Welcome to Money for Change, the podcast made by Triodos Bank! In this podcast, we will share insights and challenges related to our core question: how can we accelerate the change to a more balanced and just world?

Each episode, we will dive into a specific topic that is relevant for answering this question. Hans Stegeman, Triodos Bank’s Chief Economist, is a recurring guest in the show.

In today’s episode, we’ll talk about the current state of the Arctic, a region which is known for its vital function within the Earth’s ecosystem, its unique wildlife and is inhabited by various indigenous communities. However, economic exploitation has put the Arctic under pressure, in particular by rare earth mining and trade routes that cut directly through ice-covered waters.

These activities create severe environmental risks, which makes it necessary to take measures that safeguard the Arctic Ocean and its surrounding ice caps. One such initiative is the Arctic Oceans Pledge, a voluntary commitment by companies to avoid using the sea-ice passageways in their global supply chains.

Joining us is Alex Shahbazi, Senior Manager Artic Programs at Ocean Conservancy, to discuss the role of money in the protection of the Central Arctic Ocean. As in our previous English episode, we critically examine the impact of voluntary corporate pledges. How effective are they in realizing a transition to a sustainable economy? And how well are the voices and interests of Indigenous Arctic communities meaningfully represented?

If you have any comments or questions about this episode, feel free to contact us using the form on our webpage: https://www.triodos.com/en/podcasts/money-for-change

Enjoy listening and don’t forget to rate & follow us!

Host: Emma de Leeuw

Fixed guest: Hans Stegeman

Guest: Alex Shahbazi