Antoine Sautenet on the Geopolitics of Sustainability in Michelin

Antoine talks about Michelin’s commitment to pay all employees a living wage: enough to “live in a proper way, and not only surviving,” as he says. Antoine also highlights the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in sustainability efforts.

He discusses his background and career journey, as well as the challenges and achievements he has faced as a CSO, providing insights into the future of the CSO role and offers tips for those starting a career in sustainability. Antoine believes that geopolitics will be an important part of the role of the CSO.

He concludes by discussing Michelin's initiatives to develop sustainable materials for tires, such as recycled carbon black and sustainable natural rubber.

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Takeaways

• The role of the CSO at Michelin involves orchestrating ESG performance and governance for the company, with a focus on making a positive impact on society.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important aspects of sustainability, as they contribute to attracting new talents and developing collective intelligence.
• Antoine Sautenet's career journey involved transitioning from the public sector to the private sector and taking on various roles related to international trade and economic diplomacy.
• The main challenges for a CSO include prioritizing sustainability topics and dealing with geopolitical tensions that can impact business operations.
• A holistic view and conducting a life cycle assessment are important for understanding the environmental and social impact of a company.