Two Sustainability Leaders Join PwC's Sustainable Business Solutions Practice

NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PwC US today announced the hiring of two recognized leaders in sustainability who bring experience in sustainability strategy, implementation, supplier assessment, finance and assurance, and climate change and carbon consulting to the firm's Sustainable Business Solutions practice. 

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Eric Israel, who joins PwC as a managing director, is a former KPMG managing director and that firm's US advisory practice leader on climate change and sustainability.  He has more than 25 years of experience with KPMG where he began his career in the Netherlands as a Chartered Accountant.  Later, Israel moved into sustainability consulting where he has focused his work for nearly 14 years.  Israel has global experience in sustainable development concepts and application, finance and sustainability assurance, climate change and carbon consulting & verification, business research and development, as well as knowledge management and corporate governance.  He also has participated in the work of organizations such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Consortium and the AICPA's and CICA's joint Sustainability Task Force.

Israel co-founded KPMG's Global Sustainability Services practice and wrote KPMG's first Sustainability Audit Manual.  He received his BA in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.  He will be based in PwC's New York office.

Clinton Moloney, also joining the SBS practice as a managing director, is formerly of Blu Skye Sustainability Consulting.  He has 12 years of experience in strategy consulting in the U.S., U.K., Australia and Southeast Asia.  Moloney's clients have spanned the technology, financial services, consumer products and pharmaceutical industries, where he has leveraged his expertise in developing sustainability strategy and partnering with clients to build the capabilities, processes and structures that equip their businesses to execute effectively. 

Moloney earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, and his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.  He will be based in the firm's San Francisco office.

"I am pleased to welcome Eric and Clinton as managing directors to our growing practice and I am confident their extensive knowledge and experience will be of great value to our clients," said Kathy Nieland, PwC's US Sustainable Business Solutions Leader. "By identifying and analyzing risks and opportunities, and implementing sound strategies to create value for businesses, Eric and Clinton will be integral in guiding our clients to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace."

Businesses and, in particular, CEOs increasingly recognize sustainability as more than an environmental issue, and are making sustainable business practices core business imperatives. According to the 2011 Global CEO Survey, 72 percent of CEOs said they would actively support policies that promote "smart growth" – growth that is financially, socially and environmentally sustainable.

"Today, the importance of sustainability leadership is unprecedented. Government and businesses are beginning to understand the paradigm shift and its impact on communities across the nation, in particular, its impact on the bottom line," said Moloney. "PwC offers a unique opportunity to help clients navigate through current trends and provide guidance on innovative strategies for the future that are core to the business."

Sustainability is becoming a strategic, compliance, operational, reputational and financial imperative that cuts across the spectrum of business operations, from financial reporting to supply chain management to risk assessment and mitigation. Working with PwC, Israel and Moloney will help PwC broaden conversations with clients and assist them in finding opportunities for growth through sustainable solutions.

"Businesses are increasingly exploring the value associated with sustainability initiatives and how that same value can be felt through the entire enterprise," said Israel. "There is increasing demand to invest in the future and sustainability is a large part of that investment. Through my years of experience, I will have the privilege of working with clients on implementation and risk assurance while helping them expand their corporate social responsibility programs and reporting."

About PwC's Sustainable Business Solutions Practice

PwC's Sustainable Business Solutions practice provides practical strategies to help businesses address strategic, compliance, operational, reputational and financial sustainability-related issues. Our global network of firms has more than 700 assurance, advisory, and tax professionals who are dedicated to providing sustainability and climate change business advice. Leveraging our deep industry knowledge, we help clients achieve sustainability goals, capitalize on efficiencies, mitigate risks, and find solutions that can lead to long-term profitability. To learn more, visit http://www.pwc.com/us/sustainability.

About the PwC Network

PwC firms help organizations and individuals create the value they're looking for. We're a network of firms in 158 countries with close to 169,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com.

© 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the US member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

SOURCE PwC US