INSIGHTS
Strategic priorities in modern sustainability management
The landscape of sustainability management is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by technological advancements, increasing regulatory pressures and evolving stakeholder expectations. Our research has identified three key themes that are shaping the strategic priorities of sustainability leaders across various industries.
C. Adapting to changing regulatory and stakeholder expectations
3. Anticipating future trends and technologies in sustainability management
Artificial intelligence has the potential to accelerate our thinking, help with prioritisation and enable quicker action and decision-making. It's fascinating to think about how AI can enhance operational efficiency and decision-making.
Chris Brown
VICE PRESIDENT OF ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE, SYNTHOMER
Forward-thinking sustainability leaders are focusing on preparing for future trends and technologies that will shape their field. This proactive approach helps organisations address challenges and benefit from emerging opportunities.
The concept of circularity is gaining significant traction across industries. Andrew Mitchell from Mace Group emphasises its importance: "Ultimately, it's about circularity. We already have a good grasp on the embodied carbon of a building and understand the challenges around some of the data sets. While we're fairly comfortable with our understanding of the current data sets available, we recognize that to meet the upcoming UK net-zero carbon standards, we need to integrate more reuse and circularity into our processes."
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seen as a key enabler of future sustainability efforts. "I'm intrigued by AI," shares Chris Brown from Synthomer. "Artificial intelligence has the potential to accelerate our thinking, help with prioritisation and enable quicker action and decision-making. It's fascinating to think about how AI can enhance operational efficiency and decision-making."
Climate resilience is becoming a key focus for many organisations, particularly in research-intensive sectors. Susan Simon from UK Research & Innovation explains its importance: "Decarbonising the energy grid is essential for us. As a research organisation, stabilising the climate is important because the more unstable the natural environment becomes, the more it affects the reliability of our research. It's almost a form of self-protection to focus on these technologies."
The emerging trends in investment and financing for large-scale sustainability projects are generating excitement. Edward Barlow from Local Partnerships LLP notes: "We've seen a stronger emphasis on this area recently, especially with the new government. For example, we saw three solar farms approved within the first week or ten days of the new government. The GB Energy initiative and the National Wealth Fund are leaning heavily into renewables."
Decarbonising the energy grid is essential for us. As a research organisation, stabilising the climate is important because the more unstable the natural environment becomes, the more it affects the reliability of our research. It's almost a form of self-protection to focus on these technologies.
Susan Simon
DIRECTOR OF CAPITAL AND ESTATES AND CHIEF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
I am particularly enthusiastic about the upcoming advancements in technology that facilitate real-time environmental monitoring. These tools will significantly enhance our ability to monitor and adjust our impact on natural ecosystems, particularly in terms of water quality in various landscapes.
Andy Brown
CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, ANGLIAN WATER GROUP
Real-time environmental monitoring technologies are set to transform sustainability management. Andy Brown from Anglian Water Group expresses enthusiasm about this trend: "I am particularly enthusiastic about the upcoming advancements in technology that facilitate real-time environmental monitoring. These tools will significantly enhance our ability to monitor and adjust our impact on natural ecosystems, particularly in terms of water quality in various landscapes."
The shift towards electrification is seen as a major change in sustainability efforts. Chris Mattock from Mace Consult highlights: "The electrification of everything is a trend I find very important. It's an effective way to eliminate diesel use and reduce fossil fuel emissions. Decarbonising the start of the process means everything that follows is more sustainable."
As these trends and technologies continue to evolve, they promise to reshape the landscape of sustainability management. Organisations that can anticipate and effectively leverage these developments will be better positioned to meet their sustainability goals and drive positive environmental impact. The future of sustainability management appears to be increasingly data-driven, technologically enhanced and integrated into core business strategies.
