Richard Howitt
banner
richardhowitt.bsky.social
Richard Howitt
@richardhowitt.bsky.social
Strategic Advisor, Corporate Responsibility and #Sustainability, Business and Human Rights. Advisory, Board member, Trainer, Keynote Speaker, Facilitator. Host #FranklySpeaking responsible business podcast https://www.richardhowitt.com #ESG #bizhumanrights
Pinned
Hi #bsky people! I was responsible for the first EU corporate sustainability reporting law, now #CSRD. Then Global CEO of the coalition for integrating sustainability with finance, now #ISSB. Let's follow eachother to discuss #ESG #sustainability #sustainablefinance #bizhumanrights. Please repost!
The inside story of European Sustainability Reporting Standards from the Chair, as he steps down. Hear the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast just released.

Youtube: youtu.be/pS-hflp2-Tw

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3Lmx...

Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/1...
January 29, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Sales of new electric vehicles exceed new petrol cars in Europe for the first time. Thanks @carbonbrief.org
HUGE moment for the EU car market as battery EVs overtake petrol cars for the first time ever

But there's no "natural" demand for EVs amirite?

Article by @mollylempriere.carbonbrief.org

www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-evs...
January 28, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Two weeks to go until the Skytop Strategies’ Shareholder Engagement & Communication Summit in London on 5 February. Full agenda and registration details: www.skytopstrategies.com/conferences-... As Co-Chair I can bring some friends/colleagues for free. Contact me: www.richardhowitt.com/contact
January 23, 2026 at 12:43 PM
How far has sustainability really gone? Listen to a special Responsible Business debate to mark the 100th 'Frankly Speaking' podcast, which I am proud to host.

Youtube: youtu.be/_G_ugwMt-6c

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4IJs...

Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/1...

#RBC #CSR
January 21, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Why Greenland is "the canary in the coal mine" for climate change.

www.nature.com/articles/d41...
January 19, 2026 at 12:57 PM
How well are International Financial Institutions (IFIs) backing business in the sustainability transition? Listen to the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast:

Youtube youtu.be/h3ViS_dGKGs

Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/2Vl5...

Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...
January 14, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Congratulations to @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org for comprehensively rebutting a right-wing think tank report which totally misrepresents the cost of Net Zero transition in the U.K. Renewables are 10-20 times cheaper than the fossil fuel alternative. www.linkedin.com/posts/richar... @carbonbrief.org
January 13, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Responsible AI isn't an issue for tech companies alone - it's now an issue for every company.

Catch up my article published by @sustainablebrands.bsky.social

sustainablebrands.com/read/now-eve...

#artificialintelligence #AIethics #responsibleAI
Now Every Business will have to Examine the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
In the second of three articles for Sustainable Brands from the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights 2025, Richard Howitt finds that the ethics of AI can no...
sustainablebrands.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Listen to the Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast for predictions on the most important developments in 2026 with my guests, two renowned sustainability journalists:

Youtube youtu.be/SMWAmZi9Clo

Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/4xCM...

Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...
January 7, 2026 at 12:52 PM
If conducting business in conflict zones whilst respecting human rights is one of the biggest challenges, how can investors get the data they need to assess their investment in that business? Read my article just published by @sustainablebrands.bsky.social
sustainablebrands.com/read/how-can...
How Can Companies Assess Human Rights Risk in Conflict Zones?
In the final installment of a three-article series for Sustainable Brands from the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights 2025, Richard Howitt finds that it i...
sustainablebrands.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Degrowth or 'forced green growth'? Listen to the arguments with my guest @mattorsagh.bsky.social in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast.

Youtube: youtu.be/6Sb2TjkeG98

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6Zg0...

Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...

#beyondGDP
#97 Matt Orsagh: Is There a Case for Degrowth?
YouTube video by Frank Bold
youtu.be
December 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
A very Happy Christmas to everyone who celebrates it and a peaceful and successful New Year to all.

Richard

Thanks to all friends and colleagues with whom I have worked this year.

www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
A very Happy Christmas to everyone who celebrates it and a peaceful and successful New Year to all. Richard Thanks to all friends and colleagues with whom I have worked this year, including: *… | ...
A very Happy Christmas to everyone who celebrates it and a peaceful and successful New Year to all. Richard Thanks to all friends and colleagues with whom I have worked this year, including: * Wro...
www.linkedin.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM
OUT NOW! The definitive guide to the EU Omnibus of sustainability laws, finally agreed this week. Listen to the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast:

@Youtube: youtu.be/nqJsSS_mTtU

@Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2EOP...

@Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...
December 19, 2025 at 11:22 AM
As the EU Omnibus of sustainability laws is agreed, what was the influence from the U.S. Government and corporations? Listen to the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast:

Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/4i0y...

Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...

Youtube youtu.be/X2n3QvcsoZQ
December 13, 2025 at 11:49 AM
The outcome of the Trialogue on the EU Omnibus of sustainability laws reported this morning is sadly deeply flawed. See my full statement at:
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...

#EUOmnibus #CSDDD #CSRD
#euomnibus #csrd #csddd | Richard Howitt
The outcome of the Trialogue on the EU Omnibus of sustainability laws reported this morning is sadly deeply flawed. The dropping of any requirement for company climate transition plans is desperatel...
www.linkedin.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Today we've reached a total of 50,000 unique listeners to our 'Frankly Speaking' responsible business podcast, which I am deeply proud to host.

Thank-you to all our listeners, our guests and our colleagues in Frank Bold.

Indeed, let's make that 50,000 thanks!

www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
December 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Five key take-aways from sessions I led on the corporate sustainability reporting landscape with major companies and on simplified European Sustainability Reporting Standards, at the Corporate Disclosures 2025 Conference today. www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
#CorporateDisclosures2025 #cd25 #CSRD
December 1, 2025 at 12:21 PM
There really is a business case for companies to respect human rights. Hear about a new @undp.org study showing how, in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast:
Youtube: youtu.be/yUGBYpf2t_k
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/797D...
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...
November 19, 2025 at 10:31 AM
It is possible that leadership in sustainability in the world is shifting from Europe to Asia and the experience of this week's 'India and Sustainability Standards' 2025 Summit gives plenty of evidence that this is true. See my take-aways: www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
#ISS2025 #ISSCRB2025
#iss2025 #isscrb2025 #indiaandsustainabilitystandards | Richard Howitt
In a very sad week, I have been pleased to be in an atmosphere where sustainable business is optimistic, innovative and very much valued for meeting the challenges of the future - at the 12th 'India a...
www.linkedin.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:05 AM
I am so sorry that as the world meets for climate talks, in the European Parliament centre-right MEPs joined far right climate change denying MEPs to remove companies' obligation to draw up climate transition plans. See my full reading of what happened: www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
#omnibus #csrd #csddd | Richard Howitt
I am so sorry that as the world meets for climate talks, in the European Parliament centre-right MEPs joined far right climate change denying MEPs to remove companies' obligation to draw up climate tr...
www.linkedin.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM
To win the battle against climate change, we have to enable high-emitting heavy industries to decarbonise. The latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast explains how:

Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5kKA...

Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...

YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?lis...
November 12, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I very much look forward to this year's flagship India conference on sustainability standards for business 12-14 November in Delhi, when I'll speak on sustainable B2B cooperation and on the link between trade and sustainability. To join us: event.godreamcast.com/reg-events/g... #ISS2025 #CRB
November 6, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Very simple message from America's first Pope. Will it be heard?
“How did you receive the foreigner? And did you receive him and welcome him or not?”

Pope Leo XIV challenges us to reflect on the moral cost of policies that target deeply-root immigrants and families.
November 6, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Why the Global South wants mandatory due diligence by companies on supply chains. Hear the case example of Thailand, in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast:

YouTube youtu.be/w9MkWBiOtmI?...

Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6Hgm...

Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...
November 5, 2025 at 11:54 AM
The 'Sea-Change needed. A lay guide to degradation of marine ecosystems, the link to climate and what we need to do to maintain biodiversity of sealife for the future. Read my essay presented to this week's Critical Fish exhibition and programme in Hull www.thecriticalfishtrail.co.uk/essays/blog-...
November 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM