Navigating Zero - Global Trade’s Powerful Wave of Change

Convincing senior leadership of the importance of sustainability can be challenging. However, it is possible to build a strong business case for its adoption.

In this episode, Lora Jakobsen, Chief Purpose Activist at ZeroNorth, sits down with Pia Heidenmark Cook, an ESG and sustainability leader with over 25 years of experience across various global industries, including professional services, healthcare, sports retail, sustainable materials, and hospitality. Pia is perhaps best known for her impactful tenure as Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA, where she led significant transformations in the company’s approach to environmental stewardship.

Lora and Pia discuss how she convinced IKEA’s senior leadership that sustainability had a strong business case, the profound impact of high-quality evidence and data, and how anyone, regardless of their sector or position, can make a difference.

The world is in a climate crisis, and all industries must do their part to reach zero emissions. Maritime trade is critical to today's society but is responsible for roughly 3% of all greenhouse gas emissions. A future where global trade reaches zero emissions is possible. But how do we get there? In this podcast, we're sitting down with thought leaders to explore the inner workings of global trade, its massive impact on our society, and the obstacles it faces while navigating its way to zero.

About Pia Heidenmark Cook: LinkedIn
About Eurazeo Planetary Boundaries Fund: Website
About Embedding Sustainability: How to Drive Organizational Transformation
About ZeroNorth: Website
About Lora Jakobsen: LinkedIn
Subscribe to the Navigating Zero Newsletter

What is Navigating Zero - Global Trade’s Powerful Wave of Change?

Navigating Zero - Global Trade’s Powerful Wave of Change is a podcast from ZeroNorth that explores the significant challenges facing the maritime industry on its journey towards a sustainable future. There’s no denying we are facing a climate crisis, and all industries must do their part to reach zero emissions. Maritime trade is critical to today’s society but is also responsible for roughly 3% of all greenhouse gas emissions. A future where global trade reaches zero carbon emissions is possible, but how do we actually get there?

In each episode, Lora Jakobsen, Chief Purpose Activist at ZeroNorth, will sit down with global thought leaders and ask the difficult questions: How do we accelerate decarbonisation in maritime trade? What stands in the way of shipping companies reaching zero emissions? What are the innovative solutions to the challenges we face in distribution? And how can data and technology help?

Navigating Zero gives us all a peek into how maritime shipping and global trade fit into our world. It gives voice to different perspectives on the solutions to reduce carbon emissions, from the way cargo is packed in shipping containers, to innovations on the ship, and beyond. If you are a professional within the shipping industry who wants to drive change and make global trade sustainable, this is the podcast series for you.

Lora Jakobsen specialises in technology, growth, and sustainability strategy. As a founding member of ZeroNorth, Lora played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s vision to make global trade more environmentally sustainable. That included defining ZeroNorth’s mission and driving change as the shipping industry embraces a greener future. As a key figure in the decarbonisation journey, Lora spearheads and contributes to global trade transformation, collaborating with organisations working toward zero emissions.

ZeroNorth was founded to lead the sustainable transition of global trade. Their goal is to support shipping companies around the world, helping to optimise their business while reducing shipping carbon emissions. ZeroNorth does this by creating new and innovative solutions and elevating operations through actionable data to transform and improve client business.

Learn more about their efforts at: https://zeronorth.com/