INTERVIEWS

  • September 2024: Bob was featured in Robert Rubinstein’s TBLI podcast (60 minutes). The podcast includes Bob’s explanation for his hope that deploying net-zero procurement with speed and scale will engage businesses in the race to net-zero, in time.
  • July 2024: Bob was on a panel featured in Michael Baxter’s “The ESG Show” podcast on the What and Why of “Double Materiality.”
  • May 2024: Bob was featured in David Gouthro’s “Discove Fresh Perspectives” podcast (36 minutes). David’s  “Our Climate-The Time to Act is NOW with Bob Willard” episode explains how and why net-zero procurement is the best way to engage companies in the race to net-zero GHGs.
  • April 2024: Bob was featured in Warren Coughlin’s podcast (47 minutes). The podcast includes Bob’s personal story, an overview of bob’s many tools and techniques for engaging with SMES. and why he is focused on net-zero procurement.
  • February 2024: Bob was featured in Mike Fallat’s Million Dollar Stories podcast (42 minutes). The podcast includes Bob’s personal story, the sustainability business case, and why he is focused on fixing the climate crisis.
  • October 2023: Bob is often asked what led him to his post-IBM sustainability career, and to his current focus on Net-Zero Procurement. An interview that he did with Sparx Publishing for its Make The World Better Magazine led to an excellent January 2024 article that tells his story.
  • In March 2023, Bob did a half-hour video podcast with 360 Energy: “Net-Zero Procurement  with Bob Willard (Episode #80).” This episode features what net zero procurement is with a focus on scope 3, who is involved in implementation, challenges and more.
  • In March 2023, Bob did a second half-hour video podcast with 360 Energy: “Net-Zero Procurement & Supply Chain with Bob Willard (Episode #82).” This episode features driving forces of sustainable procurement, KPIs and net zero, supply chain sourcing, and more.
  • In October 2022, Bob participated in a 2-hour video podcast by CGI on “ESG: Problems and Solutions.” Lubna Bibi from CGI speaks with Bob, Eric Wetlaufer from TwinRiver Capital, and Dirk Matten from Schulich Business School. They discuss the issues surrounding ESG and how they can be resolved. It’s a comprehensive discussion that addresses issues such as regulatory frameworks, greenwashing, ESG scoring, technology, government involvement, and the goals of developed and developing nations. 
  • In September 2022, Bob did a brief overview of Net-Zero Procurement foe WEAll. The video of Bob’s webinar, “How Net-Zero Procurement Could Be the Lynchpin for a Wellbeing Economy.” is on YouTube. The first 20 minutes are the presentation; the rest is Q&A  with WEAll attendees.
  • In June 2022, Bob was featured to Chris Alarcon’s Green Pursuit podcast (31 minutes) about “How to Transform Your Business Green.”
  • In November 2021, Tim Nash hosted Bob and Armine Yalnizyan on his “Responsible Investing for a Sustainable Economy” podcast. They discussed the business case for sustainability and why companies and governments should be proactive about investing in social and environmental measures to maximize their profits and strengthen the economy.
  • In August 2020, Bob was featured onMark Anielski’s podcast (38 minutes) about Bob’s white paper, “7 Bold Strokes To Save Our World.”
  • In May 2020, Bob was virtually interviewed (40 minutes) by ISSP Board President, Fabian Sack, about the perfect storm of sustainability crises that we are experiencing: lessons learned; how to be smart about the new economy we build; foster new business models; embrace new personal habits; what gives him hope; the value of the SDGs as a blueprint for the society we want / need; his BHAG sustainable public procurement project that would help engage SMEs in achieving the SDGs; and how sustainability champions can lead the transformation with their circles of influence.
  • In April 2018, Bob did a half-hour podcast interview with the School for Humanity. In the interview, Bob discusses how he got into sustainability, how he helps businesses justify paying more attention to environmental and social issues, current drivers, and how to ensure sustainability projects succeed.
  • In February 2018, Bob did a half-hour podcast interview with Josh Prigge for  Sustainable Nation. In the interview, Bob discusses selling the business case for sustainability, communicating sustainability benefits, the B Corp movement, learning from decades of experience in corporate sustainability, and tips and advice for sustainability professionals who want to make a difference with decision-makers.
  • In May 2017, Bob launched his sixth book, Sustainability ROI Workbook, at Sustainable Brands 2017 in Detroit.  This SB article is an excellent summary of the half-day workshop that he did there on why and how to use the new, free, open-source tool to frame a compelling business case for sustainability initiatives.
  • In October 2016, Bob did a half-hour podcast interview for The Civil Engineering Podcast (TCEP). The interview covered definitions of sustainability, the business case for companies doing more on sustainability than they already are, and the need for us all to be better at articulating that business case effectively.
  • In March 2016, Bob visited the Calgary to do talks at events for University of Calgary faculty and students, at a business luncheon, to the City of Calgary staff, and for local NGO groups.  He did a UToday interview at the end of his visit in which he reflects on how Calgary is well-positioned to lead the transition to a green economy. That interview was also published in a Q&A interview format.
  • In January 2016, Bob did a keynote address at the annual Sustainability Summit for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In conjunction with that event, he did a short 6:44 minute video interview. The interview covers the business case, the five-stage sustainability journey business case, where most companies are today and why, and how Civil Engineers can contribute to a sustainable society.
  • In September 2015, Bob did a webinar with TNS Canada: “How Can Your Business Be Future Fit?”  The one-hour webinar recording provides a good overview of the who, what, why, how, and when of the Future-Fit Business Benchmark.
  • In July 2014, Alexandre Magnin (Sustainability Illustrated) released a brilliant animated video on the Business Case for Sustainability. It is also available in French.The video generously acknowledges my contribution to this topic throughout, so it feels like a virtual interview. In just 4.5 minutes, the video covers a topic that usually takes me 45 minutes to deliver in a typical presentation. That’s a 10 productivity factor and the clever graphics make the message wonderfully memorable. I especially like the one about injecting sustainability into company DNA. Beautiful!
  • An interview in June 2014 by The Green Up Girl for the Greener by Choice Podcast. It’s a show that spotlights green movement leaders that are making a difference around the world. I got to share my story, why I’m so passionate about sustainability and what steps I’m taking to help make a difference in the world.
  • An interview in June 2013 by Bart King for Sustainable Brands. It explores the need for better metrics to capture the true value of ESG efforts. The interview links to a 14-minute video of Bob’s plenary presentation on “Enabling the Renaissance: The Perfect Storm in True Cost Accounting” at Sustainable Brands 2013. It is also linked to by Bob’s June 2013 blog,It’s Time We Measured What Matters.”
  • A creatively segmented audio interview with Adam Hammes, Principal of Ecofluence, in March 2013, entitled “Bob Willard: How You Can Be a “Sustainability Champion.” In it, Bob gives the story behind each of his books, and suggests how to use them to be a more effective sustainability champion.
  • A short interview with Bullfrog Power in December 2013 about what started Bob on his own sustainability journey, and his suggested first steps that other individuals and businesses should take on their journeys.
  • An interview with Lucy La Grassa for First Carbon in September, 2012. Entitled “The Business Case for Sustainable Companies: The Perfect Storm,” it summarizes the findings in The New Sustainability Advantage and how Bob got there.
  • A synopsis of a talk at the Toronto Sustainability Speaker Series (TSSS) on June 20, 2012. It was a “TED talk” length presentation given as part of the Toronto book launch of The New Sustainability Advantage at the TSSS event. The column summarizes its key messages.
  • An article in CMA Magazine about a keynote talk given to CMA Ontario’s Big Ideas Conference in December 2011. The journalist added material from a subsequent interview when she wrote the article.
  • An interview with GreenBlue published on May 14, 2012, about progress on sustainability, The New Sustainability Advantage, and why its associated resources are free and open source.
  • A 16-minute talk at Ryerson University’s “Sustainability Thought-Leaders Symposiumon April 10, 2012. Overlooking the minor production and technology glitches, the segment between 22:21 and 38:59 is a typical talk about the new business case that is quantified in The New Sustainability Advantage.
  • A 4-minute interview with 3BL Media, made in March 2012 at the Ethical Sourcing Forum in New York City. It covers the revenue contribution to the business case, and how important stakeholders drive sustainability momentum in the corporate sector.
  • A 59-minute interview with Luke Callahan on selling sustainability, made in July 2011 for Luke’s GroAction web site.
  • Three 2-minute videos done in May 2011 for the Globe and Mail’s “Leading Thinkers” web site: Does saving the world mean learning jargon? is about the importance of language when engaging business leaders on sustainability. Does white hair help create corporate change? is about why the messenger’s credibility matters when talking to businesses. The business case for doing good is about the seven benefits that companies can reap by using sustainability strategies.
  • A 3-minute interview with RBC in March 2010 about the business case for sustainability and how to lead the greening your business. It is accompanied by a two-page article based on the interview.
  • A 3-part interview with 360 Energy’s Sustainability Series in November 2009. Part 1 (4:54 min): Benefits of sustainability and common hurdles faced by organizations. Part 2 (4:13 min): Bottom-line benefits of sustainability and typical starting points for organizations. Part 3 (4:35 min): Renewable energy and how organizations can utilize this resource to improve their sustainability.
  • Interview with Randall Craig on ProfessionallySpeakingTV.com in November 2009. The interview is about an hour long, including the ads, and covers how Bob became an author and speaker on sustainability, his views on current sustainability challenges, and how he attempts to walk the talk on sustainability.
  • In October 2009, Bob did a presentation on the  business case for sustainability for a Partners in Project Green (PPG) gala event near the Pearson Airport in Toronto. The slides in the video are in the old format but 80% of the content of the presentation is still relevant.