EY Launches Net Zero Center to Navigate Clients Through Climate Transition in Australia, NZ
Global professional services firm EY announced today the launch of a new Net Zero Center, aimed at guiding companies in Australia and New Zealand to prepare their businesses and identify and capitalize on opportunities related to the net zero transition.
According to EY, the firm developed the new center in response to growing market demand. Recent EY studies have indicated that company executives are increasingly looking to take steps to address the sustainability impacts of their businesses, and integrating ESG considerations into their capital allocation strategies. The firm also cited growing pressure on companies from the investor community, with a recent survey finding institutional investors seeking to ramp green investments and exit investments in poor ESG performers.
Aimed at providing an end-to-end net zero offering, along with insight and thought leadership, the center will provide services ranging from gap analysis and scenario planning to strategy planning, execution and market engagement.
EY’s Net Zero Center will be led by EY Port Jackson Partners’ Director and Partner Blair Comley. Prior to joining EY in 2018, Comley served as CEO of several public service organizations, including as Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet for NSW, responsible for leadership of the department.
Comley said:
“Decarbonisation is the innovation opportunity of a lifetime. It will transform our economy and either directly or indirectly impact the future of every company. It will disrupt existing business models, amplifying complexity and uncertainty, while presenting opportunities to unlock economic potential.”
Other senior members of the center include Steve Hatfield-Dodds, former CEO of the Investor Group on Climate Change, and Pip Best, who led the secretariat of New Zealand’s Sustainable Finance Forum. The center will also be supported by EY’s Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader, Mathew Neslon.
Nelson said:
“For the past two decades EY has been the largest and strongest Oceania advisor on climate change and sustainability strategy. The Net Zero Centre is a key initiative within EY’s sustainability strategy and aims to build our legacy further, bringing the best of our deep expertise in climate change and energy transition with the firm’s strength in organisational strategy to help Australian companies transition and improve their capacity to create long-term value.”