Never in the history of the environmental and sustainability services industry has there been so much scope to deliver transformational change for this generation and the next. To do so, consultancies must position themselves as partners of choice in the transition to more sustainable business models. Their success will be determined by their ability to show net zero leadership, capitalise on digital disruption and navigate ‘future of workforce’ pressures.

This Global Business Summit will provide critical market intelligence so you can position your company for growth, benchmark your business against competitors, and inform future investment and growth strategies.

Along with other sustainability business leaders, you will learn how to leverage ESG and other opportunities to deliver transformational change, understand how to best support your stakeholders in their journey to net zero, and share best practice to deliver real economic and environmental change. 

Secure your place now for this unique event, designed specifically for the environmental and sustainability sector, which is taking place at the Grand Hyatt Denver, Colorado on 23-24 August.

Covid-19 Guidance:

We would like to assure you that we are working very closely with the venue to ensure that all of the necessary Covid-19 protocols are in place, as your safety is our utmost priority.

Event Agenda

All timings are in Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) which is -2 hours ET and -7 hours BST

​Day One: Tuesday 23 August

9.00am Registration and Networking

9.30am Welcome from Environment Analyst

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9.35am Opening Remarks from the Chair

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9.45am Opening Keynote Address

The world has entered a global energy and food crisis that’s already as bad as any since World War II. It’s likely to get worse. Richard will explore the causes of the crisis, its current scope, some possible near-future scenarios, and longer-term consequences for the economy and the renewable energy transition.

The crisis is the result of decades of short-term thinking aimed at solving isolated problems in ways that are profitable for big energy and food corporations. If we want to prevent similar future crises, while also addressing the global climate dilemma, we will need to develop strategies that are systems-based, so that they tackle several problems at once, and that are often also small-scale and local. 

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Warning: this line of thinking and action may challenge deeply held beliefs about economic growth.

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Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute

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10.05am Industry Keynote Address

Tom Reichert, Global Chief Executive Officer, ERM

Session One: Global Market Outlook: Opportunities, Challenges, Drivers & Disruptors 

10.30am Reviewing the State of the Global Environmental & Sustainability Consulting Market and Outlook

Environment Analyst presents the latest findings from our global market research and insight reports on the E&S sector, with a focus on U.S. trends

• Update on the market growth, structure, dynamics and industry projections  

• Examining the current competitive landscape, industry rankings, and leading players in the context of recent M&A activity

• Identifying “opportunity hotspots”; those countries, regions, and industry sectors prioritising investment in green recovery and transition 

• Reviewing the ‘future of consultancy’ (net zero, ESG & sustainability, technology, and workforce) trends and the impact of these on brand proposition, service provision, client procurement and collaboration

• Assessing how business models are evolving to respond to the above

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11.05am Industry Poll followed by Morning Refreshments & Networking

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Industry Response

11.50am Industry Panel Discussion  

Industry panellists will offer their perspective on current and future market and policy drivers and the business response, sharing insight into how their companies are responding to different threats and opportunities, and helping their clients to do the same.

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Panellists:

Frank Sweet, Global Business Line Chief Executive for Environment, AECOM

Chantelle Ludski, Chief Executive Officer - North America, Anthesis Group

Jan Walstrom, Senior Vice President, Office of Global Climate Response & ESG, Jacobs

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12.30pm Examining the Key Global Environmental, Economic & Regulatory Policy Drivers Influencing the North American Market & Priorities for the Environmental Consulting Sector 

• Update on progress made towards the Biden Administration’s Climate Ambition

• Assessing the impact of the Stimulus package and new legislation on the public sector environmental market, the opportunities this will create for the sector, and any strings attached  

• What impact are ESG and stakeholder pressures and other non-regulatory drivers having on the regulatory process – to what extent is it playing “catch up”? 

• Assessing progress achieved since COP26 and priority objectives for COP27 in delivering net zero ambitions: to what extent are we likely to see more ambitious climate plans globally?

1.00pm Industry Poll followed by Lunch and Networking

Session Two: The Future Of Consultancy

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1.45pm Embedding Sustainability and ESG at the Core of Consultancy Business Models

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• Exploring the key barriers to achieving environmental goals (regulation, funding, talent, organisation culture and structure)

• Leveraging digital & technology innovation to improve business efficiency & add value to your service proposition:

  • exploiting the use of new digital tools to improve productivity, support informed decision-making and maximise outputs

  • embracing technology as a leveller, especially for SMEs

  • optimising digital alliances to deliver integrated global solutions to environmental challenges

• Operationalising key sustainability and net zero principles to achieve key goals – how to make it an “all-business mission”:

  • ensuring organisational purpose aligns with these values 

  • evolving the C-suite and leadership teams’ capacity and understanding to support delivery of an inherent ESG strategy and mindset   

• Exploring evolving global business models and organisational structures to address current and future challenges:

  • evaluating the shift in provision – niche advisory vs an integrated approach

  • assessing the challenges of embedding net zero into a diverse and multi-national organisation vs the advantages of a decentralised approach and greater flexibility 

  • managing the impact on organisational culture 

• Assessing the role the professional advisory and management consultants play in this 

• Evaluating the extent to which aligning company purpose and values with environmental goals can enhance employee recruitment and engagement 

• Using strategic partnerships and harnessing the power of the capital markets to improve the value proposition of environmental and sustainability consulting

• Finding the ESG “sweet spot” and where the sector can deliver the most added-value 

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Panelists:

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Josh Nothwang, Global Sustainability Advisory Director, Arcadis

Javier A. Baldor, Chief Executive Officer, BST Global

Mark Hall, SVP, Environmental Advisory Services, Montrose Environmental

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Session Three: “Greening” Infrastructure Development

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2.30pm Embedding ESG into Infrastructure Development and Project Delivery

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• Assessing the impact that Biden’s ‘buy clean’ procurement policy and implementation of recent legislation (The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, The Justice 40 initiative, The European Green Deal) are having on “greening” infrastructure development and the opportunities this provides for the sector

• Using social equity and environmental justice as a lens in infrastructure development:

  • encouraging human-centric design 

  • accommodating culture and heritage into projects and supporting local communities

• Effectively integrating sustainability metrics into project deliverables

• Enhancing the investability of projects using ESG 

• Optimising supplier engagement and incorporating sustainability objectives into the supply chain.   

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Panelists:

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Anthony Kane, President & CEO, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI)

Tom Lewis, Climate, Resilience & Sustainability Executive Lead, WSP USA

 Cris B. Liban, Chief Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) 

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Session Four: Roundtable Discussion Session 

3.30pm Interactive Roundtable Discussion

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An opportunity to discuss a relevant topic in a more informal, participative format. Delegates choose a roundtable to attend, and each table will be hosted by a facilitator to lead discussion, encourage optimum debate and exchange of ideas    

A. Delivering the Digital Revolution on the Ground: ESG, Environmental Justice, & the Impacts of Technology

Technology is changing the landscape for data gathering and community engagement – a key component for ESG. How can we best respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by digitalization. How is technology changing who can generate data (accurate or not), what is coming across the fenceline, and who is really responsible. An opportunity to discuss with others how new technologies are impacting and  transforming the services that we offer.

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Austin Heitmann, Director - Emerging Technology, Montrose Environmental Group

B. Exploring the Impact of M&A Activity & Emerging Financial Partnership Models on the E&S Consulting Market Structure & Service Delivery

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Jessica Barclay, Managing Partner, The Environmental Financial Consulting Group (EFCG)

C. Determining the ESG “Sweet Spot” - Exploring Where the Sector can Deliver the Most Added-Value 

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Robert Spencer, Global Head of ESG Advisory Services, AECOM

D. Tackling the “Forever Chemical” - Sharing Experiences of Assessing & Managing Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) 

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With the EPA publishing a strategic roadmap for dealing with PFAS, including enforceable limits and more granular testing, attendees are invited to share their thoughts on current approaches globally for assessing and managing PFAS, and how we can take meaningful action.

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Shalene Thomas, Global Emerging Contaminants Programme Manager, Wood

E. Aligning Company Purpose and Values with Environmental Goals to Enable Business Growth

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This discussion will explore how embedding ESG into consultants’ internal culture and actions enables them to not only better advise clients, but places employees in the ESG narrative and can make the organisation more attractive to existing and future employees in a sector impacted by a skills shortage and new challenges around remote and hybrid working.

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Dennis Papilion, President of Earth & Environment, WSP

F. Managing the Risks in Developing & Emerging Markets to Deliver a Just Transition 

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There were several initiatives launched at COP26 to help developing countries grow their economies sustainably and reach net zero goals.  This discussion will explore how to manage the risks associated with entering developing and emerging markets in order to help build critical infrastructure and increase resilience in local markets, including how to encourage and facilitate locally-led adaptation and action.

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Hugh Sinclair, Vice President – Asset Management National Practice Lead, Arcadis

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G. Opportunities in Delivering a Nature Positive Future

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Exploring how natural and social capital-based approaches are transforming the delivery of environmental goals and can be successfully leveraged to improve built environment sustainability, business continuity and resilience and project funding.

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Christopher Lee Allen, Director | Foreseeable™ Solutions: Net Zero + Nature Positive, Jacobs

H. Transitioning to a Circular Economy

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The term ‘Circular Economy’ is being used with increasing frequency, but what does it mean for individuals, business, and other stakeholders? How do we balance cost with long term value generation in our transition to a Circular Economy? This discussion will offer approaches for analyzing opportunities and insights into some tangible benefits of adopting a Circular Economy approach.

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Ginny Philps, Executive Advisor - Sustainability, Resilience & ESG, GHD

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4.15pm Afternoon Refreshments & Networking

4.40pm Roundtable Feedback

Each roundtable facilitator will share the key learning points from their table discussions with the audience

5.15pm Closing Remarks from the Chair and Close of Day One

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Please join us on the evening of 23 August for the inaugural Environment Analyst Sustainability Consulting Awards ceremony, which will recognize and applaud excellence and leadership in the sustainable transition. 

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​Day Two: Wednesday 24 August

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9.00am Registration and Networking

9.30am Welcome Back from the Chair 

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Dr Hisham Mahmoud, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Qualus Power Services and Chairman of the Board, Cumming Group

Session Five: Nature-Driven Design & Solutions 

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9.35am Optimising Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for Improving Resilience & Adaptation

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• Integrating adaptation, mitigation, and resilience measures into net zero objectives and action to address global risks and vulnerabilities

• Taking a holistic approach to finance and nature-related risks and opportunities: addressing historic under-funding:

  • to what extent will “adaptation finance” truly drive this forward?

• Proving the business case for NbS - monetising environmental impacts and solutions through natural capital accounting

• “In-setting” vs off-setting to achieve net zero goals 

• Examining the evolution of Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) to Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), the implications and next steps

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Panelists:

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Peter Hall, Vice President, Global Director for Climate Resilience & ESG, Wood

Session Six: Digital Transformation

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10.30am Leveraging Digital & Technology Innovation to Achieve Sustainability Goals

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• Identifying where digital adoption presents a growth opportunity and can be best exploited to drive the net zero journey

• Evaluating the key drivers that will encourage new digital tools and available technology to be used to their fullest extent

• Optimising partnerships and collaborative ventures to enable digital investment and future proof your technological capabilities

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Brett Roberts, Global Market Leader – Digital Environment, GHD

11.15am Morning Refreshments & Networking 

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Session Seven: ESG Reporting & Financial Investment

11.40am Improving Transparency & Integrity in ESG Reporting  

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• Update on the SEC response to climate and ESG risks and opportunities and a move towards regulatory harmonisation

• Exploring the role of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and other initiatives in addressing ESG data gaps for companies and investors 

• Analysing the changes the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and a “new definition of net zero” will bring

• Examining how more harmonised, transparent reporting can be achieved and the tools and guidance available to enable this and reduce green-washing:

  • addressing language and definition issues

  • devising a comparable set of methods and metrics - how far are we from a standard metric?

• Lessons learnt from mandatory TCFD reporting to date – what is working, what isn’t, and what are the implications:

• Assessing the extent to which investors are “rewarding” firms for their ESG activity 

Panelists:

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Gabriel Malek, Project Manager, Investor Influence, Environmental Defense Fund

Alán Bonilla, Director & Lead Analyst Sustainable Finance, S&P Global Ratings

Laura Nelson, Associate Director Market Engagement, Value Reporting Foundation

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12.30pm Financial Investor Perspective: Strategies for Aligning Corporate Action with Investor Demands to Achieve Robust, Transparent & Actionable Climate & Emissions Reporting 

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• Detailing the current requirements in climate reporting, ICAP and how investors are managing environmental considerations across their portfolios:

  • priorities when evaluating ESG performance and the impact on asset valuation

• Evaluating current initiatives to improve reporting and metrics to enable investors to better understand a firm’s actions and future risk / performance  

• Identifying and leveraging opportunities relating to financing the net zero economy, including defined decarbonisation strategies and climate-friendly solutions and technologies

• Examining how the insurance sector can influence the transition to a low carbon economy and achieving net zero goals:

  • how can insurance investment respond to increasingly complex regulatory and environmental risks 

  • how can progress be measured and reported

1.15pm Closing Remarks from the Chair and Environment Analyst, followed by Lunch and Networking for all Attendees

Who should attend?

• Senior environmental and sustainability consulting executives (CEOs, MDs, E&S Leads/Directors)
   

• Corporate Heads of Sustainability
   

• Business leaders and investors in the wider green economy

Why attend?

• Discover how to leverage ESG and net zero opportunities to deliver transformational change 

• Get critical market intelligence to benchmark your performance and position your company for growth

• Understand how the financial sector view ESG to support future business growth and investment 

• Learn how to effectively embed ESG into infrastructure development and project delivery

• Explore market opportunities from a global network of environmental services firms

• Develop new partnerships and collaborative relationships with peers and stakeholders