In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, David Leversha, Decarbonisation Lead for WSP, discusses driving value for clients through sustainability with Catriona Brady from the World Green Building Council and Daniel Socha from WSP’s Global Sustainability and ESG Services. They explore the growing prominence of sustainability, the influence of ESG on financial markets, and what clients value in sustainability advice. They also discuss the need for policy and regulation and the role of collaboration and holistic thinking in driving sustainability forward.

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Discussion Points

00:00 – Introduction and Topic Overview

04:24 – The Growing Prominence of Sustainability

06:24 – The Holistic Approach to Sustainability

11:24 – The Influence of ESG on Financial Markets

14:40 – What Clients Value in Sustainability Advice

19:26 – The Role of Policy and Regulation

25:42 – Valuing the Broader Benefits of Sustainability

30:06 – Collaboration and Holistic Thinking in Driving Sustainability

Key Takeaways

• Sustainability has gained prominence globally, particularly in the real estate, buildings, and infrastructure sectors.
• The holistic approach to sustainability is becoming more prevalent, encompassing topics such as decarbonisation, circular economy, social equity, and resilience.
• ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a lens through which financial markets evaluate sustainability and risk.
• Clients value partners and consultants who can help them navigate the complexities of ESG and sustainability, provide clear guidance, and demonstrate the value of sustainability in financial, environmental, and social terms.
• Policy and regulation play a crucial role in driving sustainability, and the private sector needs to lead the way to encourage government action.
• Valuing the broader benefits of sustainability, such as health and well-being, natural capital, and risk mitigation, is essential in making the business case for sustainability.
• Collaboration and holistic thinking are key trends in driving sustainability, as they enable a comprehensive and interconnected approach to addressing environmental, social, and governance challenges.

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