Best Intergovernmental Podcasts (2025)

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Environmental negotiations: Discussions that shape our future 57:58

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28d ago57:58

57:58

In this episode, Dwayne Appleby and Andre Mader had an illuminating discussion about multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and their negotiations. Their guest was none other than IGES Executive Director, Hiroshi Ono. With a wealth of experience as part of Japan’s negotiation team at various meetings in the past, Ono-san sheds light on how th…

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SDG10 and Beyond: Ensuring a Just Transition for All 1:05:46

6M ago1:05:46

1:05:46

Join us on "About Sustainability," a podcast by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). In this episode, we explore what the just transition means, tracing its roots back to labour movements of the 1970s and its evolution into international debates and sustainable frameworks. Our guests share innovative case studies that showcase …

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Depopulation, shrinking cities and urban-rural migration 1:00:28

11M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

In this episode Alice Yamabe and Andre Mader speak with two IGES colleagues, Fernando Ortiz Moya and Yasuo Takahashi, about the phenomenon of depopulation. Fernando has been studying shrinking cities, and Yasuo has been doing research on urban to rural migration, so we have two quite different angles on this subject. To many it may seem counterintu…

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Let's talk about the material footprint and its significance for sustainability 1:04:10

1y ago1:04:10

1:04:10

In this episode of About Sustainability, we talked to Heinz Schandl, who joined us from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which is an Australian Government agency responsible for scientific research. He is an expert on natural resource use, and international resource flows. Among other things, Heinz explained…

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A few perspectives on UNEP's 6th Environment Assembly and its "OECPR" 34:19

1+ y ago34:19

34:19

In this episode Alice and Andre talked to Simon about the United Nations Environment Assembly, also known as UNEA, which is the decision-making body of the United Nations Environment Programme. UNEA takes place in Nairobi every second year and it is always preceded by the so-called OECPR, which stands for the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Repre…

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Episode #73 Losing 39:39

1+ y ago39:39

39:39

In Episode #73, we discuss Losing. When did we turn into a nation of whiners who can't accept that sometimes we don't win? Every day, we can lose a game, a job, and an election. We can do so much in losing that makes us better, more intelligent, and more resilient. Introducing Wimmer's Wilderness, a Podcast that offers a unique perspective on Polit…

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Looking back on the career of emeritus IGES Executive Director, Hideyuki Mori 38:21

1+ y ago38:21

38:21

On this episode of About Sustainability…, Andre, Alice and Simon celebrate the contribution of an IGES legend, Mr Hideyuki Mori. Mori-san has been a leader at IGES for most of the institute’s history, following diverse experience at other institutions including the United Nations Environment Programme and Asian Development Bank. He retired last yea…

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About Climate Action (SDG 13): Framing Climate Change as a Security Issue and Outcomes of UNFCCC-COP28 57:55

1+ y ago57:55

57:55

On this episode of About Sustainability…, Alice and Erin were joined by Naoyuki OKANO and Nagisa SHIIBA, IGES experts working on Climate Adaptation. This episode, recorded in December 2023, offers a quick recap of what happened at COP28 in Dubai and then dives deep into the far-reaching impacts of climate change on human security. Hosted in Dubai, …

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Tackling plastic pollution: Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) updates 39:11

1+ y ago39:11

39:11

On this episode of About Sustainability…, Erin, Alice, and Simon were joined by Matthew Hengesbaugh and Chochoe Devaporihartakula, IGES experts working on plastic pollution. While plastics have been an indispensable part of modern life, plastic pollution has entered the public consciousness in recent years. It is an issue that most of us encounter …

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A life dedicated to the environment 59:05

2y ago59:05

59:05

It’s been a while since our last installment but today’s episode is a special interview with a long-serving member of IGES who has had a fascinating career, from which he just recently retired. Peter King has been based at IGES’s office in Bangkok, but has been mentor and advisor to many of us at IGES. In a wide-ranging discussion Alice, Shom, Simo…

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Episode #72 Interview with Northwoods Bakery 35:12

2y ago35:12

35:12

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SDG7: Affordable and Clean Energy 52:30

2+ y ago52:30

52:30

Our guest on this episode is Akihisa Kuriyama, a policy researcher in IGES’ Climate & Energy Unit. He joins us to talk about SDG7 on energy. We spoke about the relationship between energy and climate; what’s new about SDG 7 in the global discussion on energy; some of the barriers and challenges in achieving the goal; the possibilities of nuclear en…

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Updates from the ongoing political and scientific processes to reduce plastic pollution 46:39

2+ y ago46:39

46:39

In this episode we met with Amila from IGES who shared the latest updates on international plastics governance. Among others, he described details on the international negotiations committee that was formed last year to define a legally binding instrument to curb plastic pollution. We heard who is on that committee and what they do when they meet. …

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SDG6: Water, water everywhere, but how is it managed? 48:04

2+ y ago48:04

48:04

In this episode of About Sustainability… Erin and Bob talked to Binaya Raj Shivakoti, an IGES expert in the Adaptation and Water team, about SDG6, which is on “ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” (or simply ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’). This goal’s environmental dimensions are clear, and has targets on…

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SDG5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 50:47

2+ y ago50:47

50:47

In this episode of About Sustainability..., Andre and Erin spoke with their colleague, Maiko Morishita, about SDG5, on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. Maiko is part of the IGES finance task force, which covers a variety of topics but she also previously worked in the NGO world where gender was a key component of her wo…

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Episode #71 15 Minutes or Less - Private Money 15:27

2+ y ago15:27

15:27

We discuss the history of Private Money and how it relates to cryptocurrencies, script, and seashells. Finally, I share the story of the one and only Emperor of the United States and warn against financial manipulation.By George Wimmer

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Regional or Local Circulating and Ecological Spheres (CES) - Sustainability Afoot #2 29:05

2+ y ago29:05

29:05

In this episode of About Sustainability… In episode 2 of the Sustainability Afoot series, Bob took a walk with Dr. Bijon Kumer Mitra to find out what Regional/Local CES (Regional or Local Circulating and Ecological Spheres) is. In brief, CES is an approach supported by the Government of Japan that is focused on bottom-up policy development that see…

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Episode #70 15 Minutes or Less - Progressive Tax 15:33

2+ y ago15:33

15:33

We discuss Flat Tax versus Progressive Tax. Those that benefit most should pay the most.By George Wimmer

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Renewing Commitments to Nature: Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework 30:32

3y ago30:32

30:32

In this episode of About Sustainability… Erin and Simon caught up with Andre just before his trip to Montreal, Canada for the second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15). A few things have changed since the release of our CBD episode back in March. CBD COP15 will now be conv…

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Circular Economy (Sustainability Afoot #1) 32:43

3y ago32:43

32:43

In this episode of About Sustainability… Bob kicked off a new experimental format, tentatively called “Sustainability Afoot”. The concept is simple: go for a walk near the headquarters of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Hayama, Japan, and discuss some basic questions about a topic, concept, or methodology that IGES works…

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SDG4 (part 2): Education and sustainable development - are we teaching the right things? 35:59

3y ago35:59

35:59

This is the second part of our episode on SDG4 and education for sustainable development. In this part we focused on whether the right skills are taught in schools to equip people with skills and priorities necessary to bring about a more sustainable world rather than one characterized by competition and scarcity. Robert shared more information and…

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SDG4 (part 1): Why is education so important for sustainable development? 40:08

3y ago40:08

40:08

In this episode we talked with our good friend Robert Didham. He is Centre Director and Associate Professor at the Centre for Collaborative Learning for Sustainable Development Faculty of Education, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. We talked to Robert about education for sustainable development and its place in Agenda 2030 as SDG 4. He…

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SDG3: Good Health and Well-Being 1:05:27

3y ago1:05:27

1:05:27

In this episode of About Sustainability..., Erin, Andre, and Bob invited Eric Zusman back to talk about SDG3 on Health. Eric works on co-benefits between air pollution mitigation and climate action, which has significant implications for public health. Meanwhile, Erin provided some context and perspectives based on her public health background. We …

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SDG2: Zero Hunger 1:13:42

3y ago1:13:42

1:13:42

In the second episode of our series on SDGs, Simon, Andre and Erin invited Prabhakar SVRK, who knows a lot about climate adaptation, food and agriculture. Focusing on SDG2 on Zero Hunger, we talked about the challenges to achieve a world free from hunger while trying to reduce fossil fuel use to limit climate change, given the significant fossil fu…

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SDG1: No Poverty 1:02:19

3y ago1:02:19

1:02:19

What’s in an SDG? In an effort to more deeply understand the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), over the next few months, the About Sustainability… podcast will zoom in on each of them in turn. We will invite experts to join us and parse out more about an individual goal, where we are in terms of achieving it, and the challenges it presents. We …

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Can the World Achieve the SDGs? Part 2 of 2 40:08

3y ago40:08

40:08

This is part 2 of the broad discussion that André, Bob, Erin, and Simon went into, which began with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and why it seems so challenging for the world to achieve the goals. Part 2 of the discussion started with Erin’s question on whether the issue with the capitalist system is that negative environmental external…

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Can the World Achieve the SDGs? Part 1 of 2 46:30

3y ago46:30

46:30

This time, Andre, Bob, Erin, and Simon went into a broader discussion around the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and why it seems so challenging for the world to achieve the goals despite them constituting the ‘good’ of development. The discussion touched upon many items, including how the SDGs are different than the Millennium Development Goa…

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Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (APRCEM) 43:37

3+ y ago43:37

43:37

Andre and Erin had a chance to talk to a fascinating person named Wardarina about civic engagement, especially focusing on the Asia-Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (APRCEM). Simon joined the discussion to provide additional insights, as he too has a lot of experience engaging in this space. Wardarina (or Rina, as she is often known) is cu…

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The IPCC 6th Assessment Report: experiences and key messages from some Working Group III authors 49:58

3+ y ago49:58

49:58

Bob and André talked to Sudarmanto Budi Nugroho (“Toto”) and Eric Zusman, two IGES experts who were involved in Working Group III (Climate Mitigation) of the 6th Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The latest report in the IPCC AR6 series, the WGIII Report summarises the latest knowledge on climate mitig…

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Bonus Episode: Are Trees Really the Answer? 21:32

3+ y ago21:32

21:32

In this bonus episode of About Sustainability…, André, Bob, Erin, and Simon briefly discussed people’s relationship with nature, from local communities that use natural resources in a low-impact way to large-scale efforts around the world to plant trees. This side conversation happened during our discussion on the Convention on Biological Diversity…

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UNEA-5.2: Some Key Outcomes on Nature and Plastics 46:27

3+ y ago46:27

46:27

In this episode of About Sustainability…, Simon and Erin followed up with Andre and IGES colleague Amila Abeynayaka, an expert on plastics management, on some of the recent outcomes from UNEA-5.2, the second part of the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). At this year’s UNEA, governments managed to find consensus on 14 …

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Convention on Biological Diversity 41:37

3+ y ago41:37

41:37

This time Erin, Bob, and Simon talked to Andre about the Convention on Biological Diversity, or CBD, and the upcoming 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD (CBD-COP15). This meeting is expected to be held in Kunming later in 2022. The conversation touched upon the purposes of the CBD and who its members are. Andre also explained …

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APFSD & HLPF: Reviewing SDG progress 42:34

3+ y ago42:34

42:34

This time, Andre, Erin, and Simon spoke with Nobue Amanuma, a Deputy Director at the IGES Integrated Sustainability Centre. Nobue and Simon have been quite deeply involved in IGES work on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We discussed the SDGs, and in particular two key upcoming meetings that review countries’ progress toward them. The Asia…

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What is UNEA-5.2? 48:25

3+ y ago48:25

48:25

Simon shares his knowledge on UNEA-5.2, the second half of UNEP’s biennial United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). UNEA functions as the world’s parliament on the environment, where global environment ministers congregate to debate and decide on priorities of environmental concern in the cont…

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Episode #69 Springhill Heritage Farm 1:08:54

4y ago1:08:54

1:08:54

Episode #69 of Wimmer's Wilderness Podcast focuses on local food production with Marissa of Springhill Heritage Farm in Chetek, Wisconsin. We explore the three-year journey to transfer a dream of locally raised beef, pork, turkey, and chickens in a free-range environment. The low-stress healthy, raised animals provide safe, great-tasting options fo…

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Episode #68 Community Brief Education 19:12

4y ago19:12

19:12

Today's Community Brief discusses how Critical Race Theory has been turned into the latest boogeyman to scare parents and voters. Then, we delve into Texas's new education laws and the chilly impact they will have on teaching critical thinkers. The overarching theme is to lower the heat on all these issues, listen to each other and follow the facts…

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Episode #67 Community Update Zoning 14:00

4y ago14:00

14:00

We discuss the changes in residential zoning and the impacts it might have on our Communities. Wimmer’s Wilderness is an informed look at Politics, Community, Government, Environment, and Education from a local perspective. Our regions, states, and countries are simply a collection of local communities working together. If we can make a positive ch…

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Episode #66 Community Briefing 9/21/21 35:21

4y ago35:21

35:21

Episode #66 of Wimmer's Wilderness Podcast launches our Community Briefing series. We discuss four articles regarding issues that impact local communities. We look at the results of a school district's review of their buildings, a Florida poll on environmental protections, local communities spending federal dollars, and how North Carolina is elimin…

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Episode #65 Yertle the Turtle 39:01

4y ago39:01

39:01

In Episode #65, we read Yertle the Turtle and discuss this great work's political, social, and economic importance. You heard me right. Dr. Seuss's Yertle the Turtle is a marvelous, thought-provoking piece of literature. A society where all the turtles are happy, well-fed, and enjoy personal freedom turned into an authoritarian nightmare. Thankfull…

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Episode #64 The Bill of Rights 1:01:43

4y ago1:01:43

1:01:43

In Episode #64, we discuss The Bill of Rights, its history, and what it means to us today. The Constitution is a living document that we must continually examine to improve as we grow as a Country. We explore the fights for and against The Bill of Rights and how its biggest detractor became its champion. James Madison, George Mason, the Federalist,…

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Episode #63 Memorial Day 30:10

4+ y ago30:10

30:10

We discuss the importance of Memorial Day in Episode #63. We listen to Ronald Reagan's 1986 Memorial Day Speech then give some interesting historical facts about Memorial Day. I make a plea to please respect the importance of the Day and to remember our fallen Heros.By George Wimmer

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Episode #62 Week in Review May 22, 2021 23:47

4+ y ago23:47

23:47

In this Week in Review, we discuss social media and who is really to blame for its influence on society. How was social media used to influence a local election? As in most of our episodes, we have a bit of a history lesson to start us out. Go to wimmerswilderness.org to learn more about what we are accomplishing.…

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Episode #61 April 30th Week in Review 24:15

4+ y ago24:15

24:15

In this Week in Review, we discuss Resiliency planning on South Dakota and Nebraska Ranches. How improving grazing management, wildlife habitat, and water quality all improve the ranches and the environment. I highlight some issues with the American Rescue Plan recently signed into law. Many local governments had received excessive Federal payments…

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Episode #60 Week in Review April 23rd 2021 24:54

4+ y ago24:54

24:54

Launching a Week in Review Series that covers several topics each week that last 15 to 20 minutes per episode. This week Florida, Texas, Indiana and Georgia provide us stories covering Local Control, Public Health and Climate Change. This Episode is broadcast on Wimmer's Wilderness Facebook live.By George Wimmer

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Episode #59 2021 Update 18:38

4+ y ago18:38

18:38

Update on what is happening in Wimmer's Wilderness. May podcast episodes titled Inflation, Yertle the Turtle, Biggest Personalities in Congress and Running for Electric Cooperative Board. I discuss the upcoming launch of the Wimmer's Wilderness Store that will carry lip balm, honey, beeswax candles, shirts and hats.…

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Episode #58 The Public Good 57:31

4+ y ago57:31

57:31

In Episode #58, we hear Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1932 Portland speech, commonly known as the 'The Public Good Speech. After his speech, I discuss local electric cooperatives and energy companies. It is essential to highlight the good government can do and what happens when only a negative view of regulation exists. The Public Good must come first; o…

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Episode #57 Dr. King's Letter from the Birmingham Jail 55:47

4+ y ago55:47

55:47

In Episode #57, we hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Letter from the Birmingham Jail. After my brief introduction, we listen to Dr. King read his letter. It is a masterpiece of thought and persuasive argument. I hope you listen to his words and how he answers his critics, details the injustice, shows the path forward, and truthfully explains the suf…

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Episode #56, Conversation with GreenStep Co-Directors Kristin Mroz and Lola Schoenrich, 1:04:24

4+ y ago1:04:24

1:04:24

In episode #56, Conversation with GreenStep Co-Directors Kristin Mroz and Lola Schoenrich, we explore the positive contributions local communities can have on our lives. We cover a multitude of topics: Sustainability Renewable Energy Resiliency Green Space Equity Collaboration Youth Tribal Nations Local Communities Comprehensive Solutions Climate C…

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Episode #55 Conversation with Chiara Riolfi of BeeVital 53:01

4+ y ago53:01

53:01

Episode #55 of Wimmer's Wilderness Podcast features our first international conversation with BeeVital's very own Chiara Riolfi. BeeVital is an Austrian Company specializing in honeybee health. Chiara shared a great deal of information about honeybees in numerous countries, regulatory issues when bringing a product to market and how a science-based…

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Episode #54 Conversation with Keith Dragisich about Community Banking 1:31:17

4+ y ago1:31:17

1:31:17

In today's Episode of Wimer's Wilderness, we have a conversation with Keith Dragisich, Vice President and Chief Development Officer, about Community Banking. What is a community bank? It is a locally owned and operated financial institution. They address the needs of a community by offering loans to small-business owners or personal loans to indivi…