Sustainability Center

The Sustainability Center supports leading companies and governments around the world in their efforts to foster economic growth while encouraging more responsible use of natural resources and environmental protection. Drawing on deep industry expertise, we collaborate with clients to identify sustainable solutions across industries and in the public sector.

The demand for more sustainable business behavior and products is one of the most powerful trends driving wholesale industry change today, and it will be a critical driver of cost control, competitiveness, and growth over the long term. We offer strategies and tools that can identify opportunities to improve resource usage, capitalize on clean tech, and meet changing customer demands, while mitigating resource-related risks.

Airlines

A greater focus on sustainability will be a game changer for the highly cyclical airline industry, by reducing operating costs, increasing margins, and catalyzing new product development.

With fuel costs representing the single biggest line item, the industry has already begun to focus on implementing more sustainable practices, such as efficient taxiing, reducing aircraft weight, and retrofitting older planes. But there is yet more airlines can achieve, from implementing new clean tech to generate operational savings to developing revenue-boosting ancillary products for corporate customers that want to reduce their carbon footprint.

Our Sustainability Center and Aviation Practice have extensive expertise working with international and regional carriers to apply practical, results-driven approaches to developing sustainability strategies and tools that can reduce fuel costs and unlock new revenue streams.

Automotive

In the near future, sustainable resource management will become a de facto standard for the automotive industry, which faces skyrocketing resource prices and growing customer demand for more sustainable products.

The automotive industry already has been moving to integrate clean tech into manufacturing processes and develop sustainable product offerings such as lightweight components and e-mobility. But for automotive OEMs and suppliers to keep pace with market trends, much more is needed, and possible—from innovative process improvement and facilities management to product innovation. For example, reducing energy usage in plants through measures such as efficient lighting, better insulation, and heat recovery can cut energy consumption by 20 to 30 percent.

Our Sustainability Center and Automotive Practice work with major automotive OEMs and suppliers to develop sustainable solutions that can reduce costs and drive revenue growth. We have a proven track record of helping our clients develop innovative solutions in response to changing technologies and markets.

Energy & Utilities

Energy companies and utilities will realize new opportunities for growth by keeping pace with emerging clean tech and renewable offerings to develop a sustainable technology advantage.

On the supply side, utilities will need to anticipate the regulatory landscape and right-size investments to demand. On the demand side, sustainable clean tech options (e.g., smart meters, smart grids, energy efficient building design, improved demand management, new energy storage options) can help reduce long-term costs and improve distribution management.

Our Sustainability Center and Energy Practice have deep experience working with energy companies and utilities to understand changing markets and technologies, improve their businesses, and manage risks. We provide a proven, results-oriented approach to analyzing opportunities for growth across all sectors of the market.

Financial Services

Banks, pension funds, and private investors are increasingly aware that sustainability and clean tech will be critical drivers of future business growth. Equally, the risks associated with poor environmental management in relation to investment are becoming better understood.

The €270 billion annual investment required to achieve CO2 reduction goals just within the EU will yield huge opportunities for banks to create new funds and bespoke financial products. In addition, investors increasingly want to know if environmental risks could unduly expose investment portfolios to losses.

We are a leading advisor to the financial services industry, with decades of experience serving the world’s top 100 financial institutions. The Sustainability Center and Financial Services Practice provide tools that enable transparent risk assessment and mitigation, with strong backing from experts who understand the sustainability issues related to specific industries.

Manufacturing

A focus on sustainability can be an avenue to enhanced revenue and more efficient processes for manufacturers, who are constantly under pressure to innovate in response to market trends and changing customer needs.

Some manufacturers are already seeing the results of sustainable practices, in terms of leaner operations and reduced costs for energy, water, and waste. At the same time, product innovation can generate new customer demand and get manufacturers on supplier shortlists.

Our Sustainability Center and Manufacturing Practice assist clients in defining and implementing strategies for sustainable growth. Our consultants have deep experience in reducing costs, implementing lean tools, and optimizing manufacturing processes.

Retail

In an increasingly price-competitive environment, sustainability is a must for retailers hoping to differentiate their products and reduce costs.

A focus on sustainability is not only a smart way for retailers to improve the cost efficiency of their operations (e.g., by reducing energy and water usage, improving load factors) but can also provide opportunities for new product/service creation and enhance procurement and supply chain management.

Furthermore, sustainability is expected to grow in importance as a factor in consumer purchasing decisions. Retailers will want to ensure their product offers and branding are aligned with this new reality.

Our Sustainability Center and Retail Practice work together to help clients move toward retail solutions that drive growth. We have a 20-year track record of helping clients develop and execute programs with demonstrable and sustained impact.

Sustainable Cities

As the world becomes more urbanized, sustainability is a key differentiator for urban centers seeking to attract economic investment and provide a high-quality environment for citizens and businesses.

For developing cities facing expanding needs for resources such as water, power, and land, a focus on sustainability can improve demand management for residential and commercial buildings and reduce the long-term costs of infrastructure development.

For developed cities with stable or contracting populations, sustainability can offer new avenues of economic growth, such as the development of clean tech industries, as well as strategies to manage the high fixed costs that come with aging infrastructure and a stagnant revenue base.

We provide strategic planning support to cities and regions to support quality of life, economic growth, and resource security. Our experts work with utilities, industries, and government authorities at all levels to develop land use plans and more efficient infrastructure, identify innovative financing, and create better policy and governance structures.

Transportation & Logistics

The transportation and logistics industry is particularly susceptible to the issue of energy sustainability. Clean technologies such as next-generation trains and trucks and alternative fuels, combined with energy-reducing strategies such as route optimization and transloading, hold the promise of reducing operating costs and exposure to fuel price shocks.

Furthermore, there is an opportunity for transportation and logistics companies to take the lead in helping their own customers develop more sustainable practices, creating new business opportunities and enhancing competitiveness and differentiation.

Our Sustainability Center and Transportation & Logistics Practice work with some of the world’s largest transportation and logistics firms to develop aggressive cost reduction programs and creative growth strategies. Our deep industry experience can help your organization improve its bottom line and better prepare for future sustainability challenges.