Sidara Voices & Visions
A Conversation with Adam Mactavish, Chair of Sidara’s Sustainability Council and Director of Sustainability at Currie & Brown
Perspectives from the forefront of sustainable transformation As the built environment faces mounting pressure to meet net-zero targets, the path forward demands more than innovation—it requires alignment. In this Voices & Visions edition, we sit down with Adam Mactavish, Chair of Sidara’s Sustainability Council and Director of Sustainability at Currie & Brown, to explore how design, data, and purpose must converge to solve today’s most complex sustainability challenges. Fresh off the momentum of London Climate Week 2025, where leaders across sectors came together to accelerate climate action, Adam shares why systems thinking and collaboration are vital to driving measurable, lasting impact across our global industry. At Sidara, we believe that sustainability isn’t an isolated effort—it’s embedded in how we design, plan, and build with intention. Through this conversation, we look at the practical realities of building for resilience, and the leadership needed to keep progress honest, equitable, and future-focused.
Adam Mactavish Chair of Sidara's Sustainability Council and Director of Sustainability at Currie & Brown, London
We’ve just marked London Climate Action Week with a series of events at 150 Holborn. Why are initiatives like this important?
"Events like London Climate Action Week are far more than just symbolic gestures. They’re catalysts for meaningful progress. They provide a platform for industries, policymakers, and communities to come together, not just to share what they’re doing, but to challenge each other to go further. The big driver here is to create a sense of shared responsibility.
If we provide space for open, cross-sector dialogue, we can break down silos and build consensus around what needs to happen next. Platforms like this also give visibility to pioneering work that’s already underway, which can be incredibly motivating. When people see that others share their ambitions – and are making real strides – it builds confidence and momentum."
“We must acknowledge these climate impacts, bring people together to have the challenging conversations, and start responding right now.”
Tell us one thing that really resonated with you as part of the week’s events?
"For me, the discussions around climate resilience were extremely important. For a long time now, we have been focused squarely on achieving net zero. While important, it’s only part of the picture. We are already experiencing hotter summers, more intense rainfall, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events. As I wrote in an article on the subject, we must acknowledge this, bring people together to have the challenging conversations, and start responding right now. Through new solutions in design and construction, we can create cities that are more resilient in the face of changing weather patterns, but we cannot bury our heads in the sand – the time is now, and the stakes could not be higher."
Speaking of bringing people together and focusing on the challenges as a whole, is there an initiative that you're most proud of that has made a real difference?
"A lot of what we talked about at Climate Week was exactly that – thinking of the solution in its entirety. If we are to build a genuinely sustainable built environment, the road to success is just as much about policy and changing behaviors as it is designing the solutions.
On a personal level, I’d say I’m most proud of a project I led for the Climate Change Commission, where we reviewed building standards across the UK to assess their alignment with net zero goals.
Our analysis showed a clear need for a shift to heat pumps and higher energy efficiency. This work went on to directly influence government policy – leading to the commitment to ban fossil fuels in new homes by 2025. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how small ideas can grow into policy that reshapes how we build for a low-carbon future."
Why does sustainability matter when it comes to shaping organizations and their culture?
"More and more, people want to work for organizations that reflect their values, and sustainability is at the heart of that. At Sidara, our vision is to embed it into every decision, every service, and every conversation – so that we’re not only helping clients meet their environmental goals, but also empowering our people to drive meaningful change through their work.
This means demonstrating how sustainability isn't a separate initiative but a shared opportunity that drives growth, sparks innovation, and builds long-term value. Through thoughtfully designed training programs, hosting events such as Climate Action Week, and recognition systems that celebrate sustainability achievements, we can foster a culture where our environmental commitment is visible everywhere."
The solutions to the climate crisis can sometimes be seen as complex and highly technical. How do you make sure the work that you do is properly understood?
"Sustainability can seem complicated, even daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to connect it to what people already care about. I focus on finding solutions that deliver multiple benefits: lower costs, better performance, and reduced environmental impact. When you can show how a single intervention – like a blue-green roof – improves thermal comfort, cuts energy use, and supports biodiversity, it becomes a compelling, common-sense choice.
It’s also about storytelling backed by evidence. I tailor the message to the audience – whether it’s risk reduction for executives or efficiency gains for operations teams. When sustainability is framed in familiar terms and linked to real-world outcomes, it becomes not just relatable but relevant."
Throughout your career, you have worked on projects and initiatives right across the world. Is there one that really stands out to you?
"One of the most memorable projects I’ve ever worked on was the new design studios for Jaguar Land Rover in the UK. What made this project stand out was that we were able to challenge the assumption that sustainability always comes at a premium. By refining the design, we delivered a solution that was more energy efficient, significantly lower in carbon, and, crucially, less expensive to build. The project achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating, which is a great benchmark, but the real breakthrough was in demonstrating that cost and carbon don’t have to be in conflict. When I first entered the industry, the prevailing narrative was that sustainable buildings were too expensive to be viable. This project helped turn that thinking on its head."
“When I first entered the industry, the prevailing narrative was that sustainable buildings were too expensive to be viable. This project helped turn that thinking on its head.”
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope your work in sustainability will leave for future generations?
"When I first started in sustainability over 20 years ago, most clients were focused on doing the bare minimum to meet modest environmental goals. But over time, I’ve seen a remarkable shift—ambitions have grown, and the industry has begun to rise to the challenge. I’m proud to have played a part in building the confidence of clients and policymakers to aim higher and go further. My hope is that by the time I step away from this work, we’ll be routinely delivering buildings that are not only zero carbon but also resilient to future climates. The legacy I’d like to leave is a built environment shaped by thoughtful, forward-looking decisions—where sustainability is embedded in every project, not as an obligation, but as a shared value. If I can help shift the mindset from compliance to opportunity, and show that environmental and economic goals can go hand in hand, that’s a legacy I’d be proud of."
As we reflect on London Climate Action Week, this edition of Voices & Visions highlights how sustainability is not just a technical challenge—it’s a cultural shift powered by shared values, bold action, and long-term thinking.
To learn more about how Adam Mactavish and the team at Currie & Brown are helping shape a low-carbon future, connect with him on LinkedIn and explore the impact of their work around the world.
Adam Mactavish Chair of Sidara's Sustainability Council and Director of Sustainability at Currie & Brown
