Over two days, representatives from across our sector convened to deliberate the challenges and opportunities that span the globe. From climate commitments to ecosystem restoration, this summit sparks collaboration, reinforces the business case for ESG, and propels us toward a more sustainable future. 

During the discussions with industry peers and clients, several key takeaways emerged: 

The Environmental and Sustainability (E&S) consulting industry is in flux

As an industry, we must ensure our offering keeps pace with wider societal changes. Organizations worldwide, whether large or small, public or private, are having to navigate multiple sustainability-related megatrends and competing priorities. We are having to adapt rapidly, not just in response to our clients’ expanding needs, but in anticipation of them. Our industry has come a long way from where we started, cleaning up contaminated land. Today we are advising our clients in so many different areas, not least climate change, carbon emissions and biodiversity; we are helping them to engage with a wide range of stakeholders (and shareholders), in the communities in which they operate. Our clients’ needs are multidisciplinary, hence we ourselves must be multidisciplinary. It’s a recognition that has driven WSP’s own journey of diversification, of bringing in expertise to meet every client need, wherever they are, and whatever they do.  

Technology is going to be crucial to achieving sustainable outcomes

We must be willing to embrace AI and new technologies that will enable us to gather, manipulate and analyse increasingly large and complex volumes of data, in a way that streamlines project delivery and enhances decision-making. And applying these new data-driven perspectives, we must relentlessly question the status quo in search of improved sustainability outcomes. 

Human expertise matters: technology will never replace the need for E&S consultants

While an operational game-changer for our industry and our clients, the most advanced digital developments will never match the curiosity and creativity of the human brain or our innate ability to innovate and problem-solve. As such, building the next generation is a top priority. We must identify the skills that will be critical for the future and start nurturing the next generation of consultants. 

Leveraging the power of nature has never been more important

We know that climate change and biodiversity loss are inherently linked; addressing the latter builds resilience to the former. No matter how small, or how ‘urban’, ecosystem restoration must be a core consideration in every project we deliver. We must view every task through a nature lens, prioritising the use of nature-based solutions at every opportunity.  

Remediation - going back to our roots with renewed purpose

Remediation remains this industry’s biggest business. New technologies are bringing incredible advances, enabling us to address the most complex contaminants and brownfield sites. But, if we look at them more holistically, there is so much more potential in these projects than simply addressing contamination alone. By collaborating with stakeholders from the outset, we can transform these sites into vibrant assets, bringing broader benefits for local communities and the ecosystem. 

From molecules to electrons: an Energy Transition that benefits everyone

Arguably the biggest challenge facing humanity is the energy transition. We must rapidly pivot from our centralised hydrocarbon-based energy systems that have been in place for decades to decentralised models using renewable and low carbon energy sources. Our industry is uniquely positioned to drive this transition. We are the bridge linking all the stakeholders that will be instrumental in achieving a low carbon future. We are the interface between traditional energy providers, the multi-segment renewables industry, legislators and permitting bodies, industry and high energy users, and of course the communities impacted by this systemic change. It is our responsibility to help ensure a just transition that not only delivers affordable, secure and sustainable clean energy, but that also brings social and stakeholder value for the decades to come. 

There can be no doubt that the challenges ahead are going to test us to the maximum. And the stakes could not be higher. But, with a collaborative and questioning mindset, I believe this industry as a whole can help make sustainability business as usual and lay the foundations for a greener, cleaner and equitable future.