In celebration of Climate Week 2024, we want to shine a spotlight on some of our women leader attendees taking active roles in addressing the critical issues of carbon reduction, clean energy, and sustainability. Two of Trane’s leading lights on these issues, Holly Paeper, President Commercial HVAC, Americas and Becky Wacker, Director of Energy Services Sales took time out of their busy schedules to talk with us.
Do you remember what it was that first attracted you to the issues of sustainability and clean energy?
Holly Paeper: Yes, I do! I’m a mom, and as my child — now a teenager — was growing up, the need to solve the climate crisis become more and more real and pressing to me. We all make choices on where and how to apply our time and talents, and I couldn’t think of a more important area to focus on than the decarbonization of our communities for a better tomorrow. Today, as the leader of Trane Technologies’ Commercial Americas, I’m proud to be an industry transformer and change maker.
Becky Wacker: I like solving really big problems and always have. When I first started in the buildings space, we were solving energy efficiency problems with the goal of helping to minimize energy costs. But as you know, saving energy also helps with sustainability. As those problems became bigger, I knew I could make a bigger impact with my work.
What do you see as the most critical issues as climate week gets underway this year?
Holly Paeper: There are several critical issues this year. Among them, extreme weather events which are increasing the need to create a more resilient built environment. We’re also facing a potential shortage of skilled workers which we’ll need to properly scale decarbonization solutions. Incentives and funding are another major factor, particularly at the legislative level, as more funds will be required to properly execute decarbonization initiatives and accelerate progress. Lastly, I’d say the decarbonization of the industrial sector is something else we need to focus on, since industrial buildings and processes emit more than twice the amount of greenhouse gasses compared to commercial spaces.
Becky Wacker: Climate Week is really about working together, and these big problems are going to require a lot of collaboration to create effective solutions. We need to continue to move towards taking the actions that will help us meet our ambitions. There is no one single solution, which means we need to work as a large collective on an action plan. That takes effort and endurance if we hope to be effective over the long term.
What do you think the opportunities are for businesses that are considering a clean energy transition? In other words: why now?
Holly Paeper: First, there are a variety of energy incentives that businesses can take advantage of. In many instances, companies can help save money while also helping to reduce their carbon footprint, which is a win-win that might not be apparent to some corporate leadership. Second, building owners and operators are feeling more pressure from occupants, customers, and other stakeholders to decarbonize. I suspect this will only increase over time. So why wait? Third, by modernizing facility infrastructure, businesses can create more resilient buildings that help reduce exposure to extreme weather events, fluctuating power rates, and reliance on fossil fuel-based technology.
Becky Wacker: Businesses have a major opportunity to help impact the economic, social, and environmental bottom line. Thinking about sustainability holistically, businesses may help better capture the ROI of the clean energy transition, and not simply in terms of cost avoidance. They can help improve working environments, impact employee engagement, attract customers, and impact productivity. When you consider how much is out there incentivizing change from a funding and legislative standpoint right now, it’s a great opportunity to capture the moment.
What unique perspectives do you think women bring to the climate change/sustainable energy conversation?
Holly Paeper: What a tough question! I can’t speak for all women, but I can speak to what informs my unique perspective. As a woman and leader in this industry, my perspective is shaped by my personal experiences: being a parent, being a professional in the industry. Sustainability is about more than energy reduction. It’s about creating environments where people can work, play, and thrive in. Connecting innovative decarbonization solutions to human well-being is the ultimate opportunity.
Becky Wacker: Having diverse thinking at the table when thinking about sustainability is the only way to fully achieve our goals. That diversity can and should include gender, but should also take into account background, organizational role, education, location, age, and so much more. When you consider the kind of positive impact that can be created by meeting sustainability goals, the more perspectives we can bring to the process, the more comprehensive and actionable our solutions will be.
Looking Back on Engineers Week