Building Smarter, Greener Cities: Matthias Gelber on ESG and Decarbonisation
In this inspiring episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, Fanni Melles, PhD, sits down with Matthias Gelber, Global Thought Leader for ESG, Net Zero, and Infrastructure Sustainability at the Smart Cities Council.
Known as the “greenest person on the planet” in 2008, Matthias brings decades of expertise in ESG, decarbonization, and sustainable urban development. From his work with the Philippines Stock Exchange to co-founding Malaki Indoor Care and 3Ethereum, Matthias shares actionable insights on creating low-carbon, biodiverse, and thriving smart cities.
This conversation explores how cities can become frameworks for happiness, efficiency, and opportunity through strategic decarbonization, biodiversity restoration, and public-private collaboration.
Matthias dives into practical solutions like energy-efficient motors, bio-based building materials, and the role of ESG frameworks in driving net-zero goals.
Don’t miss this engaging discussion on how individuals, businesses, and governments can work together to build smarter, greener urban futures!
Key Takeaways
0:50 - Matthias on Public-Private Collaboration for Decarbonization
1:20 - Introducing Matthias Gelber and His ESG Journey
2:50 - What Does “Smart City” Mean to Matthias?
4:40 - Cities as Tools for Happiness and Empowerment
7:20 - Defining Biodiversity in Urban Contexts
12:00 - The Role of Invasive Species in Sustainable Urban Planning
13:50 - Explaining ESG and Decarbonization Frameworks
17:20 - Energy Efficiency Success Stories: Motors in Malaysia
21:00 - The Carbon Footprint of Construction and Building Materials
23:50 - Matthias’ Personal Journey to Sustainability
27:20 - Recommendations for Learning About ESG and Decarbonization
29:00 - Innovations in Bio-Based Materials: Desert Board Example
31:30 - Closing Thoughts: Individual Contributions to Smart Cities
Learn More About Matthias Gelber:
Matthias Gelber on LinkedIn
Indoorcare website
Indoorcare on LinkedIn
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Closing Comments:
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