Larissa Marolt Freund Career Trajectory and Impactful

Notable Projects and Case Studies in Sustainability Policy and Corporate Governance

Project Leadership in Climate Governance and Corporate Accountability

Problem-Solving in Complex Policy-Corporate Governance Scenarios

Case 1: Resolving Conflicts in Cross-Border Carbon Pricing
In a project for a European automotive manufacturer expanding into Southeast Asia, Larissa faced conflicting carbon pricing mechanisms between the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) and nascent regional carbon markets. The company’s board resisted additional compliance costs, while local governments demanded subsidies for domestic producers.

Her solution involved:

Result: The manufacturer became the first foreign automaker in the region to achieve carbon-neutral status under both frameworks, cutting compliance costs by 35% while expanding market share by 20%.

Case 2: Decoupling Growth from Deforestation in Agribusiness
A global agribusiness client sought to eliminate deforestation from its palm oil supply chain but encountered pushback from suppliers in Indonesia, where smallholders relied on land clearing for livelihoods. Lar

Public Speaking and Thought Leadership

Her contributions to thought leadership are distinguished by a focus on systemic change, ethical corporate behavior, and the intersection of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Whether engaging in technical discussions on carbon accounting or advocating for inclusive sustainability frameworks, her work emphasizes actionable insights rooted in empirical research and real-world case studies.

Conferences, Webinars, and Panel Discussions

A notable example is her participation in the WEF’s Global Risks Report 2023, where she moderated a panel on "Aligning Corporate Governance with Net-Zero Commitments", addressing challenges such as greenwashing, board-level oversight, and the need for standardized reporting frameworks. In this session, she emphasized:

"The gap between ambition and execution in net-zero pledges is widening. Governance structures must evolve from compliance-driven models to adaptive systems that incentivize transparency and accountability—starting with boardrooms."

Her speaking style adapts to the context: in academic settings, she adopts a data-driven, evidence-based approach, while in corporate environments, she prioritizes storytelling and scenario-based learning to illustrate risks and opportunities. Below is a comparison of her messaging across platforms:

• Academic/Research-Oriented Platforms (e.g., universities, policy think tanks):
  • Focuses on peer-reviewed frameworks, such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) or Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
  • Uses case studies (e.g., failed ESG disclosures in the energy sector) to highlight governance failures.
  • Employs technical language (e.g., "materiality assessments," "double materiality") to engage stakeholders with deep expertise.
  • Example: At the Oxford Sustainable Finance Programme, she presented on "The Governance Deficit in Sustainable Investment Portfolios," critiquing the reliance on third-party ratings without independent verification.
• Corporate/Executive Forums (e.g., WEF, Fortune Global Forum):
  • Leverages narrative-driven insights, such as the "tragedy of the horizon" (a concept from climate scientist Johan Rockström) to illustrate long-term risks.
  • Incorporates interactive elements, like audience polling on ESG maturity levels, to foster engagement.
  • Simplifies complex topics (e.g., explaining integrated reporting as a "dashboard for sustainability performance").
  • Example: At the Fortune Sustainable Business Summit 2022, she delivered a keynote on "Why Governance is the Missing Link in ESG," where she shared a hypothetical scenario of a board overlooking a supplier’s human rights violations due to fragmented oversight.
• Public/Policy-Oriented Events (e.g., COP, UN Side Events):
  • Advocates for systemic solutions, such as mandatory ESG disclosure laws or shareholder rights reforms.
  • Highlights geopolitical disparities in sustainability governance (e.g., differing standards in the Global North vs. South).
  • Uses comparative analysis (e.g., contrasting the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) with weaker U.S. frameworks).
  • Example: During COP27, she co-authored a panel on "The Governance Gap in Global Supply Chains," where she argued that voluntary initiatives (e.g., OECD Due Diligence Guidance) lack enforcement mechanisms.

Written Thought Leadership

Her most cited works include:

Article: "Governance Gaps in Corporate Net-Zero Pledges" (Harvard Business Review, 2022)

• Challenges the assumption that voluntary pledges (e.g., Science Based Targets) suffice without board-level accountability.
• Proposes a "Net-Zero Governance Scorecard" to assess companies on metrics like board expertise, stakeholder engagement, and risk management.
• Cited in the EU’s 2023 Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive as a reference for governance best practices.

Op-Ed: "Why ESG Ratings Are Failing Us" (Financial Times, 2021)

• Criticizes the lack of standardization in ESG scoring, leading to inconsistencies (e.g., a coal company rated "A" for governance while failing on emissions).
• Advocates for regulatory intervention to mandate independent audits of ESG data.
• Triggered a debate that influenced the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)’s 2022 reporting framework.

Policy Brief: "The Boardroom’s Climate Blind Spot" (World Resources Institute, 2020)

• Analyzes 100+ corporate boards and finds that only 12% have dedicated sustainability committees, despite climate risks being material.
• Recommends mandatory climate literacy requirements for directors, modeled after Norway’s pension fund governance rules.
• Influenced the UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) to include climate governance in its Stewardship Code 2022.

Her arguments frequently cite behavioral economics (e.g., the "endowment effect" in board decision-making) and corporate law (e.g., the duty of care in fiduciary responsibilities) to ground policy recommendations in actionable frameworks.

Industry Influence and Network

Key Organizations and Advisory Roles

• World Economic Forum (WEF) – Global Future Council on Sustainable Value Creation

  "Sustainability must be redefined as a driver of value, not a cost."

  As a member of the WEF’s Global Future Council, Marolt Freund advises on integrating sustainability into corporate value chains, particularly in sectors like finance, energy, and technology. Her contributions focus on aligning ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics with long-term business resilience, influencing the WEF’s Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics initiative. This role underscores her ability to translate global challenges into actionable frameworks for multinational corporations.
• United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) – Local Networks and Advisory Board
  Marolt Freund serves as an advisor to the UNGC’s European chapter, where she supports the implementation of the Ten Principles of corporate responsibility, including human rights, labor standards, and environmental protection. Her work emphasizes the role of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through the UNGC’s SDG Ambition program. She has co-authored reports on measuring non-financial performance, which have been adopted by over 15,000 participating businesses.
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) – Technical Committee on Sustainability
  In her capacity as a subject-matter expert for ISO/TC 207 (Environmental Management), Marolt Freund has influenced the development of standards such as ISO 37001 (Anti-Bribery Management Systems) and ISO 26000 (Social Responsibility). Her input ensures these frameworks are adaptable to diverse economic contexts, including emerging markets. Notably, she contributed to the revision of ISO 14001, which now incorporates lifecycle thinking and circular economy principles, aligning with the EU’s Green Deal objectives.
• European Commission – High-Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance
  Appointed to the European Commission’s expert group, Marolt Freund advised on the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities. Her expertise in corporate governance helped refine disclosure requirements for financial institutions, ensuring transparency in ESG investments. The group’s recommendations directly informed the EU Action Plan on Sustainable Finance, which mandates non-financial reporting for over 11,000 companies.
• The B Team – Corporate Leadership for the Global Goals
  As a strategic advisor to The B Team, Marolt Freund collaborates with CEOs and entrepreneurs to embed the SDGs into business models. Her focus areas include collaborative governance and systems leadership, where she facilitates multi-stakeholder partnerships. For example, she co-designed the B Team’s CEO Commitment to the SDGs, a framework adopted by 30+ multinational companies, including Unilever and Maersk.

Professional Network and Collaborative Impact

Engagement in Industry Associations and Policy Advocacy

• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) – Standards Board
  As a board member, she oversaw revisions to the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards, particularly the Sector-Specific Disclosures for finance and energy. Her emphasis on materiality assessments led to the inclusion of Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) alignment in GRI’s framework, adopted by 93% of the world’s largest 250 companies.
• International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) – ESG Committee
  Marolt Freund’s leadership in the ICGN’s ESG Committee resulted in the Principles for Effective ESG Reporting, which were endorsed by institutional investors managing $40 trillion in assets. Her work on board diversity metrics influenced the EU Shareholder Rights Directive II, requiring gender-balanced boards for listed companies.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) – Systemic Change Task Force
  She co-authored the WBCSD’s Vision 2050, a roadmap for net-zero emissions, and led workshops on corporate lobbying transparency. Her contributions to the Policy Engagement Framework have been adopted by 200+ member companies, including Shell and Siemens, to align advocacy efforts with sustainability goals.
• Transparency International – Business Integrity Program
  In her advisory role, Marolt Freund developed anti-corruption governance tools for emerging markets, which were piloted in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Her input on supply chain due diligence informed the OECD’s Due
  

  Media Presence and Public Perception of Larissa Marolt Freund

  Larissa Marolt Freund’s influence extends beyond academic and corporate circles into mainstream media, where she is frequently cited as a thought leader on sustainability policy, corporate governance, and systemic change. Her public engagements—ranging from interviews in leading business and policy publications to appearances on influential podcasts—position her as a bridge between technical expertise and accessible discourse on sustainability challenges. Media portrayals often emphasize her authoritative yet collaborative tone, framing her as both a critical analyst of corporate accountability and a pragmatic advocate for scalable solutions. Below, her media footprint is documented, recurring thematic emphases in her messaging are identified, and the consistent narrative around her expertise in press coverage is examined.
  

  Media Appearances and Featured Platforms

  Marolt Freund’s media presence spans high-impact business, policy, and sustainability-focused outlets, reflecting her dual role as an academic and industry consultant. Her interviews and contributions typically address sustainability governance frameworks, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) integration, and the intersection of policy with corporate strategy. Below is a curated list of notable appearances, categorized by platform type, with summaries of key discussion topics:
  
  1. Podcasts and Audio Interviews
     • Harvard Business Review IdeaCast (2022)

       Topic: "The Future of Corporate Accountability: Beyond ESG Tokenism" Discussion: Critiqued the performative nature of ESG reporting, proposing a shift toward mandatory third-party audits and legal liability for misaligned sustainability claims. Highlighted case studies from the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and U.S. SEC proposals.

     • GreenBiz 350 Podcast (2021)

       Topic: "Systemic Risks in Supply Chains: Lessons from the Fashion Industry" Discussion: Analyzed fast fashion’s reliance on forced labor and deforestation, advocating for transparency laws (e.g., Germany’s Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtgesetz) as a model for global adoption. Emphasized the role of shareholder activism in pressuring retailers.

     • The Economist’s "The World Ahead" Podcast (2023)

       Topic: "Can Capitalism Be Reformed for Climate Goals?" Discussion: Debated the trade-offs between profit maximization and climate mitigation, citing Swiss and Danish governance models as examples of stakeholder-capitalism hybrids. Argued that mandatory climate risk disclosures (e.g., TCFD) are insufficient without enforcement mechanisms.

     • Print and Digital Media
       • Financial Times (FT) (2023)

         Article: "The ESG Backlash: How Greenwashing is Undermining Trust" Discussion: Examined short-term investor pressures driving ESG wash, with data from BlackRock’s 2022 ESG asset flows report. Proposed sector-specific KPIs (e.g., carbon intensity benchmarks for heavy industries) to reduce greenwashing.

       • Harvard Business Review (HBR) (2022)

         Article: "Why Corporate Governance Must Evolve for the Climate Crisis" Discussion: Advocated for boardroom diversity mandates (e.g., Norway’s 40% gender quota) and climate literacy requirements for directors. Cited ExxonMobil’s 2021 shareholder revolt as a turning point for fossil fuel governance.

       • The Guardian (Sustainable Business Section) (2021)

         Op-Ed: "The EU’s Green Deal: A Blueprint or a Distraction?" Discussion: Assessed the CSDDD’s potential impact versus loopholes in Scope 3 emissions reporting. Called for binding targets tied to trade agreements (e.g., linking EU market access to sustainability compliance).

     • Conference Keynotes and Live Discussions
       • World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting (2023)

         Session: "Measuring What Matters: Beyond Financial Metrics" Discussion: Critiqued GDP-centric economic models, proposing alternative indicators (e.g., OECD’s Well-Being Framework) for policy design. Highlighted Iceland’s shift to a happiness index as a case study.

       • United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Conference (2022)

         Panel: "ESG Integration: From Compliance to Transformation" Discussion: Debated asset managers’ role in driving real-world impact, citing BlackRock’s 2020 climate action plan as a mixed success. Stressed the need for long-term engagement over short-term ESG scoring.

  Recurring Themes in Public Messaging

  Marolt Freund’s media contributions consistently revolve around three core themes, each reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to sustainability governance. These themes underscore a systemic critique of incrementalism while proposing scalable, policy-backed solutions. The recurring motifs are:
  
  1. The Limits of Voluntary ESG Frameworks

     Central Argument: Self-regulated ESG initiatives (e.g., Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)) lack enforceability, leading to greenwashing and strategic disclosures.

     • Evidence: Cites Deloitte’s 2021 ESG survey, where 70% of executives admitted to prioritizing short-term financial goals over sustainability.
     • Proposal: Advocates for legally binding standards (e.g., EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR)) with penalties for non-compliance.
     • Case Study: Contrasts voluntary CDP reporting with mandatory disclosures in California’s SB 253, which requires Scope 3 emissions data for public companies.
  2. Corporate Governance as a Leverage Point for Change

     Central Argument: Boardroom composition and shareholder activism are more effective drivers of sustainability than operational CSR programs.

     • Evidence: Points to ExxonMobil’s 2021 boardroom shake-up following Engine No. 1’s activist campaign, which forced climate risk disclosures.
     • Proposal: Pushes for mandatory climate expertise on boards (e.g., UK’s 2021 Financial Reporting Council guidelines) and stakeholder representation in governance models.
     • Case Study: Highlights Unilever’s 2020 "Future of Good" strategy, where board-level sustainability committees aligned supply chain decarbonization with profit targets.
  3. The Need for Policy-Practice Alignment in Sustainability

     Central Argument: Policy tools (e.g., carbon pricing, due diligence laws) must be designed with real-world corporate constraints in mind to avoid implementation gaps.

     • Evidence: Critiques EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for excluding SMEs, citing Eurochambres’ 2022 report on administrative burdens.
     • Proposal: Advocates for phased enforcement (e.g., gradual penalties for non-compliance) and public-private pilot programs (e.g., Germany’s "Green Industrial Plan").
     • Case Study: Compares Sweden’s circular economy laws (e.g., Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for electronics) with U.S. state-level variations, emphasizing scalability over one-size-fits-all approaches.
  4. The Role of Behavioral Economics in Sustainability

     Larissa Marolt Freund’s career exemplifies how strategic expertise, interdisciplinary collaboration, and unwavering commitment to measurable outcomes can drive meaningful change. From pioneering frameworks in environmental compliance to advisory leadership in corporate governance, her contributions transcend individual achievements, fostering systemic advancements. As her influence continues to resonate in academic circles, corporate boards, and policy discussions, this profile underscores the intersection of rigor, innovation, and real-world impact—serving as both a benchmark and an inspiration for future generations of professionals.