Financial institutions have a critical role to play promoting sustainable leadership, managing climate risk and supporting a just, sustainable transition.

Matt Handford

EY Americas Financial Services Climate Change and Sustainability Leader

Experienced climate and sustainability professional. Leader with a global client perspective. Deep understanding of interactions and dependencies between capital markets and carbon-intensive sectors.

As EY Americas Financial Services Climate Change and Sustainability Leader, Matt focuses on climate risk, decarbonization and sustainability value in the finance sector, including banking and capital markets and insurance. Matt advises a wide variety of clients on their low-carbon strategies, transition planning and enhancing long-term value creation through sustainability outcomes.

Matt has led and shaped GHG emission reduction strategies, climate risk and ESG disclosures, working with clients on ambition and operationalizing strategy in the business. He particularly focuses on helping boards and C-level executives connect the sustainability agenda to core business strategy and vision. He has worked in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the US and continues to support clients with global footprints around the world.

He has a BSc (Environmental Management) from the University of South Africa and BSocSc (Industrial Psychology and Information Systems) from Rhodes University, South Africa.

How Matt is building a better working world

“I’m passionate about a sustainable finance agenda that creates value for all stakeholders. Helping business leaders define and achieve their sustainability goals is a collaborative journey that requires an understanding of the risks and opportunities we are taking on in order to build a better working world. Being part of that journey and supporting better outcomes is inspiring to me.”

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