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Richard Howitt

@richardhowitt.bsky.social

270 followers 310 following 150 posts

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

www.richardhowitt.com

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Jan 13

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!

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 4h

My comment on EU sustainability 'omnibus' deal: "Saddest of all is that even fewer companies will have to report on sustainability compared with the Non-Financial Reporting Directive, with which I am associated, from back in 2014. 4,700 instead of 11,000 companies." www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...

#csrd #csddd #omnibus | Richard Howitt

My response to the so-called compromise on the 'Omnibus' of EU corporate sustainability laws struck in the European Parliament. The threat by the centre-right grouping to vote with the Far Right was...

www.linkedin.com

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 1d

I am proud to be international advisor to the forthcoming conference planning for a business and human rights approach in post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine. Join us next Thursday 16 October, 9.30am-6.30pm EEST (CET+1): www.bhr.org.ua/conference20...

#bizhumanrights #reconstruction #Ukraine

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 3d

I am honoured that the Frankly Speaking responsible business podcost I host has won the w3 award for "Brilliance in Digital, Content and Creativity" en.frankbold.org/news/frankly...

Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f...
Spotify open.spotify.com/show/1J7HnfT...
YouTube youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 7d

Results we've released today clearly show no overwhelming business support for 'Omnibus' simplification of previous EU sustainability directives and the strongest company support for mandatory environmental and human rights due diligence on company supply chains. sociallobbymap.org/wp-content/u...

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 15d

10,000 B Corps - but will every company in future become a B Corp? Hear @beautykitchen.bsky.social and certifier B Lab in the Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast
Youtube m.youtube.com/watch?v=YwPv...
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5TQu...
Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/8...

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 16d

Join me at the Brussels launch of Social LobbyMap research on corporate lobbying in the EU, given the Omnibus debate on mandatory corporate due diligence: Wednesday 1 October 6.30pm, Norrsken House, 72 Rue du Commerce. Light refreshments served. Book your ticket: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-data-d...

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 19d

For those who emphasise the so-called ESG backlash in Europe or America, this is a timely reminder that sustainability is a global movement meeting global challenges. Thank-you @wblau.bsky.social.

Wolfgang Blau @wblau.bsky.social · 22d

In case you find yourself thinking that somehow all sustainability regulation was being rolled back. It isn't. And the US is the outlier. Enormous dynamism and regulatory innovation across Asia. This is from The Brunswick Group's quarterly sustainability radar. For the full report, contact me.

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 21d

My sister has done a brilliant project with many of her collaborators bringing art to the case for marine conservation - it's a great example but I accept I'm biased: it's my sister!

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 21d

The big turning point is not for or against ESG, but whether we try to respond individually or understand the new imperative that only collaborative action can succeed. I look forward to delivering my keynote to next week's 'amfori' European Sustainability Summit 2025. www.amfori.org/event/amfori...

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 23d

It's a combination about using existing political structures and setting up new forms of governance. A lot of practical work like clearing rubbish from waterways, litter picking on beaches, tree-planting and rewilding projects can raise awareness and build support. Good luck where you are!

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 25d

Congratulations to @ralphthurm.bsky.social and Bill Baue for an intensive and provocative r3.0 conference last week. Checkout their new focus on bioregions at:
lnkd.in/dFBr5KUP

Thank-you for a phenomenal experience last week to and for everyone involved.

#relational #bioregional #fractalcoherence

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · 29d

Simplified EU Sustainability Reporting Standards explained in the Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: Youtube #85 Sandra Atler & Signe Lysgaard: Your Essential Guide to the New ESRS Sustainability Standards
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5GmE...
Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/8...

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Sep 8

Mandatory sustainability reporting, due diligence guidelines and leadership on SDGs are found in Japan. Find out how in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyZb...
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5byP...
Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/8...

#84 Akiko Sato: What Can We Learn from Japan’s Sustainability Journey?

YouTube video by Frank Bold

www.youtube.com

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Aug 20

ANNOUNCEMENT From next week, the Frank Bold 'Frankly Speaking' responsible business podcast which I host, will be available on YouTube, with the audio version still on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Corporate disclosure is just getting even more transparent!
en.frankbold.org/frankly-spea... #susty #ESG

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Aug 14

Delighted Frank Bold's 'Frankly Speaking' responsible business podcast which I host has won the International Business Silver Award. "Not just a podcast, it is actually bringing in future relevant conversations.” en.frankbold.org/news/frankly...

#InternationalBusinessAwards #Stevies #StevieAwards

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Aug 7

Key issue above any other arguably is cap on production and requirements for gradual reductions in production over time.

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Aug 7

How nearly one-third of the rare earths needed for EV battery production and wind turbines by Europe, can be produced just by recycling end of life motors and other equipment.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#rareearths #criticalminerals #netzero

How Europe is vying for rare earth independence from China

The EU is aiming to increase its own production of rare earth metals, led by a facility in France.

www.bbc.com

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Aug 6

The trouble is that it's both - but that the current negotiations seem to be failing to distinguish between the two. Please keep following this and add your voice!

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Aug 6

What's at stake in the #INC52 #PlasticsTreaty negotiations just opened in Geneva? Listen again to our Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast with @emmapriestland.bsky.social from @breakfreefromplastic.org:
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/001w...
Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/6...

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Jul 16

Find out the very latest on the EU Omnibus simplification of Europe's corporate sustainability laws, at a special #SEDEX webinar tomorrow (Thursday 17 July) at 3pm BST (4pm CET). I'll be speaking alongside SEDEX's Charlotte Kincaid and PRI's Ben Leblique. Register at: info.sedex.com/eu-omnibus-p...

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Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Jul 15

“I would have hoped HSBC would have had the courage of its commitments. I still hope banks will do so, as climate goals are too important for us to fail.”

After the latest departure from the Net Zero Banking Alliance, see my interview in The Banker: www.thebanker.com/content/d312...

#susfin

HSBC’s net zero alliance exit ‘hugely disappointing’, say shareholders

The bank is the first major European lender to leave the NZBA

www.thebanker.com

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Jul 13

Plan for 'pre-cycling' 1 million solar panels i.e. building circularity in to low carbon energy infrsastructure, even in advance of it being built. Great initiative by @engie.com electrek.co/2025/06/18/e... #netzero #circulareconomy #climate

ENGIE’s ‘precycling’ plan could change utility-scale solar builds

ENGIE’s new solar projects build recycling in from day one, using “precycling” to ensure panels are reused – not dumped – at end of life.

electrek.co

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Jul 10

ESG critics in the U.S.A. say collaboration between companies to pursue sustainability goals is anti-competitive. Very good to see Europe very deliberately sending a signal that joint company actions for net zero are fully enabled under EU competition rules. ec.europa.eu/commission/p... #netzero

Commission provides guidance on sustainability agreement to reduce CO2 emissions in European ports

The European Commission has issued informal guidance on the compatibility with EU competition rules of a sustainability agreement for the joint purchasing and the setting of technical specifications f

ec.europa.eu

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Jul 9

Supply chain due diligence really can be effective without being unduly burdensome. Hear from the Ethical Trading Initiative & TFG Brands London in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast.

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

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/8...
#CSDDD

Richard Howitt @richardhowitt.bsky.social · Jul 5

Amazing claim from Big Oil:"The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive is some of the worst legislation passed anywhere in the world-we're saving the Europeans from themselves" - ExxonMobil CEO. Will EU law makers accede to U.S.pressure?

Thanks @beatebeller.bsky.social @globalwitness.org