The Intermediary – October 2025 - Flipbook - Page 62
SPECIALIST FINANCE
Opinion
Building a more
sustainable
tomorrow
A
focus on carbon
reduction and
net-zero targets has
rightly been at the
heart of conversations
around the key to
creating a green economy.
Although it’s crucial to emphasise
that behind every target lies the
contribution of people and skills.
Transitioning to a greener economy
should focus on collaboration,
expertise and the financial innovation
that can then become action, from
what was once innovation.
It feels like we’re at a turning point
here in Wales – not only around how
we as a nation can look at maers
like decarbonisation, but also how
we can create a more fair, skilled and
sustainable economy, that works for
all of us.
But what are some other key
takeaways overall that we can factor
in to our thinking around green
skills, and building towards a more
sustainable future?
Foundation for change
Focusing on our work at
Principality Building Society to
begin with, we recognise that
lenders and intermediaries play
a critical role unlocking through
sustainable finance.
We have launched our £20 million
Green Development Fund, which
acts as a dedicated resource to help
finance the creation of greener homes
and energy-efficient developments
across Wales.
The fund supports developers
who are embedding sustainability
into their projects, from low-carbon
building materials to innovative
energy solutions.
By backing these developments, we
are not just supporting construction –
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The Intermediary | October 2025
we are helping to grow the green skills
base across Wales: planners, builders,
architects, and finance professionals
who understand what sustainable
building really means.
It is a tangible example of how
finance can drive real-world
change – and of how collaboration
between lenders, developers,
and intermediaries can make
sustainability achievable, not
aspirational.
Convening and
collaboration
The progress we are able to make
depends on partnerships – across
business, government, education,
and finance.
The power of cross-sector
collaboration lies in convening
different perspectives – lenders,
brokers, developers, and communities
– to shape the skills, innovation, and
financing mechanisms that will define
Wales’ green economy.
At Principality Building Society,
we believe in creating impact beyond
our scale.
That means working closely with
our intermediary partners to identify
opportunities, share knowledge, and
ensure funding decisions support
long-term environmental and
economic resilience.
The opportunity ahead
The intermediaries who will thrive are
those who understand sustainability
not as a compliance issue, but as
a business opportunity – one that
is integral to how we build, lend,
and invest.
Investing in green skills is a sound
business strategy, which can then
profitability and resilience, not
only working as an act of corporate
social responsibility.
NIGEL TAYLOR
is head of brand, impact
and communications
at Principality Building Society
Employees with green skills can
identify and implement efficiency
measures, such as reducing energy
and resource use, which can
significantly cut operational costs.
By investing in green skills
training and developing a sustainable
corporate culture, companies can
boost employee engagement and
motivation, as well as then providing
clear pathways for career development
in green roles helps aract and retain
top talent.
The transition to a green economy
though requires more than just
dedicated “green jobs.” It is about
embedding sustainability across every
function of a business.
This can be seen through finance,
as accountants need green skills for
carbon accounting and sustainability
reporting to guide financial strategy.
Professionals in human resources
and communications also need
skills to bring to life the company’s
commitment to sustainability, and
manage brand reputation.
Company leaders need a strategic
understanding of environmental
challenges to set an example and drive
culture change from the top
By funding greener developments,
upskilling our teams, and aligning
advice with long-term environmental
goals, we can help ensure that the
transition to net zero is inclusive,
prosperous, and achievable.
In providing the financial
foundations, the partnerships, and the
purpose that will help shape a greener,
more sustainable future. ●
