There are many 'one size fits all' approaches to ESG in the development, construction and real estate sectors. There are a plethora of standards and checklists. But to have a real, lasting and meaningful impact, each project first needs to understand the potential ESG impact that's achievable.
As one example, in a province where 98% of electricity is renewable, the climate impact of energy efficient buildings is low. However, as of Canada's last SDG report, only 68% of Canadians are living in areas that meet air quality standards. While the temptation may be to focus on greenhouse gas emissions, the biggest ESG impact may actually be realized through reducing and managing air pollution.
This presentation will discuss the impact first approach to ESG as an alternative to standards and checklists, and a necessary step to realizing meaningful ESG outcomes.
Jaime has over two decades experience in the ESG space with positions at the United Nations and World Bank, among others.
As the Regional Manager for the UN Climate Convention (UNFCCC) body, the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), Jaime led the Asia-Pacific team in developing and financing climate mitigation and adaptation technologies for cities and urban development. Her role involved managing partnerships with governments, the private sector and indigenous peoples and local communities to identify green growth policies, legislation and actions. In addition to her work with the Climate Convention, Jaime held a number of positions at the UN Environment Program where she worked directly on urban sustainability projects including Kenya’s plastic bags ban, and Morocco’s green campus initiative. Jaime has delivered courses, with the University of Southern Denmark on urban resilience, training municipal employees from 12 different countries and, at the invitation of the City of Copenhagen, chaired dialogues at the C40 Mayors Summit on financing municipal climate action.
There are many 'one size fits all' approaches to ESG in the development, construction and real estate sectors. There are a plethora of standards and checklists. But to have a real, lasting and meaningful impact, each project first needs to understand the potential ESG impact that's achievable.
As one example, in a province where 98% of electricity is renewable, the climate impact of energy efficient buildings is low. However, as of Canada's last SDG report, only 68% of Canadians are living in areas that meet air quality standards. While the temptation may be to focus on greenhouse gas emissions, the biggest ESG impact may actually be realized through reducing and managing air pollution.
This presentation will discuss the impact first approach to ESG as an alternative to standards and checklists, and a necessary step to realizing meaningful ESG outcomes.
