Panel 8B: Buildings That Pay Back – Nature-Positive Design and Materials at Scale

The built environment offers one of the fastest routes to resilience and return. From low-carbon materials and circular design to nature-based cooling, urban trees, and permeable surfaces, innovation is turning adaptation into financial value. This session brought together real estate, engineering, and finance leaders to explore how smarter procurement and performance contracts can scale nature-positive design and create buildings that truly pay back. Moderator: Peter Boyd, Resident Fellow, Yale Center for Business and the Environment Speakers: Katerina Papavasileiou, ESG and Responsibility Director, Federated Hermes Scott Tew, Global Head & VP of Sustainability Strategies, Trane Technologies Jon Johnsen, CEO, PKA Francesca Muskovic, Executive Director, Policy, IGCC Mina Hasman, Sustainability Director & Climate Advocacy Lead, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)