Wellington-based Matt is the latest hire for WSP’s Strategic Advisory team. Matt specialises in climate-related reporting, risk assessment and resilience. Tasked with supporting clients with their climate and sustainability challenges, the environmental lawyer turned climate strategist brings an impressive slate of credentials.
Cutting his teeth at large law firms in Washington DC, Matt became lead environmental counsel for the US Postal Service. The Postal Service has had to deal with its fair share of climate emergencies, including Hurricane Sandy in 2012 which claimed 233 lives and caused $68 million in damage in the Eastern US.
While at the Postal Service, Matt advised on its climate adaptation and sustainability strategy. Realising that he could change things more via “the consulting mindset," Matt ultimately put down his legal tools and migrated to New Zealand with his family in 2016. Consulting and policy roles followed with EY in Auckland, the Ministry for the Environment, and Beca.
It was at the Ministry for the Environment that Matt really hit his climate straps. He implemented New Zealand’s mandatory climate-related disclosures regime – adopting the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework, and the Zero Carbon Act’s reporting requirements for councils and lifeline utilities. He also contributed significantly to the first National Climate Change Risk Assessment and the National Adaptation Plan.
Over the past several years, Matt has noticed a shift in how businesses are responding to climate change and sustainability.
“Climate disclosures, the Zero Carbon Act, revisions to the ETS, and the national risk assessment and adaptation plan have shifted the conversation from ‘somebody should do something about this’, to ‘we actually have to do something about this’.
“It’s much easier now to have strategic climate change conversations with organisations. Most have accepted that climate change isn’t something they can avoid. It’s good business for them to get on top of - otherwise they’re exposing themselves to all kinds of risks.”
Matt says that for all the promise of technology and innovation, addressing climate change will be disruptive to the way we live our lives.
“Meaningful climate action will require hard lifestyle changes, and changes to the economy. But it will, in many ways, make life better. With denser urbanisation, for example, people are walking more, rather than driving, which is better for emissions, health outcomes and air pollution.”
As one of WSP’s Principals for Climate Change and Sustainability within Strategic Advisory, Matt will keep working with councils, Government, and corporate clients – helping them incorporate climate change and sustainability into their strategies. Importantly, he’ll involve experts from across WSP, including in property and buildings, water, asset management, and engineering operations.
“We’re able to bring technical specialists into the strategy conversation – meaning businesses aren’t just setting emissions reduction targets without having any idea of whether it's possible to implement them.
“As someone who has adopted Aotearoa as my home - I've just filed my application for citizenship - I'm excited to be here at WSP to help clients take climate actions that will make a real difference.
“It's rewarding to work with clients and provide an end-to-end climate advisory service, which only a firm like WSP can do. We don't just hand them a strategy and walk away. We’re with them every step of the way.”
Matt, soaking up the scenery in front of Aoraki, Mt Cook.