#SustyTalk: WSP UK’s David Symons on net-zero pledges and a just recovery

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with environmental services firm WSP's director of sustainability David Symons discussing sector-wide pledges to net-zero emissions and how to build back better from the coronavirus pandemic.


With the UK on lockdown and edie readers working remotely or on furlough, this brand new series of video interviews keeps you connected to the inspirational business leaders who are continuing to drive sustainability and champion climate action from their own homes.

#SustyTalk is all about keeping edie’s loyal readers connected to sustainable business leaders across the world, whilst reminding us all that sustainability and climate action must go on, through the current Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

edie’s content editor Matt Mace discusses the lockdown with WSP UK’s director of sustainability David Symons.

During the discussion, Symons provides an update to the environmental services sector’s pledge campaign, urging companies from across the environmental services sector to set science-based targets and report annually on decarbonisation progress.

Symons, who also sits on the IPPR Environmental Justice Commission, responds to the Commission’s new published recommendations calling on the UK Government to “go faster, further and fairer” to deliver a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

“Yes, we need to go fast on this [climate action] but to do this in a fair way is something that I’ve found interesting to explore,” Symons said. “So how do we do this in a way that provides quality jobs for everybody, including after lockdown, when there could be tough times for people, and that it doesn’t jack up bills for the poorest. I’m hugely optimistic about this.”

Click here to see our catalogue of #SustyTalk video interviews.

View more coronavirus-related content here

Want to be featured on a future episode of #SustyTalk? Email newsdesk@fav-house.com.  

edie staff

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