Secure World Foundation Launches ESG in Space: A Podcast Series in Partnership with Exponential Academy

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Secure World Foundation is proud to introduce a new podcast series, "ESG in Space," in collaboration with Exponential Academy. As the private space sector continues to develop and evolve, the opportunities for growth in the space economy intersect with questions of sustainability, responsibility, and coordination. This limited series will examine a range of viewpoints from participants in the space economy on how sustainability and opportunity interact in this sector.

The "ESG in Space" podcast seeks to explore a range of viewpoints from participants in the space economy on how sustainability and opportunity interact in this sector. How does thinking about responsibility position the sector for growth? The series aims not to provide answers but to catalyze thought, discussion, and reaction. 

SWF and Exponential Academy will release a limited series of episodes over the coming weeks.  These episodes build on discussions from the 5th Summit for Space Sustainability and the hosts' analysis of current sustainability principles in commercial space. They follow an earlier SWF podcast series of interviews with leading experts in the realm of investment for outer space activities, looking at the role that "space sustainability" plays in deciding where to invest resources & the role of ESG considerations in space sector investing.

The inaugural episode features James Cemmell, a veteran in the space sector with 17 years of experience and the VP of Institutional Partnerships with Open Cosmos. James talks about the dynamic shift from government-dominated space endeavors to innovative private-sector projects that promise to reshape the space economy. The conversation covers everything from satellite usage in emerging markets to the future challenges of space traffic management.

Tune in to "ESG in Space" for insightful discussions illuminating the crucial role of ESG principles in the final frontier. Watch or listen to the first episode below or on your preferred podcast listening platform.

Key Timestamps

• [00:00:19]: Introduction by hosts Nishan Degnarain and Miki Sode
• [00:01:09]: James Cemmell's introduction and background in the space sector
• [00:01:57]: Discussion on the unpredictability and excitement in the space industry
• [00:02:26]: Reflections on the future challenges and opportunities in space
• [00:03:20]: Transition from government-led space missions to private-sector dominance
• [00:04:26]: Debate on regulatory approaches in space—freedom vs. coordination
• [00:05:37]: Success of satellite constellations and future mega-constellations
• [00:06:24]: Importance of coordination between satellite operators
• [00:07:12]: Growing international participation in space and its challenges
• [00:08:45]: Discussion on space industry coordination and future challenges
• [00:09:37]: Choices between exploiting or preserving space resources
• [00:10:32]: Challenges of bringing diverse international and commercial players together
• [00:11:45]: Use of satellite technology in remote and crisis regions
• [00:13:34]: The role of insurance and finance in the space sector
• [00:14:53]: Potential of the European Union to set global standards in space law
• [00:16:11]: Implications of space sustainability for global governance
• [00:18:00]: Discussion on shared data initiatives and space sector collaboration
• [00:19:10]: The role of emerging space economies in shaping the future of space commerce
• [00:20:13]: Global impact of the EU's upcoming space law

If you are interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the purpose and creation of this podcast, please watch a quick look on our YouTube Channel. 

About Exponential Academy

With a vision to drive meaningful change, Exponential Academy emerged from a deep commitment to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Recognizing the transformative power of exponential technologies, the academy harnesses these innovations to create a ripple effect across industries. Their goal is to align businesses with the global sustainability agenda while leveraging cutting-edge solutions to meet the challenges of our time. Learn more about Exponential Academy at exponentialacademy.org.