Forecast 2021: The “E” in ESG, spotlight on achieving net zero

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In our Forecast 2021 podcast series, we’re focused on preparing you for the year ahead by offering insights to help you better understand and manage some of the opportunities and challenges that your company might face—think policy, technology, and other big picture topics. 

This week, we continue our deep dive into ESG with a talk on the “E,” the environment. As more companies are announcing their commitments to reach net zero emissions, Heather Horn sits down with Casey Herman, PwC’s US Power & Utilities leader, and Ron Kinghorn, PwC’s ESG platform leader, to zero-in on how companies are developing their net zero strategy.

Topics include:

• 1:05 - Timing is everything. While it is possible for companies to reach low carbon or zero carbon energy, the question is how long it will take. We begin by looking at the pace of technology and where different types of companies— producers, industrial users, and non-industrial users—are on the journey to net zero.
• 7:57 - The role of regulation. Investors and consumers are pushing for change. What is the impact of regulation? Casey explains how the role of public policy affects the pace of change, but not the path.
• 11:09 - The ROI on necessary investments. As companies invest and assess the feasibility of new technologies, we look at how they need to turn long-term goals into measurable milestones.
• 19:36 - Managing risk. It is important to be appropriately aggressive, but appropriately thoughtful when developing the right policies and procedures.
• 28:18 - Best practices. Decarbonization is a transformational project. We look at the hard work companies are doing to manage challenges and implement the right plans.
• 30:48 - Future views. There’s a lot left to do. Regardless of the progress made in five years, how satisfied will we be? We close with thoughts on what can be accomplished and how companies leading in reducing their carbon footprint will have a competitive advantage.

Casey mentions the “duck curve.” Want to know more? Check out What the duck curve tells us about managing a green grid.

Want to learn more about ESG? Check out our C-suite summary, Making sense of ESG.

Casey Herman is PwC’s US Power & Utilities Practice leader and heads up the firm's Power & Utilities Practice in the US. Casey has over 30 years of experience leading and working on the audits of many significant, complex clients and is a member of the Edison Electric Institute's Wall Street Advisory Group and the Electric Power Research Institutes Advisory Council.

Ron Kinghorn is PwC’s Consumer Markets consulting leader for the US, Mexico, Japan and China; he also leads the firm’s ESG platform. Ron and his team help clients navigate what's next across the food and beverage, consumer products and retail industries to find growth, capture value, execute deals and win with digital and analytics.

Heather Horn is PwC’s National office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry.

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