Zofnass Program Workshops on ‘The Business Case for Sustainable Infrastructure’

Zofnass Program Workshop

The Business Case for Planning Sustainable Infrastructure (Spring 2017)

April 3-4, 2017

In the April 2017, the first workshop on the Business for Sustainable Infrastructure took place at Harvard Business School and Harvard Graduate School of Design. This Zofnass Workshop was received as great success, which demonstrated the need to continue developing research in this area of focus.

The stakeholder groups that took part in this new research theme included but were not limited to:

1._Commercial and Development Banks

2._Investors and Insurers

3._Planners and Sustainable Infrastructure Professionals

4._Policy Makers and Regulators

5._ Operators and Contractors

Speakers from Brookings Institute,World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, International Finance Corporation, Nathan Associates, Harvard GSD, MassDevelopment, NASH, HBS, The Nature Conservancy, Zurich Insurance, INSEAD, Impact Infrastructure, IDOM, Los Angeles Metro, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, FCC Construction, GYM Ferrovias, Renewables Consulting Group, Stantec, Climate Resilience Consulting, Skanska,  City of Sommerville.

More info on the Spring 2017 Workshop program

 

Zofnass Program Workshop

Putting Together the Puzzle of Sustainable Infrastructure. Making the Business Case and Opportunities for Sustainable Infrastructure (Fall 2017).

October 25, 2017,  8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Location: Brooklyn Bridge Marriott, Brooklyn, NY

This one-day workshop is focused on identifying the key drivers for the future of sustainable infrastructure with special emphasis on the business case for sustainable infrastructure. It will be structured into several presentations and case studies followed by discussion.

The ZPHW will be composed of various presentations on the relationship between “resiliency” and “sustainability”; measuring sustainability with Envision; and the Business Case for Sustainable Infrastructure. Presentations will also focus on the roles of: Infrastructure Banks; Insurance Industry on sustainable infrastructure; “Green Bonds”; Pension Funds; Charitable Foundations and Organizations focused on the protection of the Environment and Nature; and Big Cities. In addition presentations will touch on the following topics: Technical Support for Sustainability; Investment Firms and Potential Benefits of “P-3” Projects; The Growth in Demand by Major Corporations to develop infrastructure sustainably.

Speakers from 100 Resilient Cities / Rockefeller Foundation, Bentley Systems, Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec, CH2M, Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering Environmental Engineering Division, County of Los Angeles Public Works, HNTB, IFC, Impact Infrastructure, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, LA Metro, Louis Berger, Nathan Associates, NYC-Department of Design and Construction, Port Authority of NY & NJ, Riverkeeper, Stantec, The Nature Conservancy, Zofnass Program Harvard University, Zurich Financial Services.

 

 

Zofnass Program Workshop

Making the Business Case for Planning Sustainable Infrastructure. The Puzzle of Sustainable Infrastructure (Spring 2018)

Monday & Tuesday, March 19-20, 2018

ZPH Workshop dedicated to the ongoing research on the Business Case for Sustainability. Under the theme of planning sustainable infrastructure, this workshop aims to: 1. Explore the main issues in making the business case for planning sustainable infrastructure, and identify emerging themes and novel concepts as presented by different stakeholders and case studies; 2. Discuss the different approaches for making the business case for planning sustainable infrastructure.

Speakers from: 100 Resilient Cities / Rockefeller Foundation, Barclays Bank, Bentley Systems, Blackstone, Bouygues Group, CDM Smith, CH2M (now Jacobs), Climate Institute, Colas Group USA, Columbia University, Ecology & Environment, Harvard Business School, HNTB, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, Kiewit Infrastructure Group, Los Angeles Metro, Louis Berger, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), NYC Department of Design and Construction, Skanska, Stantec, The Nature Conservancy, NV5, QStone Capital, Power Engineers, Social Finance, Stantec, Zofnass Program Harvard University.

 

Zofnass Program Workshop

Innovations for a Sustainable Infrastructure

Monday & Tuesday, November 12-13, 2018

Innovations for sustainable and resilient infrastructure are disrupting the business as usual approach to infrastructure. The focus of the ZPH Workshop is to discuss what are the key innovations addressing environmental challenges and driving sustainable projects on all phases of infrastructure development: planning & financing, construction, and operation & maintenance. The different panels explore the role of stakeholders in disruptive projects, and how are these innovative solutions financed and developed.

The workshop is structured into the following panels: 1) Synergies and Integration for Sustainable Infrastructure; CS)  HBS Case Study on Sustainability; 2)  Disruptive Technologies towards Sustainability; 3)  Sustainable Development Goals and Innovation; 4)  What types of Procurement lead to Sustainable Projects?; 5)  A Case Study: Rebuilding Water Systems in Puerto Rico after Maria: thinking out of the box?

SPEAKERS FROM:

Barclays, Bentley Systems, City of Columbus, City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering, Columbus Yellow Cab, FEMA Water Sector Puerto Rico, EFCG, Harvard Business School, Harvard University, HNTB, Inter-American Development Bank, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, Kadak Associates, LOEB Fellowship GSD, Louis Berger, NV5, Parsons, Rebuild by Design, 100 Resilient Cities, Stantec, Texas Central Railway, TRC, University of Geneva, Wren House Infrastructure Management, Zofnass Program Harvard University.

 

 

Zofnass Program Workshop

Towards Establishing “The Business Case for Planning Sustainable Infrastructure”: Insights from Infrastructure Cases

April 17-18, 2019

At the Zofnass Program at Harvard, ongoing research on “the Business Case for Planning Sustainable infrastructure” indicates that sustainability pays off. Sustainability contributes to savings and to avoiding costs and reducing the risks. The April 2019 Zofnass Workshop is dedicated to discussing insights through case studies, where sustainability is a central part of the project’s strategy.

The April ZPH Workshop will serve as a platform to further understand trends, fundamental partnerships, innovative schemes, and the value that sustainable projects bring for people, profitability and the environment. Panelists and attendees will further explore how sustainable infrastructure contributes to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Paris accord.

The panels are structured according to either (1) case studies, which we have already studied or (2) projects that have the potential to develop into case studies to fill gaps in our research spectrum. The panels focus on sustainable project portfolio management, sustainability-linked financing, sustainability in developing countries, zero emissions vehicles, autonomous vehicles improving efficiencies, solar hybrid microgrids in emergency power operations, natural capital approach to water infrastructure, digital models improving project delivery and asset performance, among others. The ZPH Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory Board members, key partners in case study development, will have an active role in the presentation and moderation of the panels.

SPEAKERS FROM:

Arup, Bentley Systems, Cadmus Group, EFCG, Golder Associates, Harvard Business School, HNTB, Inter-American Development Bank, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, Jacksonville Transit Authority, Kiewit Infrastructure Group, Louis Berger, Shimizu Corporation, Sound Transit, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory Board, United Nations Environment, University of Geneva, WestGen, World Bank, World Wildlife Fund, Wren House Infrastructure Management, WSP, Zofnass Program Harvard University

Reading materials:

 

DAY 1

PANEL 1. Contributing towards a Global Sustainability Agenda. Integration towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The UN Effort

1. UN Environment Resolution on Sustainable Infrastructure.

2. UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Architecture guidebook.

PANEL 2. Valuing Sustainability in Infrastructure Investments: The WWF Report

3. WWF Report: Valuing Sustainability in Infrastructure Investments.

4. Case Study: Peralta Wind Power Project, Sustainable Infrastructure in Latin America: Infrastructure 360º Awards, pp. 407-421.

5. Detailed Envision Sustainability Assessment – Case Study: Peralta Wind Power Project, Uruguay.

PANEL 3. Insights from Sustainable Energy Infrastructure (in Room 109)

6. Case Study: Solar Hybrid Microgrids in Emergency Power Management.

 

DAY 2

PANEL 4. Insights from Sustainable Projects in Developing Countries: Financing and Engineering

7. Case Studies: Sustainable Infrastructure in Latin America: Infrastructure 360º Awards, pp. 35-371.

HBS Case Study Session

8. Los Olmos Irrigation infrastructure in Peru (hard copies available during event).

PANEL 5. Transportation Infrastructure

9. Case Study: Crossrail -Elizabeth Line, London UK.

PANEL 6. Insights from Water Infrastructure

10. Case Study: Thames Water.

 

Detailed workshop program below and at link.