In this enlightening episode of The Ethical Futurists Podcast, hosts James Taylor and Alison Burns interview Muna Merghani, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in humanitarian aid, development management, and corporate sustainability. Muna discusses her journey from tech to social development, her role in establishing and leading the corporate sustainability and social impact department at Haggar Group, and her passion for mentoring new startups. They delve into the complexities of carbon trading, ESG legislation, and the importance of authentic sustainability practices in the private sector. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in sustainable development and corporate social responsibility.

Key Takeaways:

• The creation and implementation of the "complete returns" metric at Haggar Group.
• The challenges and benefits of carbon trading and how it relates to corporate sustainability.
• The importance of ESG legislation and the need for genuine implementation beyond just compliance.
• Muna’s perspective on developing context-specific sustainability policies.
• The critical role of training and education in fostering a deeper understanding of ESG.

Quotes:

• "We need to make sustainability a cross-cutting issue embedded within companies." - Muna Merghani
• "It's not just about reporting; it's about understanding and implementing genuine sustainability practices." - Muna Merghani
• "Do no harm and live peacefully." - Muna Merghani

Timestamps:

• [0:00] Introduction by James Taylor and Alison Burns

  • Overview of the podcast’s focus on sustainability, ethics, and future trends.

• [1:46] Advertisement: MENA Speakers

  • Information on booking sustainability and ESG speakers through MENA Speakers.

• [2:31] Guest Introduction: Muna Merghani

  • Introduction of Muna Merghani, her background, and her roles at Haggar Group.

• [2:57] Current Focus and Recent Changes

  • Muna discusses her recent move to Dubai and current focus on training youth in sustainability and ESG.

• [4:11] Journey into Sustainability

  • Muna shares her transition from computer science to humanitarian aid and development, and eventually to corporate sustainability.

• [5:41] Top Accomplishments at Haggar Group

  • Establishing the sustainability department, developing the "complete returns" metric, and engaging in carbon trading.

• [8:12] Understanding Carbon Trading

  • Explanation of carbon credits, their implementation, and the impact on private enterprises.

• [11:13] ESG Legislation and Self-Governance

  • Muna's insights on ESG legislation, self-governance, and the importance of genuine sustainability practices.

• [16:23] Importance of Training in ESG

  • The need for training to move beyond compliance and ensure proper understanding and implementation of ESG.

• [17:08] Aha Moments in Sustainability

  • Muna's experiences and realizations while developing sustainability policies and practices at Haggar Group.

• [18:44] Quickfire Round: Book Recommendation

  • Muna recommends "Unbowed" by Wangari Maathai, highlighting the impact of one person's perseverance in tackling environmental issues.

• [20:21] Podcast and Influencer Recommendations

  • Muna follows sustainability practitioners like Jehan Hyde and finds valuable content on LinkedIn.

• [21:14] Essential Tools and Resources

  • Muna mentions LinkedIn as a key resource for staying updated on ESG and sustainability.

• [21:45] Vision for an Ethical and Sustainable Future

  • Muna shares her hopes for a future with peace, justice, and freedom, led by ethical and responsible leaders.

• [22:55] How to Connect with Muna

  • Muna primarily uses LinkedIn for professional connections and updates.

Contact Information:

• LinkedIn: Muna Merghani

Sponsors:

• MENA Speakers: mena-speakers.com

Additional Links:

• Ethical Futurists Keynote Speaking: theethicalfuturists.com/speaking