Stream A: Discuss a relevant topic in a more informal, participative format
An opportunity to discuss a relevant topic in a more informal, participative format. Delegates choose a roundtable to attend, and each table will be hosted by a facilitator to lead discussion, encourage optimum debate and exchange of ideas

?A. Harnessing Digital Power: How AI, Generative AI, and Digital Twins Can Drive Sustainable Transformation

This roundtable will explore the transformative potential of innovative digital advancements like AI / Generative AI and digital twins in addressing critical sustainability challenges in infrastructure projects and assets, such as circular economy, climate adaptation, or embodied and operational carbon analyses. Their capabilities may be critical to overcoming the increased project backlogs and the lack of skilled engineers.

However, will these technologies provide new solutions to complex problems through technologically advanced outcomes, or will they result in an uncertain new world fraught with technology, skill challenges, and ethical dilemmas? What is already being achieved today, and what is still missing?

This roundtable will explore the opportunities and challenges of these new digital advancements and how to harness them whilst minimizing the risks.

Rodrigo Fernandes, Director, ES(D)G, Bentley Systems

B. Making Sustainability Add up - Talking the Right Language to “Sell” Sustainability within your Organization

Whilst there is no doubt that reporting and achieving climate objectives is fundamental to business success, decarbonization and sustainability initiatives still have to prove a business case. In times of economic and geopolitical uncertainty it is even harder to keep sustainability at the top of the agenda. This roundtable will explore how CFOs, CEOs and CSOs can all work together to develop and implement ESG-related business strategies and how to ensure you talk the right language to “convince” the importance of sustainability to ALL stakeholders, from shareholders to customers.

Emma Chynoweth, Editorial Director, Environment Analyst

C. Working Effectively with Federal and Smaller Organizations

In order to access funding via the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) it is necessary to work with federal, NGO and smaller organizations, many of whom have their own specific ways of working. This RT will explore how best to engage and work with these organizations in order to deliver project goals.

Samantha Phillips Beers, Of Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

D. Driving Sustainability Across the Supply Chain: Strategies for SMEs and Large Companies

Join us for an insightful roundtable discussion about the imperative of sustainability strategies for both small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and large companies operating in today's dynamic market landscape. As stakeholder expectations evolve and regulatory shifts reshape the business environment, organizations of all sizes must proactively integrate sustainability practices to maintain competitiveness and resilience.

This session will explore actionable recommendations for SMEs to kickstart their sustainability journey and provide insights for large companies seeking to engage their supply chain to meet their sustainability targets and data needs.

Dan Saccardi, Program Director, Company Network, Ceres

LJ DeLuca, Senior Manager, Company Network, Ceres

E. Greening Industry: Finding a Transition Pathway for Intensive Energy Users

Industry represents more than 25% of worldwide GHG emissions. Many businesses have made carbon reduction commitments, but strategy execution - particularly for more energy intensive sectors - is proving to be a formidable challenge for many.

This roundtable will provide an open forum for business leaders to discuss the role that regulations and policy/funding can and can’t play in supporting achievement of decarbonization goals; how they’re attempting to overcome the most challenging internal and external obstacles, including financial, technical, and market limitations; whether there are geographic considerations that significantly affect viability; and their overall outlook on the need for, and reality of, achieving net zero.

Matthew Yonkin, National Energy Transition Solution Leader, Arcadis

F. Transitioning to a Circular Economy

This Roundtable will explore what the term ‘Circular Economy’ really means for businesses, consumers, and other stakeholders, including discussion of the following points:

The imperative of circularity – background and statistics on resource consumption and our wasteful society.

Basics of the circular economy – what do we mean by circular economy, in a business context and in a practical sense?

Innovation and design for environment – circularity examples, and the importance of creative destruction and innovation to identify the circular economy winners and losers.

Leapfrogging the old, making the transition – what will it take to transition beyond current unsustainable technologies and practices?

James Hartshorn, Practice Leader, ESG Advisory (Canada), SLR

G. Engaging Communities and Successfully Embedding Infrastructure & Development Projects

This roundtable will explore community and stakeholder engagement on infrastructure and development projects and how to optimize this. Participants will discuss challenges often encountered, possible solutions, and how to use projects as an opportunity to build positive relationships with communities and deliver social and environmental benefits to those who are most impacted.

Carrie Wallis, West Region Senior Sector Manager, AtkinsRéalis

H. Digital Decarbonization: Combining Technology and Expertise to Achieve Net Zero

In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, achieving net zero requires more than just innovative technologies - it demands a strategic blend of digital capabilities and real-world expertise. As regulations and reporting requirements increase pressure on organizations to address their environmental impact, decarbonization has become a key focus for forward-thinking industries.

Jack Griffin, Vice President and General Manager, Veolia North America

I. Biodiversity and the Carbon Drawdown

This will be a discussion around increasing biodiversity and implementing carbon drawdown in the built environment. Participants will be asked about how to message complex issues such as the importance of biodiversity and the need for us to reduce carbon dependency for the survival of the human species. What are the successful tools and tactics and how are they effectively communicated to governments, industries and the general public?

Scott Bishop, Founding Principal of Bishop Land Design, Committee Chair of the Climate Action Committee at ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)

K. Financing the Transition: Building Resilience & Prosperity through Effective Risk Financing and Capital Investment

This roundtable will provide an insight into how the finance and insurance sector plan to boost sustainability-linked financing for nature and climate using risk mitigation and financial mechanisms.

Charlie Sidoti, Founding Coalition Partner, GreenieRE, Executive Director, InnSure

L. Truly Embedding a Culture of Sustainability Throughout your Organization

The journey from diligent compliance with mandatory standards and reporting, to demonstrating proactive leadership in sustainable business practices necessitates a profound internal shift. Within the organization there must be a culture of sustainability that every employee understands and that permeates every facet of business strategy and operations.

This roundtable will explore how to foster a culture of sustainability, including changing the actions of employees and getting buy-in and support at all levels from the C-Suite down, to ensure that sustainability is fully integrated into business strategy, processes and decision-making, and becomes “business as usual”.

Javier Aguirre, Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer, AgroAmerica

5pm End of Day One