Decarbonising Construction with Pathways
Pathways is developing AI-enabled technologies that integrate across operations, ingesting supplier data and giving manufacturers insight into the environmental emissions impact. This enables product decarbonisation through emission hot spots, material lifetime trade-offs and the creation of environmental product declarations.
Leise Sandeman is the co-founder of Pathways, building the data-layer for sustainable manufacturing. The software integrates directly into manufacturers data stack generating an environmental digital twin: life-cycle analysis, Environmental Product Declarations, VOC docs and much more. The building industry is responsible for 40% of global emissions, but little attention is being paid to it.
Leise Sandeman has scaled up a venture in recycling and waste management systems in Indonesia and advised companies on strategy, sustainability and tech at McKinsey&Co. She is part of the Harvard Climate Leaders Program, was on the Danish Crown Prince Fellowship at Harvard and part of Danish Sustainable Change Makers.
Q & A with Pathways
Q1: Can you introduce yourself and your background briefly?
A: I’m Leise Sandeman, CEO, and co-founder of Pathways. Our company focuses on life cycle analysis and decarbonisation insights for building material manufacturers. I have a background in sustainability and the built environment, starting my career in London with McKinsey.
Q2: What inspired you to start Pathways?
A: I noticed a significant portion of emissions came from materials in construction. After working with mining companies and Tata Steel in India, I saw the need to address decarbonisation in manufacturing.
Q3: What challenges do you see in the industry regarding decarbonisation?
A: There’s a lack of regulatory support and incentive structures. Many efforts have been seen as trade-offs with revenue and profitability, hindering progress.
Q4: What does success look like for Pathways, and how do you measure impact?
A: We aim to be the data layer for sustainable manufacturing, helping manufacturers decarbonise their operations. Success means enabling change across plants and product lines, measured through metrics like carbon footprint and biodiversity impact.
Q5: What advice would you give to female founders entering challenging industries?
A: Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice. Embrace perspectives that may be different from the norm. And remember, real change often involves tackling unsexy, complex problems.
Q6: Can you briefly explain Pathways’ innovative solution for decarbonising the industry?
A: Pathways offers a platform that allows manufacturers to track their full life cycle impact for every product or plant. We integrate with internal systems to streamline data collection and enable actionable insights.
Q7: How do you navigate the challenges of being a female founder in a male-dominated industry?
A: Embrace the opportunity to bring different perspectives and don’t hesitate to reach out for support and mentorship. Realise that addressing challenging issues like decarbonisation requires perseverance and dedication.
Q8: Any final thoughts or comments?
A: I am excited about the potential impact of Pathways and looks forward to continuing their journey toward sustainable manufacturing. And she encourages others to join the effort to address climate change in meaningful ways.
