Construction firm’s vice president of sustainability speaks ahead of toronto event
Ahead of our upcoming IR Impact Forum – Canada, set to be held in Toronto on April 3, we have caught up with some of the event’s leading speakers to understand their outlook for investor communications in Canada.
Prabh Banga is vice president, sustainability on the investor relations team at construction firm Aecon, a company that is a frequent winner of awards at the IR Impact Awards – Canada. She works closely alongside Adam Borgatti, senior vice president, corporate development and investor relations, who also leads Aecon’s sustainability practice.
Below, Banga discusses the current shifts in ESG reporting practices, the challenges that she faces in her day-to-day sustainability work and what she is looking forward to hearing more about at the event.
Tickets to attend the IR Impact Forum – Canada 2025 are available here.
You’ll be talking on a panel titled ‘ESG is dead? – Long live ESG!’ at the IR Impact Forum – Canada. Which aspects of this topic are you keen to explore?
- The concept of ESG and the scrutiny it has recently been facing: for years, critics have argued that ESG lacks standardization and can be used for greenwashing.
- The shift that ESG is making: the practice is shifting towards more rigorous standards, clearer metrics and greater accountability.
- The noise and the fact that despite it, companies and investors are still committing to ESG principles, driven by consumer demand, regulatory pressure and a genuine desire for sustainable practices.
- How ESG is adapting to new challenges and expectations, as well as becoming more rigorous, transparent and outcome-focused.
What else are you looking forward to discussing at the event?
I will be speaking about how companies can improve their ESG disclosures to meet investor expectations and regulatory requirements.
Elsewhere, I am looking forward to gaining insights on best practices, learning from leading IR professionals about strategies for effective communication with investors, enhancing transparency and building long-term shareholder trust. It will be interesting to hear discussions on current market conditions, economic forecasts and how these factors are currently affecting investor sentiment.
The role of technology and AI in enhancing IR practices, including virtual meetings, data analytics and online reporting tools, also interests me. And I’d like to hear real-world examples from companies that have successfully navigated complex IR challenges.
Can you tell us about your background in your role?
As VP of sustainability on the IR team, I play a role in integrating ESG factors into investor communications. My responsibilities include:
- Communicating ESG strategy, highlighting how sustainability drives long-term value and aligns with company goals.
- Investor Engagement, addressing investor concerns on ESG issues, ensuring transparency and trust.
- Sustainability reporting, overseeing ESG disclosures and aligning with standards like IFRS, SASB and TCFD.
- Risk management, specifically integrating ESG risks into enterprise risk considerations.
- Preparing market Insights and updating investors on industry sustainability trends and company positioning.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your profession so far and what do you feel is the next big challenge on the horizon?
Driving sustainability initiatives often requires changing organizational culture, which can be met with resistance. It’s important to balance idealism with practicality when ideal sustainability goals clash with real-world constraints like budget limits, stakeholder priorities or regulatory barriers.
Political and policy uncertainty also poses a challenge, as changes in policies or regulations can affect sustainability programs, especially when working across different regions or sectors.
One of the next big challenges for sustainability (aside for decarbonization and moving away from a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model) is the need for companies to enhance transparency and prove their sustainability claims with robust data and credible third-party verification. Also, climate resilience — adapting operations and supply chains to withstand climate impacts — is increasingly important. As climate-related events like extreme weather become more frequent and severe, companies face risks like supply disruptions, increased costs and operational downtime. Building climate resilience ensures business continuity and protects long-term profitability.
If you were to give your audience at the Forum one piece of advice, what would it be?
My key piece of advice is to stay grounded in the facts and focus on what truly matters to your company: be authentic. In the realm of sustainability, it’s easy to get caught up in the noise — whether it’s fluctuating market sentiments or passing trends. However, by prioritizing transparent, fact-based communication and concentrating on long-term value creation, we can drive meaningful progress. Cut through the distractions and keep your eyes on the core issues — this clarity will empower you to make informed decisions that support sustainable growth.
