service is reducing demand for traditional advisory gigs.
• Non-profits: Despite recent criticism, these unsung heroes are stabilising and offer vital roles for honest brokers, capable of bridging government and corporate gaps.

The State of Sustainability Podcast is where we unpack the topics and trends of corporate sustainability, hosted by Saif Hameed, Founder and CEO of Altruistiq.

Ready to transform your sustainability reporting? Start your journey at Altruistiq.com

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

In this episode, Saif Hameed is joined by Shannon Bouton, CEO of Delterra, for a wide-ranging conversation about waste, climate and the systems that govern how materials move through our economy. Speaking from snowy Michigan, Shannon brings a global perspective shaped by years of hands-on work designing waste management systems across Southeast Asia, Latin America, and increasingly, the United States.

The discussion explores the often-overlooked connection between waste and climate change, particularly the role of organic waste and methane emissions. Shannon challenges the idea that waste, climate and environmental issues can be treated separately, emphasising instead that they are tightly interconnected parts of a single planetary system. Together, Saif and Shannon unpack why waste has become more visible to consumers and companies alike, and why it has largely avoided the political polarisation seen in other sustainability debates.

A significant portion of the conversation digs into what makes a waste system “leaky,” why certain materials like PET bottles are more likely to be recovered than sachets or thin films, and how economic incentives shape what actually gets recycled. Shannon explains why designing packaging for recyclability, not just recycled content, is critical, and why simplification for consumers may be one of the most powerful levers companies have.

The episode also tackles complex topics like waste-to-energy, extended producer responsibility, and emerging innovations—from advanced recycling to biological solutions for organic waste. Throughout, Shannon offers a clear takeaway for sustainability professionals: there is no silver bullet, but thoughtful system design, material simplification, and aligning economics with environmental outcomes can drive meaningful change at scale.

The State of Sustainability Podcast is where we unpack the topics and trends of corporate sustainability, hosted by Saif Hameed, Founder and CEO of Altruistiq.

Ready to transform your sustainability reporting? Start your journey at Altruistiq.com

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.