Welcome to the Bonus Episode of our ‘Countdown to COP: Financing and Fuelling the Future’ podcast series where we turn the tables on our series host, Dubai Projects Partner Mhairi Main Garcia, who answers questions from WFW’s Global Sustainability Lead, Ben Churchill.

This episode discusses the key takeaways from the series overall including the need for improved regulation, transparency, and collaboration across industry and sector participants to drive transition, the cost of inaction and the impact of individuals in addressing climate change.

Mhairi and Ben also examine the power of voluntary disclosures and target setting in driving energy transition forward. This is something that informed WFW’s decision to set global science-based targets, approved by the SBTi. WFW has committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 70% by 2023 from a 2019 base year and to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 54.6% in the same time frame. You can read more about our near-term science-based emissions reduction target here (link to press release).

Mhairi is a Partner in the Projects and Corporate group specialising in energy and infrastructure in the MENA region, with a particular focus on the renewable sector. She is a member of the Board and Vice-Chair of the Clean Energy Business Council.

The information provided in this episode is for general and illustrative purposes only and is not intended to provide advice, please see here.

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is delighted to launch episode seven of our ‘Countdown to COP: Financing and Fuelling the Future’ podcast series. This week, Mhairi Main Garcia is joined by Finance Partner José María Anarte to discuss the journey to net zero in the infrastructure sector, touching both on social infrastructure and transport infrastructure as well as emerging sub-sectors such as data centres.

The key challenge facing the sector is ageing or a lack of existing infrastructure, which will greatly impact the drive to decarbonise the sector. Steps will need to be taken to address this and other challenges including strengthening net zero policies and regulations to level the playing field for low carbon producers along with a public-private investment agenda that incentivises financial investment in infrastructure projects. There also needs to be an integration of global knowledge and innovation. However, the infrastructure sector can and is contributing toward achieving net zero.

Based in Madrid, José María has more than 20 years of experience advising on all types of infrastructure assets and is currently co-leading WFW’s infrastructure campaign, coordinating the firm’s infrastructure capabilities on a global basis.

To discuss any aspect of this episode further, please do reach out to Mhairi Main Garcia, José María Anarte or your usual WFW contact.

 The information provided in this episode is for general and illustrative purposes only and is not intended to provide advice, please see here.

Watson Farley & Williams is delighted to launch episode six of our ‘Countdown to COP: Financing and Fuelling the Future’ podcast series. This week, Mhairi discusses the aviation sector with Global Aviation Sector Co-Head, Jim Bell.

While the aviation sector is pushing toward achieving net zero by 2050, it faces serious challenges. Not least the challenge of the physics of flight and the associated limitations, but also challenges around the timing required for safety and testing before new technology can take effect.

 Sustainable aviation fuels, while presenting their own challenges, are the principal hope for betterment in aviation at present and significant investment into their production will be an important step in the drive toward net zero over the next five years. Having a global definition of what is considered a sustainable aviation fuel would also be beneficial for what is a global industry.

 But perhaps the most important element of the drive toward achieving net zero by 2050 is a continued focus on what can be considered and classified as ‘green’ amongst existing transitional technology to attract investment into the sector.

 Jim has significant experience in advising financiers, lessors and operators on structured and asset finance, with the majority of his practice focussed on the aviation industry. He has led on some of the most innovative, complex and high profile structured and asset finance transactions, including many ‘Deal of the Year’ award-winning transactions.

 To discuss any aspect of this episode further, please do reach out to Mhairi Main Garcia, Jim Bell or your usual WFW contact. And to sign up to receive all forthcoming episodes of this podcast series, please click here.

The information provided in this episode is for general and illustrative purposes only and is not intended to provide advice, please see here.