A greater focus on sustainability will be a game changer for the highly cyclical airline industry, by reducing operating costs, increasing margins, and catalyzing new product development.

With fuel costs the single biggest line item, the industry has already begun to focus on implementing more sustainable practices, such as efficient taxiing, reducing aircraft weight, and retrofitting older planes. But there is yet more airlines can achieve, from implementing new clean tech to generate operational savings to developing revenue-boosting ancillary products for corporate customers that want to reduce their carbon footprint.  

Oliver Wyman’s Sustainability Center and Aviation Practice have deep expertise working with international and regional carriers to apply practical, results-driven approaches to developing sustainability strategies and tools that can reduce fuel costs and unlock new revenue streams.

In the near future, sustainable resource management will become a de facto standard for the automotive industry, which faces skyrocketing resource prices and growing customer demand for more sustainable products.

The automotive industry already has been moving to integrate clean tech into manufacturing processes and develop sustainable product offerings such as lightweight components and e-mobility.  But for automotive OEMs and suppliers to keep pace with market trends, much more is needed, and possible—from innovative process improvement and facilities management to product innovation.  For example, reducing energy usage in plants through measures such as efficient lighting, better insulation and heat recovery can cut energy consumption by 20 to 30 percent.

Oliver Wyman’s Sustainability Center and Automotive Practice work with major automotive OEMs and suppliers to develop sustainable solutions that can reduce costs and drive revenue growth. We have a proven track record in the industry of helping our clients develop innovative solutions in response to changing technologies and markets.

Energy companies and utilities will realize new opportunities for growth by keeping pace with emerging clean tech and renewable offerings to develop a sustainable technology advantage.

On the supply side, utilities will need to anticipate the regulatory landscape and rightsize investments to demand. On the demand side, sustainable clean tech options (e.g., smart meters, smart grids, energy efficient building design, improved demand management, new energy storage options) can help drive down long-term costs and improve distribution management.

Oliver Wyman’s Sustainability Center and Energy Practice have deep experience working with energy companies and utilities to understand changing markets and technologies, improve their businesses and manage risks. We provide a proven, results-oriented approach to analyzing opportunities for growth across all sectors of the market.

Banks, pension funds, and private investors are increasingly aware that sustainability and clean tech will be critical drivers of future business growth. Equally, the risks associated with poor environmental management in relation to investment are becoming better understood.

The €270 billion annual investment required to achieve CO2 reduction goals just within the EU will yield huge opportunities for banks to create new funds and bespoke financial products. In addition, investors increasingly want to know if environmental risks could unduly expose investment portfolios to losses.

Oliver Wyman is a leading advisor to the financial services industry, with decades of experience serving the world’s top 100 financial institutions. The Sustainability Center and Financial Services Practice provide tools that enable transparent risk assessment and mitigation, with strong backing from experts who understand the sustainability issues related to specific industries.

A focus on sustainability can be an avenue to enhanced revenue and more efficient processes for manufacturers, who are constantly under pressure to innovate in response to market trends and changing customer needs.

Some manufacturers are already seeing the results of sustainable practices, in terms of leaner operations and reduced costs for energy, water and waste.  At the same time, product innovation can generate new customer demand and get manufacturers on supplier shortlists.

Oliver Wyman’s Sustainability Center and Manufacturing Practice assist clients in defining and implementing strategies for sustainable growth. Our consultants have deep experience in cost reduction, implementing lean tools, and optimizing manufacturing processes.

In an increasingly price-competitive environment, sustainability is a must for retailers hoping to differentiate their products and reduce costs.

A focus on sustainability is not only a smart way for retailers to improve the cost efficiency of their operations (e.g., by reducing energy and water usage, improving load factors), but can provide opportunities for new product/service creation and enhance procurement and supply chain management.

Furthermore, sustainability is expected to grow in importance as a factor in consumer purchasing decisions. Retailers will want to ensure their product offers and branding are aligned with this new reality.

Oliver Wyman’s Sustainability Center and Retail Practice work together to help clients move toward retail solutions that drive growth. We have a 20 year track record of helping clients develop and execute programs with demonstrable and sustained impact.

In an increasingly urbanized world, sustainability is a key differentiator for urban centers seeking to attract economic investment and provide a high-quality environment for citizens and businesses.

For developing cities facing expanding needs for resources such as water, power and land, a focus on sustainability can improve demand management for residential and commercial buildings and reduce the long-term costs of infrastructure development.  

For developed cities with stable or contracting populations, sustainability can offer new avenues of economic growth, such as the development of clean tech industries, as well as strategies to manage the high fixed costs that come with aging infrastructure and a stagnant revenue base.

Oliver Wyman provides strategic planning support to cities and regions to support quality of life, economic growth and resource security. Our experts work with utilities, industries, and government authorities at all levels to develop land use plans and more efficient infrastructure, identify innovative financing and create better policy & governance structures.

The transportation & logistics industry is particularly susceptible to the issue of energy sustainability. Clean technologies such as next-gen trains and trucks and alternative fuels, combined with energy-reducing strategies such as route optimization and transloading, hold the promise of reducing operating costs and exposure to fuel price shocks.  

Furthermore, there is an opportunity for transportation & logistics companies to take the lead in helping their own customers develop more sustainable practices, creating new business opportunities and enhancing competitiveness and differentiation.  

Oliver Wyman’s Sustainability Center and Transportation & Logistics Practice work with some of the world’s largest transportation and logistics firms to develop aggressive cost reduction programs and creative growth strategies. Our deep industry experience can help your organization improve the bottom line and better prepare for future sustainability challenges.