Sustainability Voices: Valuable Insights & Expert Opinion

“There is a massive investment opportunity in the Just Transition, not just environmental, but social and economic opportunities benefitting communities all across the UK” says Tara Schmidt, Head of Climate & Sustainability Strategy, Lloyds Bank.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

“Achieving net zero in a way that positively engages with people, communities and nature will make businesses more resilient and lead to wider benefits” suggests Chinyelu Oranefo, Director of Sustainability & ESG Finance, Lloyds Bank.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

Ingrid Holmes, Executive Director, Green Finance Institute shares her thoughts on what financial innovation is needed for a Just Transition.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

Dr Sam Gardner, Head of Climate Change & Sustainability at ScottishPower believes if we are to enjoy the benefits of a Just Transition there are three main challenges corporates and institutions must overcome.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

How can we help underrepresented groups access new green job opportunities?

Gosbert Chagula MBE, Co-Founder & Head of Programmes at the Startup Discovery School suggests adding the word ‘green’ to many terms can act as a blocker.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

The financial system can be an enabler of a Just Transition if organisations think about risks, opportunities and participation suggests Nick Robins, Professor in Practice for Sustainable Finance at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change & the Environment.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

How important is it to bring SMEs with us on the path to a Just Transition?

Gosbert Chagula MBE, Co-Founder & Head of Programmes at the Startup Discovery School explains.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

Ingrid Holmes, Executive Director, Green Finance Institute advocates the key to delivering the Just Transition is bringing the community in at the start of any project. She details a great example to bring this to life.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

“The Just Transition is not some philosophical concept, it’s about what really drives people to do a good job for their clients and communities” says Nick Robins, Professor in Practice for Sustainable Finance at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change & the Environment.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

“It’s not just about carbon counting, it's about driving real economy transition and positive impacts for the communities in which we operate” says Tara Schmidt, Head of Climate & Sustainability Strategy, Lloyds Bank.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

But what does it mean? Hear members of our network share their ideas.

For further insights, head over to our Just Transition hub

From sustainable finance with associated KPIs and the Supply Chain Sustainability School, to accessing quality data and the legacy a Wates project has on the community. This is brought to life through the incredible Sandwell Aquatics Centre built for the Commonwealth Games.

Sustainability voice, Emily Martin explains how the ESG finance team have identified more than 85 technologies across 14 technology themes, how they are assessed before funding is granted, and their impact on society.

The UK's estimated investment to achieve net zero is around £60bn per year by the end of this decade. Sustainability voice, Cynthia Barnes believes the Financial Services industry has a vital role to play by supporting corporates and institutions with their credible transition plans, and much more.

Sustainability voice, Benjamin Weland is focused on ensuring clients can offer a resilient, fast and sustainable broadband service across the UK.

Supply chains pose one of the greatest challenges in your journey to net zero. Sustainability & ESG Finance expert, Jenny Burrett, discusses ways we are helping our clients engage and tackle their supply chains.

David Willock, Managing Director, ESG Finance & Structuring discusses the latest trends in the sector, and the options institutions can take to help meet your sustainability goals.

Sustainability & ESG Finance expert, Katie Arnold, explains how the sector can now plot a way forwards and start to understand what good looks like, which has the potential to unlock sustainable finance.

Jude’s Ice Cream is a carbon negative B Corp – companies that voluntarily meet the highest standards for social and environmental performance. We caught up with James Wright, MD, who provided insight into why sustainability is at the heart of the business.

Cadogan has a long-standing commitment to build a sustainable future for Chelsea. Kate Neale, Head of Sustainability, gets under-the-skin of what it’s going to take to protect the area’s unique heritage and support a thriving community.

Experts within our dedicated Sustainability and ESG Finance Team, Tara Schmidt, Francesca Sharp and Varun Sarda give some thoughts on the year ahead.

Gerry Stephens, Finance Director of Mackie’s of Scotland invests in net zero technology and is forecast to save 70% on the company’s energy costs. He urges his fellow SMEs to take the first step no matter how small.

Nicholas Beatty, Founder Director of Zenobē is on a mission to disrupt and decarbonise the UK’s transport sector with innovative technologies to support a greener future.

This content was paid for and produced by Lloyds Bank in partnership with the Commercial Department of the Financial Times.

Peter McKernan, Director of McKernan Homes believes net zero will not hold his business back, if anything it will propel them forward. This is encouraging for those SMEs that don’t yet have meaningful sustainability goals or plans.

A fascinating insight from Tim Mead, Owner of Yeo Valley, who encourages all businesses, whatever shape or size, to challenge common assumptions in their journey to net zero because they aren’t always correct.

Kate Rogers, Head of Sustainability, Cazenove Capital – an investment services business – is passionate about people wanting to invest in companies that create a better and more sustainable future. She highlights concerns over ‘greenwashing’ and much more.

Tamar Nurseries, an SME with sustainability at the heart of their business model. Johan Huibers, Managing Director shares his passion for going green, along with invaluable learnings for other SME businesses.

Nina Skubala, Head of Climate Strategy, British Chambers of Commerce Climate Challenge Group explains what net zero is and how SMEs can progress their journey to net zero.

Sam Gardner, Head of Climate Change and Sustainability at ScottishPower acknowledges the challenges, but demonstrates the enormous opportunities for corporates and their supply chains as we tackle climate change together.

Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive at the UK Green Building Council, explains why the built environment is a key priority on the road to net zero, what the key attributes are affecting the carbon footprint of a building and the impact of new ways of working on sustainability.

BlackRock’s Alexis Rosenblum, Chief Corporate Sustainability Officer, discusses the challenges with new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data and how important clear and consistent reporting is in the investment process.