Soccer, ESG, and the ‘Final Third’: Insights from Jack Davis

Meet
Jack Davis

Introducing Jack Davis, our new VP of ESG Strategy. With nearly three decades working at the intersection of utilities and real estate, Jack has seen some things. A natural consultant and skilled problem solver, he has designed and managed numerous award-winning ESG programs and market transformation initiatives. Creative yet practical, Jack relishes working with real estate leaders to add value through smart ESG strategies.

SOCCER, ESG, AND THE ‘FINAL THIRD’

How do you win at ESG?

It’s a complicated question, and there are no silver bullet solutions. But in my experience, there is a pathway that works. It’s a fundamental progression that establishes a template for success and enables a shift from ‘playing’ to ‘winning.’ To explore this, perhaps we can learn from the world of competitive sports…

For example, soccer.

Bear with me a bit. You see, I am very fond of soccer (and misguided metaphors 😊). I find that re-framing one’s thinking can help clarify understanding and illuminate new opportunities. When thinking about ESG strategy—and advising and guiding our clients—sometimes it’s best to adopt a new perspective. Like soccer… and ESG… and what’s known as the ‘Final Third.’

Imagine a soccer field divided into three equal parts. The first is your defensive third, with your own goal at your back and the rest of the field before you. The middle portion is aptly called the midfield, and the last ‘final third’ is where your opponent’s goal resides. Astute soccer tacticians will build game plans that progress across the pitch from your defensive third and through the midfield, setting the team up to score goals in the final third.

A winning ESG journey can similarly be broken up into thirds… building on and moving through each successive part of the ‘pitch’. I like to think of each ESG zone as follows:

• Data
• Disclosure
• Decisions

Data is your defense. It’s where you hold the line, measure performance, and build/document your story. Without good data, your game plan is doomed. A modern soccer tactic is to “play out of the back,” meaning start your attack from your defensive third. Likewise, every ESG program should “play out of the back” and begin with good data as the foundation of their efforts. One of the reasons I was excited to join the Conservice team was its access to and ability to manage ESG data.

In soccer, the midfield is a place of transitions, passing, and dynamic interchange. It’s the mixer. Synching back to our ESG metaphor—disclosure is the midfield. With disclosure, you’re taking your data, assessing where things stand, engaging stakeholders, and fostering a transparent view of performance. And note, I am deliberately using a broad definition of disclosure—including most forms of reporting, benchmarking, and sharing of ESG status. Participating in GRESB, conducting a GHG inventory, and submitting climate risk data to the SEC are all forms of disclosure, as are materiality assessments and building certifications. With each, you are fundamentally framing your data (and your story) to meet the needs of various audiences – whether it be internal management, residents, regulators, or investors. It’s the midfield exchange of information rather than the soccer ball.

Which leads us to the final third. Decisions. The final third is where games are won or lost, where you outmaneuver the competition, take your shot, and score goals. It’s the part of the field that relies on earlier buildup and foundational play, that leverages teamwork and collaboration to get you into a scoring position.

How you use your data and disclosers drives the success of your ESG strategy. What are you going to focus on?  How do your ESG efforts support your real estate strategy?  What experts or technical resources do you need to move forward?  And once you resolve these questions —how will you execute?  These are the decisions that come next and are necessary to score goals and win the game.

That’s what I am hoping to help unlock here at Conservice; our ability to further support and advise clients on leveraging their ESG data and disclosures for better real estate decisions. Think of Conservice as a decision support system, helping you progress the game from the bill to the boardroom. That’s my mission. We have a great team in place and the platform necessary to develop and execute your game plan and win at ESG.

Look for additional ideas and announcements (and perhaps more awkward soccer metaphors) from me and the Conservice team in the future!

Until then,

Jack

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Jack Davis

With nearly three decades working at the intersection of utilities and real estate, Jack has seen some things. A natural consultant and skilled problem solver, he has designed and managed numerous award-winning ESG programs and market transformation initiatives.