Insight Insight 2026-03-17
Reading between the risks: why environmental action can’t wait
Recent years have been dominated by urgent crises - geopolitical instability, conflict, energy shocks, inflation, cyber-attacks, and misinformation - that have naturally commanded immediate attention from governments and organisations worldwide. Reflecting this, the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 shows near-term focus on these pressing threats, with environmental risks like extreme weather and pollution pushed down policy agendas despite their profound long-term consequences.
Looking beyond the short term, environmental risks dominate the next decade’s outlook: five of the top ten global threats directly threaten planetary systems, including extreme weather, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, resource shortages, and pollution. These risks are already manifesting through intensified floods, heatwaves, disrupted supply chains, and rising costs. Staying committed to long-term environmental action is essential - not only to safeguard communities and the planet but also to preserve business resilience. Decarbonisation, nature-positive strategies, circular resource use, and climate adaptation must become core business imperatives, demanding sustained investment, expertise, and collective effort amid competing short-term pressures.
Equans UK & Ireland acknowledges the complexity of these environmental risks and the importance of developing practical, investible solutions. Last year, our team hosted a closed-door roundtable during the Climate Innovation Forum, gathering leaders from government, healthcare, NGOs, and academia. The consensus was clear: climate action in the built environment must now reflect national priorities for economic growth, energy security and resilience, while continuing to drive decarbonisation.
Based on the roundtable discussion, our published whitepaper, “Climate action for growth, security and resilience", aligns strongly with the WEF Global Risk Report. It highlights five insights: reframing net zero for public benefit, envisioning future funding models, recognising climate resilience as essential, building investible local projects, and prioritising adaptation funding in climate finance.
Testament to our dedication to positive environmental change and continuous improvement, our newly launched Circular Economy strategy sets out a seven-step action plan comprising: embodied carbon analysis, develop supply chain net zero action plans, develop and deliver circular economy training, embedding circularity into procurement processes, designing out waste from our sites and projects, recirculate products and materials and regenerate nature. Linked to our broader commitments on decarbonisation and nature regeneration, and to help meet our net zero scope 3 emissions target by 2050, this plan embeds circularity across procurement to eliminate waste from sites and operations, and recirculate materials. Success requires widespread engagement with suppliers, employees, and all stakeholders to drive meaningful change for environmental resilience and sustainable business performance.
As corporate partners of the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS) and members of the School’s FM Leadership Group and Waste & Resource Working Group, we have collaborated with the School to develop online learning resources and webinars, open to our entire supply chain. Last year, we delivered our vision for a circular economy to key supply chain partners during the SCSS’s ‘Designing Out Waste’ webinar - demonstrating our commitment to developing and delivering accessible circular economy training for our supply chain and supporting practical change across the industry.
Protecting the environment and enhancing biodiversity is at the heart of our service delivery. We have robust nature conservation procedures to avoid adverse impacts on designated habitats, vulnerable species, and to prevent the spread of invasive species. Every contract completes a protected areas and species checklist to assess risks and opportunities related to local biodiversity. Where significant risk or potential is identified, we produce a Biodiversity Action Plan to guide positive outcomes. Notably, the Equans Tree Fund established in 2019 has facilitated the planting of over 15,000 trees across customer and community sites, often during National Tree Planting Week, with volunteers from our business, local communities and clients. For example, last year, over 200 trees alone were planted in Rotherham at Redhill Recreation Ground in Kiveton Park alongside Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
Advancement on environmental risks is not the work of any one company, sector, or government. It requires partnerships, persistence, and decisive investment - even as short-term crises compete for attention. Translating risk awareness into consistent action is how we safeguard security, sustainability, and prosperity.
As the WEF Global Risks Report advocates:
- Make climate-adaptive design standard for new and retrofit infrastructure.
- Embed climate, biodiversity, and resource security in supply chains and strategic planning.
- Restore and protect biodiversity as planetary insurance.
- Invest in research, standards, and innovation for climate-safe, resource-efficient technologies.
Ultimately, progress cannot await perfect circumstances. We must address acute issues and chronic risks simultaneously. The actions we take today - individually and collectively - define our ability to protect our communities, economies, and the planet for the future.
