PODCAST
Regional Insights Americas
Sustainability as strategy: Unlocking value and competitive advantage
This podcast is designed for executives who need actionable insights, not just buzzwords. Each episode features candid conversations with industry leaders who tackle sustainability head-on, deploy innovative solutions, and drive real commercial impact. We explore how to unlock value through sustainability—whether it’s by transforming operations, leveraging technology, or rethinking supply chains.
If you’re looking for fresh perspectives, practical strategies, and a clear view of what it takes to achieve sustainable growth, this podcast series is for you. Join us every month as we bring you a new expert voice, fresh insights, and real-world strategies to help you turn sustainability into a competitive advantage—subscribe now and stay ahead of the curve!
"From 2000 to 2020, grid demand was flat. Now, data centers are arriving with decades worth of growth in just a few years. "
Episode 6: Power Generation and the Grid
As AI data centers surge across the U.S., the pressure on the power grid is reaching a breaking point. In this episode of Sustainability as Strategy, Partner Ben Lowe talks about the supply chain disruptions, turbine shortages, interconnection delays, and shifting policies reshaping how and where we generate power. Whether you're a utility exec, manufacturer, or data center developer, this conversation offers timely insights on how to navigate a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
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"Meeting the load growth from AI is the most critical challenge utilities and merchant generators will face over the next 10 years. "
Episode 5: Sustainability in Utilities and Energy Transformation
In this episode, Roland Berger Senior Partner Chris Millican unpacks the seismic shifts reshaping the utilities sector—from the newly passed OBBBA bill to AI-driven energy demand and the mounting pressure of supply chain and affordability constraints. Chris dives deep into what these changes mean for renewables, storage, and nuclear—and why integrated resource plans (IRPs) across the country are due for a serious reckoning. He also explores how utilities are balancing sustainability goals with real-world infrastructure challenges, and where innovative partnerships, customer engagement, and smarter transmission planning are making an impact. If you're curious how utilities can keep the lights on while reimagining the future of energy, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
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"You don’t need futuristic technology to make your supply chain more sustainable. You can start today by reducing miles, shifting modes, and improving utilization."
Episode 4: Supply Chain and Sustainability
In this episode of Sustainability as Strategy, Roland Berger Partner Raj Kumar joins host Sean McMahon to explore how companies can make their supply chains more sustainable—without waiting for futuristic tech. Raj outlines a practical approach centered on three core levers: reducing miles, shifting modes of transport, and improving utilization. He shares real-world examples, including how a tequila company cut its carbon footprint by 30% and how smarter routing helped a retailer boost truck utilization from 60% to 85%. The conversation also dives into the surprising role tariffs can play in accelerating sustainability by reshaping global sourcing strategies. If you’re looking for actionable insights at the intersection of logistics, cost, and carbon, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
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Episode 3: Trump 2.0, tariffs and the global energy transition with Zach Kaplan
This episode, we dive into the complexities of U.S. energy policy, particularly around the impact of tariffs and the challenges of reshoring manufacturing. Zach Kaplan, Partner in the Energy practice, explores the long-term economic effects of these tariffs, questioning whether the U.S. has the workforce, infrastructure, and capital to meet the ambitious goals set by policymakers. This conversation also touches on the shifting global landscape, as countries begin to prioritize regional energy transition plans, reducing dependency on the U.S. and rethinking multilateral commitments. Zach highlights the need for pragmatic solutions to address both short-term policy volatility and long-term industrial reorientation. Don’t miss out on this exciting episode—listen now!
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"Sustainability and digital transformation go hand in hand. By leveraging data, companies can optimize energy use, streamline supply chains, and reduce waste, all while improving profitability. The key is pragmatic solutions that drive both business and environmental impact."
Episode 2: Sustainability in Digital with Philipp Leutiger
As businesses navigate the evolving landscape of sustainability, digital tools are proving to be a game-changer. Philipp Leutiger , Head Partner of the Digital practice in the Americas, explores how companies can align financial and sustainability goals, leverage AI to reduce waste, and break down operational silos to drive efficiency. From addressing supply chain inefficiencies to rethinking the role of green premiums, this episode offers practical insights into making sustainability a value generator—not just a cost. Listen now!
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"Companies must prepare for a slow-maturing low-carbon hydrogen economy by understanding customer willingness to pay for green solutions across applications, while navigating a dynamic and multi-layer policy environment."
Episode 1: Sustainability at CES 2025 and the future of the hydrogen economy with Diego Ibarra
With many executives keen to learn more about how leveraging a 'green premium' can help shape strategy and drive overall performance, increased attention is being paid to how organizations power their operations. Dr. Diego Ibarra from Roland Berger Americas takes a close look at the hydrogen economy and outlines how evolving market conditions and policy initiatives are having an impact on this promising sector of the energy industry. Listen now!
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