Have you ever wondered if the eco-labels on your favorite products truly reflect their environmental impact? In this episode, I sit down with Christophe Girardier, CEO of Glimpact, to explore how technology is transforming our understanding of sustainability. Christophe, a serial entrepreneur, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, shedding light on the critical role of technology in achieving genuine sustainability.
We begin by critiquing the current state of eco-labeling, questioning whether smarter algorithms and data analytics can pave the way for more accurate, dynamic, and helpful sustainability ratings for consumers. Christophe shares insights on how Glimpact's technology goes beyond the narrow focus on carbon emissions, emphasizing the complexity of true sustainability. It's not just about carbon; it's about biodiversity, water, and soil health.
One of the key topics we delve into is the challenge of greenwashing and the importance of authentic sustainability efforts. Christophe introduces Glimpact's global footprint measurement approach, leveraging the EU's OEF method to capture a comprehensive view of environmental impact. This rigorous and holistic assessment spans 16 impact categories, including water depletion, biodiversity loss, and more.
Christophe also highlights the pivotal role of technology in environmental sustainability. We discuss how AI can help consumer brands become more sustainable, using examples like Lacoste to illustrate the importance of a systemic view. Technology not only prepares companies for future reporting demands but also enables them to measure and mitigate a wide array of environmental impacts.
We explore the adoption of PEF/OEF methods for a systemic approach, ensuring a rigorous assessment of environmental footprints. Christophe explains each of the 16 impact categories, from climate change to resource use, and how they contribute to a comprehensive understanding of sustainability.
Finally, we propose a revolution in corporate environmental strategy, urging companies to include all dimensions of the environmental crisis in their decision-making processes. It's about moving beyond carbon balances to consider the full spectrum of environmental impacts.
Join us as we uncover the complexities of sustainability, the dangers of greenwashing, and the revolutionary potential of technology in driving authentic environmental responsibility. How can brands integrate these insights into their business models? Listen in, and don't forget to share your thoughts on how we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.
[00:00:00] Are we underestimating the power of technology in transforming environmental sustainability
[00:00:10] and overcoming greenwashing?
[00:00:12] Well today I'm going to be joined by the visionary CEO of a company called Glympat.
[00:00:17] His name's Chris Stauffer and we're going to be discussing how cutting edge technology,
[00:00:21] including smarter algorithms and advanced data analytics, are revolutionising the way
[00:00:27] that companies understand and tackle their environmental impact.
[00:00:32] From moving beyond carbon emissions to embracing a more holistic view of sustainability that
[00:00:38] includes biodiversity, water, soil health and so much more.
[00:00:43] But this is a tech podcast so I want to learn how technology is at the heart of true environmental
[00:00:49] responsibility.
[00:00:51] So buckle up and hold on tight as I beam your ears all the way to Paris where Chris Stauffer
[00:00:56] is waiting to join us today.
[00:01:00] So a massive warm welcome to the show.
[00:01:03] Can you tell everyone listening a little about who you are and what you do?
[00:01:07] Okay, my name is Chris Stauffer, Girardier.
[00:01:10] I am a French entrepreneur and I was a lucky entrepreneur because I co-founded a company
[00:01:17] which is Glympat.
[00:01:18] Glympat like globally.
[00:01:19] And I come from the strategy consulting area where I have a long experience and especially
[00:01:30] in innovation, technology and sustainability.
[00:01:34] And I created this company with a specific opportunity where I was, was I the mission
[00:01:44] with the European Commission with a wonderful initiative which is a single market for green
[00:01:49] product which was in fact the willingness of the member states of the European Union
[00:01:57] to create a common and harmonized method to define and measure the overall tariff rate
[00:02:05] of company and products.
[00:02:08] It was an enormous mission, five years on which I was the opportunity to see all the
[00:02:16] scientific community not only Europe.
[00:02:20] And this, the result of this was a technology and a scientific approach of the division
[00:02:29] of entrepreneurial footprint which was absolutely very impressive.
[00:02:35] And me with my co-founder, we realized that it was a wonderful asset, scientific asset,
[00:02:42] but it will be nothing if we don't create the technology to make an access to this methodology
[00:02:50] not only for companies but also for citizens.
[00:02:54] And this was the origin of Glympat.
[00:02:56] Love that.
[00:02:58] And we will have people listening all around the world and some people will be hearing
[00:03:02] about Glympat for the very first time.
[00:03:04] So just to set the scene for our conversation today, can you tell me a bit more about the
[00:03:10] problem that we're solving here, the current limitations of eco-labelling and how you're
[00:03:14] using technology to enhance accuracy and usefulness of sustainability ratings for consumers?
[00:03:21] The key question because you know eco-labelling which is in fact an oriental claim of so many
[00:03:29] people, companies, famous people, states, whatever.
[00:03:36] And most of the debate and especially in the context of the Paris Agreement where I was,
[00:03:44] you know, everybody speak only about carbon footprint.
[00:03:50] Everybody said environmental crisis means climate change.
[00:03:57] But the reality is not that.
[00:03:59] The oriental crisis is not only climate, it's systemic.
[00:04:07] And during this very good new scientific approach of the European Union, we realized that the
[00:04:14] science realized that the oriental crisis is not one impact categories which is CO2
[00:04:22] emission which is at the origin of the climate change.
[00:04:26] There is not only one impact categories but 16 impact categories which include water use,
[00:04:35] fossil resources, land use, toxicity and of course the state of the biodiversity.
[00:04:43] So globally speaking, the problem is that in reality, having a focus only on carbon
[00:04:52] footprint means that you forgot two-thirds of the reality of the orbital footprint of
[00:04:59] a product or a company.
[00:05:01] And this is exactly the problem of most of the labelling system and most of the state
[00:05:08] policy, everybody speak about climate change.
[00:05:12] It's important but it's only one impact categories concerning 16.
[00:05:18] And this is very important because we realized with this new approach which is disrupted,
[00:05:24] you see the stake of the oriental crisis not in the same way when you see a systemic vision.
[00:05:34] And you realize that you could reduce the orbital footprint, the carbon footprint of
[00:05:43] your product or your company but making that if you don't see that you transfer impact
[00:05:50] in water, in ecotoxicity and so on and so on, you could in fact reduce your carbon footprint
[00:05:58] but make a catastrophe in the space of the orbital, a global vision of orbital footprint.
[00:06:04] And this is very important because we discovered that in fact, if the humanity could achieve
[00:06:13] to solve the climate crisis, the humanity will not be saved because there is other impact
[00:06:22] categories that I mentioned which can kill the human.
[00:06:26] That's exactly the concept of planetary boundaries, which is nine planetary boundaries including
[00:06:35] the climate.
[00:06:36] And what we have done is to put in place a technology can address this systemic vision
[00:06:45] of orbital footprint in order to give to companies, citizens, state what is the reality of the
[00:06:53] impact of their product, services or company and how to reduce it by choosing the right
[00:07:03] key leverage and not the one which in fact is for most of the guests greenwashing.
[00:07:12] And so much I love about what you just said there because every day on this podcast, I
[00:07:17] try and get people thinking differently about technology, about the impacts that we all
[00:07:22] have on the world.
[00:07:23] And you're right when you say that for the most part, we've all heard of carbon emissions
[00:07:28] of carbon footprint and climate change, but not too often do you hear about environmental
[00:07:34] factors like biodiversity, water and soil health in some of those assessments.
[00:07:40] So what I also try and do on this show is get people thinking about how technology can
[00:07:45] fix some of these problems.
[00:07:46] So how do you at Glenpac utilize AI and data analytics to help consumer brands improve
[00:07:53] those sustainability practices and maybe provide an example that would just bring that to life?
[00:08:00] Yes, yes.
[00:08:01] This is a key question also because everybody has to understand that the concept of orbital
[00:08:11] footprint is complex.
[00:08:15] It's not only climate, as I mentioned.
[00:08:17] It's complex because it takes into account a lot of components, the 16 impact trees, nine
[00:08:24] planetary boundaries.
[00:08:27] And if we don't address that through technology, we can't do that.
[00:08:33] To give you an idea first to understand how important is your question, the technology
[00:08:40] is key for solving the orbital crisis in this system.
[00:08:47] When I give you an illustration of that, when I speak about a global vision of our footprint,
[00:08:53] which takes into account not only carbon footprint, but the 16 impact categories, it's necessary
[00:09:00] for each evaluation of our footprint.
[00:09:05] You have to take to make 16 measures, water for CO2 emission, for land reuse, for fossil
[00:09:19] resources and so on and so on.
[00:09:20] So it means that you have 16 calculations to address.
[00:09:25] And for each calculation, you have to take into consideration, if we take a product,
[00:09:32] all the life cycle stage of the product from the raw material to the end of life.
[00:09:38] So imagine for each of the component of the product, raw material, industrial process,
[00:09:45] distribution, end of life, circularity, all this means to identify for each component
[00:09:54] approximately to between 5,000 kind of toxicity substance who can have an impact through these
[00:10:12] 16 impact categories.
[00:10:13] In other words, from 2,000 to 5,000 type of pollution, which is a gatherer through 16
[00:10:25] impact categories.
[00:10:27] So all this has to measure to be measured.
[00:10:30] So you need a very strong technology using big data concept.
[00:10:35] This is why we have developed.
[00:10:36] And in addition to that, you need external data.
[00:10:40] First, the one which describe how was created the products that you want to evaluate.
[00:10:47] But also a lot of additional information that the company don't have immediately.
[00:10:52] Let me give you an example.
[00:10:55] the environmental footprint of the 16 categories of one kilowatt of energy come from thermic
[00:11:04] energy, nuclear energy or solar energy.
[00:11:08] So all this means a lot of calculations.
[00:11:11] So to give you an example of what, so this technology first calculates the environmental
[00:11:17] footprint.
[00:11:18] Let me take a bigger brand that is a company which is a customer of CleanPak in Europe
[00:11:24] and in Europe, you know the trademark Lacoste.
[00:11:29] Yes.
[00:11:30] Lacoste is a well-known French trademark which is in the United States.
[00:11:36] Lacoste wanted to review all their strategic plans in terms of sustainability.
[00:11:44] They were like all the companies focusing on carbon footprint.
[00:11:48] Through what we have done for us, for them, they realized first that carbon footprint is
[00:11:54] only one of the 16 categories to measure.
[00:11:58] And when we applied this approach, Lacoste realized that in fact, the contribution of
[00:12:05] the carbon footprint in all the overall environmental footprint of Lacoste company was only 25%.
[00:12:14] Which means that all, more than two-thirds of the overall footprint come from other
[00:12:21] impact categories than carbon footprint, which is important.
[00:12:25] So first, the first step is to understand the reality of your environmental footprint,
[00:12:32] where this environmental footprint comes from really.
[00:12:37] So first, so when you measure, you realize the second step is how you identify the key
[00:12:44] explanatory factors which explain your real environmental footprint.
[00:12:53] Our technology is so big that I will come back to EA just after, could answer to this
[00:13:00] question.
[00:13:01] For example, for Lacoste, they discovered that the main key hotspot of their footprint
[00:13:11] is not the transfer from the country where they create or produce from China, India,
[00:13:23] South Africa, and so on and so on.
[00:13:26] This part of their footprint is less than 5%, which is not what the people said.
[00:13:32] The reality of the impact was two measures.
[00:13:35] First, the condition of production of the raw material, which is the fiber and especially
[00:13:41] cotton, where is it done in which condition?
[00:13:46] And the second hotspot was some of the industrial process, including dining.
[00:13:54] Dining could only be from 25 to 40% of the origin of the impact of their product.
[00:14:04] So when you discover that, it totally, totally changed your vision.
[00:14:10] So Lacoste, through that, identifies these hotspots, change radically what they imagine
[00:14:18] to have to do and discover the right leverage to act in order to reduce significantly their
[00:14:25] footprint.
[00:14:26] And this is a key point.
[00:14:28] Most of the carbon footprint analysis is interesting to add, but not enough precise with a very
[00:14:39] big reduction in terms of evaluation of the old component of the entire process.
[00:14:43] And in fact, you can't take from this analysis any key industrial leverage in order to act
[00:14:51] to reduce significantly your middle footprint.
[00:14:54] So Lacoste has done an enormous project all around the world, from the farmer of the cotton
[00:15:03] production to the factories using some industrial process to limit the overall footprint on
[00:15:17] these two major parameters.
[00:15:21] And these two partners, some industrial process and the raw material production condition,
[00:15:32] all together means approximately 80 to 90% of their middle footprint.
[00:15:36] So this is the way you can really go through a real ecological transition of the industry.
[00:15:45] You raise so many great points there, because I think there are a lot of brands that want
[00:15:49] to do the right thing.
[00:15:50] There are a lot of brands that think they're doing the right thing, but are actually not.
[00:15:54] And a lot are very nervous and anxious about being called out for greenwashing.
[00:15:59] So how does your approach at Glympac help companies move beyond that superficial sustainability
[00:16:06] effort to those more authentic and effective environmental responsibilities?
[00:16:12] And if you can share around that, are many of your customers concerned about greenwashing
[00:16:17] and the impacts of that too?
[00:16:19] Yes, you're right.
[00:16:20] So just to come back to what you say, which is true, you know that European Union have
[00:16:26] conducted analysis all around the member states of the European Union to identify
[00:16:32] approximately 200,000 green claims in order to evaluate if they are true or scientifically
[00:16:42] funded.
[00:16:43] The result, trust me, that 65% of them were not scientifically funded.
[00:16:51] So what could be considered a greenwashing?
[00:16:56] So this is an enormous big issue.
[00:16:59] So first of all, I want to say that there is two, three kind of companies.
[00:17:03] There is, I will be fond with you, even I will make trouble for people.
[00:17:11] First kind of company who wants really to make right thing.
[00:17:18] So they try to don't make the confusion between sustainability and marketing.
[00:17:26] So for them, sustainability is not marketing.
[00:17:27] It's a commitment, not only for the planet, but for the sustainability of their business.
[00:17:34] So this company, some but not a lot, don't make greenwashing because they are so afraid
[00:17:41] to say bullshit things.
[00:17:43] The second kind of company is a company who have no idea of what is greenwashing and no
[00:17:50] idea what is sustainability.
[00:17:53] And this is unfortunately most important, and especially in the United States.
[00:17:57] And the third one is a people, the company who knows that they make greenwashing.
[00:18:02] They know and then say, well, to make that in order to avoid to go through the reality
[00:18:08] of their impact.
[00:18:10] There is not a lot of what is, this is the most dangerous greenwashing.
[00:18:15] So now when I say that, I would say that most of the companies who make greenwashing don't
[00:18:22] know they make greenwashing.
[00:18:23] Why?
[00:18:24] Because they think that local mean good for the environment, not food.
[00:18:30] Organic food is good for the environment, not necessary.
[00:18:35] In your t-shirt, this is easy come from a long way.
[00:18:42] It means that it's not good for the planet, not because it is not the issue.
[00:18:48] The issue is raw material.
[00:18:50] So globally speaking, you have in the world as many people who said, I have my own method
[00:18:57] to measure the hotel footprint.
[00:19:00] Thousand.
[00:19:01] This is not possible.
[00:19:02] And so greenwashing still is a rule today, except in Europe now.
[00:19:08] And I'm glad now to share this with you because this is a news which was last week.
[00:19:17] And I'm glad to say that I was part of this long debate and fight against greenwashing.
[00:19:28] And the European Parliament has adopted last week an exceptional new legislation, which
[00:19:40] is done to avoid in any case the greenwashing.
[00:19:43] What is this legislation?
[00:19:46] This name is ESPR, which is Eco-Conception Sustainable Product Regulation.
[00:19:55] This is good now and it will concern all companies in the world who want to sell their products.
[00:20:03] To answer your question, the first finding of European Parliament says that we can't
[00:20:12] expect to have as many definitions of hotel footprint as people or players.
[00:20:18] The definition of the hotel footprint must be a common scientific-based method.
[00:20:25] There is no thousand methods.
[00:20:27] We need the same method for everybody.
[00:20:29] This is exactly the method that I mentioned at the beginning, which is a PESH method,
[00:20:35] product hotel footprint method, which was defined by the European Commission for the
[00:20:40] European Union through the scientific community, including in the United States.
[00:20:47] So this method defines what means hotel footprint, 16 impact categories, 9 planetary boundaries,
[00:20:58] and second, how to measure it.
[00:21:02] Then this new legislation says that everybody has to measure that.
[00:21:07] To avoid greenwashing, the first concept of this legislation is that according to
[00:21:15] specific categories, including apparel and footwear, steel, shoes, cosmetics, and all
[00:21:24] these detergents, for example, they have to declare their hotel footprint according to
[00:21:33] this method, which must be checked.
[00:21:37] First way to avoid the greenwashing, everybody has to measure this hotel footprint, and I
[00:21:42] will come back to what is the result of it.
[00:21:44] And the second major announcement of this legislation, that for each product category,
[00:21:51] according to this method and its findings, European Commission with authorization of
[00:21:58] the state and for the state will define for all the European market specific eco-conception
[00:22:06] requirements.
[00:22:07] Let me give you an example.
[00:22:09] For the textile industry, all apparel have to be done by at minimum 45% of renewable raw
[00:22:21] material.
[00:22:22] So the example, it could be, for example, you can't have a product which have a hotel
[00:22:29] score through this common method below this limit.
[00:22:37] And this legislation will be applied next, starting 2025.
[00:22:45] And if companies in the world don't respect first their hotel footprint declaration through
[00:22:52] this common method, eco-conception requirement, they will be not in a way to sell their product
[00:23:00] in Europe.
[00:23:01] So it's an enormous, it's a first important legislation which make a contract.
[00:23:08] You know, usually, journalists like you said that there is a COP meeting and everybody
[00:23:16] discuss, it's a wonderful discussion, but no contract.
[00:23:21] Everybody do what they want.
[00:23:23] Not in this case.
[00:23:24] This is a first legislation vote in the framework of the Overture Green Deal, European Green
[00:23:33] Deal, which impose now significant constraints to all players who want to go through the
[00:23:42] European market.
[00:23:44] So to answer to your question, this is the only way to fight against the greenwashing
[00:23:50] you mentioned, Nathan, is to see the responsibility of the state or the international institution
[00:24:00] like European Commission, which say, now stop.
[00:24:04] You are not allowed to define your own method.
[00:24:07] If you are, if now you start your journey and say, I will define my own method.
[00:24:14] No.
[00:24:15] There is a scientific method which has to take into account not only one component of
[00:24:21] the total crisis, to not be like this, to have all these components.
[00:24:27] This method must be defined for everybody and through this method, an objective vision,
[00:24:36] we can imagine first to impose to all players not bullshit claim based on their own vision,
[00:24:47] but a transparent declaration of their real or other footprint of their product.
[00:24:55] Then they have to demonstrate how they try to reduce their footprint.
[00:25:02] Because in any case for me, I said this to all companies for which we work and I will
[00:25:10] give you an idea or objective in the United States.
[00:25:14] We want to say to the company, don't be afraid to reveal to your customer your real or other
[00:25:21] footprint.
[00:25:22] The problem is not the result.
[00:25:24] The problem is how you will define a strategy to reduce it, whatever is your level.
[00:25:32] Most important is how you reduce it.
[00:25:34] But greenwashing is created by ignorance, by no common rule and environmental footprint
[00:25:44] is not a marketing subject.
[00:25:45] It's a scientific subject and a technology subject because this is complex.
[00:25:52] I know you are an expert of technology.
[00:25:55] Now you know very well all the most important tools that you have in big company, ERP, AI,
[00:26:06] management of data bars and so on.
[00:26:08] Now it's necessary to integrate on all infrastructure systems, all companies, the environmental
[00:26:17] footprint component.
[00:26:18] It must be at the heart of the infrastructure system.
[00:26:24] This is exactly what we want to create.
[00:26:26] And for example, I give you the example of LACOSSE, but I could take other example like
[00:26:35] the Mars Group work on their product on that.
[00:26:40] When you integrate this component, it must be at the heart of your infrastructure system
[00:26:47] and the consequences is that this environmental performance become a key component of your
[00:26:56] business model.
[00:26:57] This is the new area of ecological transition.
[00:27:01] There is no future for ecological transition if we don't start to measure scientifically.
[00:27:11] Take the example of people who want to become slimmer.
[00:27:23] You want to become slimmer, me, you.
[00:27:26] How you do that if you don't have a balance who can give you what is your weight of start?
[00:27:34] If everybody decide of their way to measure their weight, how you imagine to change anything?
[00:27:45] Albert Einstein, a trainer in the United States said, nothing can be better if you don't measure
[00:27:58] the problem first.
[00:28:00] 100% with you and I love how Glymphact technology combined with EU's OEF method provides this
[00:28:07] comprehensive view of a company's environmental impact.
[00:28:12] That single scientific point of view is so important and I love where this could lead to as well.
[00:28:19] If you look to the future, how do you see the role of technology evolving in environmental
[00:28:25] sustainability?
[00:28:26] Are there any new capabilities that might be necessary to meet rising demands of environmental
[00:28:33] reporting and accountability in the near future?
[00:28:36] Because it's a huge talking point now and entire nations are all looking for answers.
[00:28:41] I love this single version of the truth, the scientific version of truth that you're creating.
[00:28:46] But where do you see this heading in the future?
[00:28:49] I think that we are in the stage where I think that not all but most of the people understand
[00:29:01] the stake of the over-tell crisis.
[00:29:06] Even most of, including, as I said, not only in the United States, big politicians,
[00:29:14] underestimate this problem.
[00:29:16] So we are at this stage.
[00:29:21] We are not, and this is what we prepare, the stage where you realize the reality of the
[00:29:28] impact, the reality of the consequences on the future of humanity.
[00:29:35] Because you know that the United Nations said that the first time that humanity could
[00:29:41] disappear, not in 2000 century.
[00:29:47] We are in front of a big crisis, even nobody take care of that.
[00:29:53] So now the technology, I just explained that without technology, you can't take the reality
[00:30:02] of the problem and you can't access to the key leverage on which you can act.
[00:30:07] And I think that the other story that I hear a lot, which is the technology will save us.
[00:30:16] So don't be afraid, I wait for it is not true.
[00:30:21] It is not true because it will be too late if we wait for the evolution of technology.
[00:30:28] But the technology can still give us a tool and the access of the key leverage on which
[00:30:35] we can act, not only to reduce the footprint of the existing product, but to change all
[00:30:44] the business model of the company.
[00:30:46] This is a future for me.
[00:30:48] The future is now, and I say this to our customer, you discover your real impact.
[00:30:55] You discover the key certificate.
[00:30:57] You discover the leverage to reduce.
[00:31:00] Now, let me take an example.
[00:31:03] I have a lot of customers in the textile industry, but not only.
[00:31:09] Imagine after having done a lot of drawing for a trademark, whatever, Lacoste, Ralph
[00:31:18] Lawrence, they have done a wonderful job to reduce from say 50% of their footprint.
[00:31:25] It will be not enough.
[00:31:27] So the question is, yes, we have to start with that.
[00:31:31] It will be the next step if to change the business model.
[00:31:35] Probably we are in a world where we will not sell apparel and footwear.
[00:31:41] We will run that with a perfect security, to be sure.
[00:31:46] But this means I don't speak about the definition of the growth.
[00:31:51] I would prefer not to say we have to stop the growth.
[00:31:58] I prefer to change the...
[00:32:06] How can I say?
[00:32:07] It's more than a disruption.
[00:32:09] You have to totally change the way we consider the notion of business model development.
[00:32:19] So technology can allow us to try to figure out how to...
[00:32:25] Because all activity has an impact.
[00:32:30] So the question is how to continue to have activity, which kind of activity,
[00:32:35] which can be compatible with this famous nine planetary boundaries.
[00:32:44] Because this is important that the people said that the planet was done with specific balance,
[00:32:53] specific planetary boundaries limits.
[00:33:00] In the past, there was no industry.
[00:33:05] So the nature herself can solve the amount of carbon footprint, which was
[00:33:15] stored in trees and so on.
[00:33:18] Now there is a bigger problem of sustainability of the activity more intensive and so on and so on.
[00:33:26] With this approach, more scientific and using technology, we can imagine
[00:33:33] what we have to do now for the next century, this new model, which could be sustainable.
[00:33:40] This is possible.
[00:33:42] And my vision is not to say technology will save us.
[00:33:48] No.
[00:33:49] Yeah, technology will help us to redefine our way to be in this planet by activities,
[00:34:00] because human need activities, need to create, need to develop, not in the same way.
[00:34:08] So the technology and the ER must be at the origin of understanding the problem
[00:34:16] and imagine new model of development, which is not necessarily what we have today.
[00:34:23] And I think that is a powerful moment to end on.
[00:34:26] I cannot thank you enough for coming on here and sharing your insights,
[00:34:30] but I'm going to see if there's something we can do for you now in return for your time today.
[00:34:34] And some of the biggest names in business, VC funding and tech have either been guests
[00:34:39] or may even listen to this podcast.
[00:34:41] So is there one person that you'd love to have a private breakfast or lunch with?
[00:34:46] Who would it be and why?
[00:34:47] Because he or she might just be listening to this.
[00:34:50] And let's see what we can manifest together here.
[00:34:53] Who would it be and why?
[00:34:55] Two people.
[00:34:57] Let's start by John Kerry, which is Mr. Climate of President Biden.
[00:35:05] I would say, I want to explain to Mr. Biden that climate change is not the only...
[00:35:14] The big stake of our country is not only climate.
[00:35:18] And I'm sure, I want to convince him on his future will be in the White House.
[00:35:25] Let's say, Trump or whatever.
[00:35:28] Politicians at this level have to know first what is the stake and what is the real deal of the crisis.
[00:35:36] So this is key for me because without political decision like the one I share with you,
[00:35:46] we can't achieve that.
[00:35:48] And you know that the political decision could be to defend rule, obligation, but also
[00:35:57] to don't choose here only to replace human, but to use EA to help us to understand this
[00:36:06] very difficult problem.
[00:36:08] And the second one will be probably, let's say, either the CEO of Google, the guy or the woman
[00:36:17] in Google who is in charge of sustainability.
[00:36:19] Google can play a wonderful role, a wonderful contribution.
[00:36:28] But if they take into consideration all these specific dimensions and if they don't avoid
[00:36:34] the most important leverage and the most important stake of this so big problem that humanity
[00:36:47] face.
[00:36:47] And why Google?
[00:36:49] Because I think that this big company has to give the example, has to be a pioneer.
[00:36:57] They were a pioneer for technology.
[00:37:00] And you know that better than anybody.
[00:37:03] The pioneer of technology must be also a pioneer of this new high rail, of the real
[00:37:13] business model which is sustainable or compatible with these nine planetary boundaries.
[00:37:22] And this is for me very important because, you know, I will end by this.
[00:37:31] I can give you the name of this wonderful big brand in the world who just sent me a
[00:37:38] literature to tender.
[00:37:41] This is one of the most well-known trademark in the luxury, you know.
[00:37:50] And said in their paper, they said to me, we are the most in creativity.
[00:37:58] We are the most in quality.
[00:38:00] We want to become also the most in auto performance.
[00:38:05] And you know, you know, United States better than me.
[00:38:09] And in Europe we love America.
[00:38:12] We don't forget what America has done for us in the Second World War.
[00:38:20] America have to accept the fact that us in Europe have invented this method.
[00:38:27] They don't have this advantage in the scientific approach of this.
[00:38:31] But they are probably the one who could implement in the large scale this approach.
[00:38:41] And I would be glad to convince a CEO of Google to invest as much money in this subject
[00:38:53] than it invests in AI, you know.
[00:38:56] Because this is a question of our existence, not only future existence.
[00:39:06] And I think that I know that a big company in United States want to solve the death problem.
[00:39:16] But the planet will solve the problem before that if we don't do the right thing in order
[00:39:24] to stop this crazy world where we are.
[00:39:33] We have no limits.
[00:39:36] But unfortunately, the nine, and don't forget that six of these nine limit is already done.
[00:39:48] You know, so I think that this systemic dimension of the enterprises must be at the birth of
[00:39:55] what all technology company have to address.
[00:39:59] As it is why we want, that is why we try to do.
[00:40:03] And I think that is a powerful moment to end the podcast on today.
[00:40:07] And I completely agree with you in this.
[00:40:10] You can't improve what you don't measure.
[00:40:12] And I hope that we'll have a lot of brands listening all around the world that want to
[00:40:16] start measuring that difference that they can make.
[00:40:18] And anybody listening wanting to find out more information about Glimpact, about your technology,
[00:40:24] about the work that you're doing, where would you like everyone listening to check out?
[00:40:29] Is there a website or somewhere you'd like to point out?
[00:40:31] So I have two things and I'm glad to give you this scoop, Neil.
[00:40:36] So first of all, they can reach us on www.glimpact.com.
[00:40:46] So and we now are in a unit set and we will launch next week or the week after a specific
[00:40:55] mobile phone application which name is MyGlimpact.
[00:41:01] And MyGlimpact, we allow all citizens and I want you, Neil, to be the first to measure
[00:41:11] your own overall footprint according to the PEF method and taking into account the 16
[00:41:19] impact categories of the human activity in the planet.
[00:41:24] So you will be surprised because this application, in fact, measures your overall footprint.
[00:41:29] You know how?
[00:41:31] It gives you the number of planets that must be if all citizens in the world have the same
[00:41:41] behavior as you, you know.
[00:41:44] So it means your result for me, my first one was five planets.
[00:41:48] Five planets and through this application, I achieved the goal to reduce of 2.3 planets,
[00:41:58] which is too much, but better than five.
[00:42:01] But you will be surprised.
[00:42:03] I have some of my, this application was just finished for United States and this is what
[00:42:12] we launched.
[00:42:13] We did launch in several days and you will be surprised for the number of planets, you
[00:42:19] know.
[00:42:21] Because in United States, as in Europe, every activity has a number of footprint and this
[00:42:31] application can allow you first to see where you are in terms of number of planets.
[00:42:38] And which is not the most important, but it was easy.
[00:42:42] How you will commit in order to reduce it.
[00:42:45] So in other words, two planets is not good.
[00:42:49] Nine planets is not good.
[00:42:50] Ten planets is not good.
[00:42:52] But if you reduce from five, it's good.
[00:42:56] I will get links added to everything you just mentioned, including the app.
[00:43:00] And I promise you, I will download it and check that out myself.
[00:43:04] And we covered so much there from critiquing the current state of eco labeling and doing
[00:43:09] it through a technology lens and learning how tech can actually help us understand what
[00:43:14] true sustainability looks like and how AI can help consumer brands to become more sustainable
[00:43:20] and do it the right way with a scientific single version of the truth.
[00:43:24] But more than anything, just thank you for shining a light on this critical topic today.
[00:43:28] Really appreciate your time.
[00:43:30] Thank you, Christophe.
[00:43:31] Thank you.
[00:43:32] Christophe is an absolute gentleman and I really do look forward to meeting him in person
[00:43:38] in Paris one day, a glass of wine maybe.
[00:43:41] But it's clear, having listened to his powerful message today that the journey to genuine
[00:43:47] sustainability is complex but essential.
[00:43:52] And technology, as we've discussed today, plays a crucial role in decoding and addressing
[00:43:58] this multifaceted challenge.
[00:44:01] And only by harnessing AI and data analytics can companies like Glymphact pave the way
[00:44:08] for a future where sustainability is embedded in every aspect of business.
[00:44:14] But the question remains, can the broader tech industry rise to the challenge and lead by
[00:44:20] example to ensure our planet's health is preserved?
[00:44:25] Please share your thoughts and join the conversation as we continue to seek innovative
[00:44:30] solutions to one of the most pressing issues of our time.
[00:44:35] And you can share your thoughts by emailing me, techblogwriteratoutlook.com, Twitter,
[00:44:39] LinkedIn, Instagram, just at Neil C. Hughes.
[00:44:41] Love to hear your thoughts on this one.
[00:44:43] But that's it for today.
[00:44:45] So I'll be back again tomorrow.
[00:44:46] We've got a completely different topic and I will beam your ears somewhere else in the
[00:44:50] world for another guest.
[00:44:52] But thank you for listening today and until next time, don't be a stranger.