Steve Varley
Steve Varley
TITLE : GLOBAL VICE CHAIR SUSTAINABILITY
COMPANY : EY
Steve is the EY Global Vice Chair for Sustainability , leading EY ’ s climate change and sustainability agenda globally in a role that is the first among the Big Four . His primary focus is helping leading companies and governments around the world to create value from sustainability , and accelerate their transition to a lower-carbon future . He also leads EY ’ s overall environmental sustainability strategy across the US $ 45b professional services organization which employs over 350,000 people . Steve is leading the organization ’ s efforts toward net zero and has overseen its ongoing achievement of carbon negative since 2021 . are now incorporating economics , policy , geopolitics , and corporate affairs into their remit , advising CEOs not only on potential impact to business , but also on advantages and benefits that may be gleaned .”
There is even the possibility that a green trade war kicks off , with major trade blocs competing by offering subsidies . This , though , need not be a zero-sum game . Ultimately , the planet stands to benefit if there is more green investment . The CSO will have to be more canny in navigating this climate of heightened tension . Companies should take pains to assess what these
policies could mean for their operations , competitiveness , and supply chain .
Secondly , companies should work harder to show that sustainability policies are in everyone ’ s interest , especially in terms of the bottom line . Varley notes : “ There ’ s a real risk that current policies and actions will not limit global warming to the 1.5 ° C target to minimise the most extreme impacts of climate change . In short , we ’ re not doing enough .” sustainabilitymag . com 55