A View on the Future of Environmental Planning: A Q&A with Zein Mocke

Tell us a bit about what a day in the life is like as Jacobs Global Solutions Director for Environmental Planning, and what we offer to our clients in this area. 

Every day is an opportunity to connect our global teams with clients tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. My team and I drive strategic growth, innovation and delivery excellence across our projects.  

My work falls into two main areas. The first focuses on solving ‘universal’ challenges that create a positive impact for clients and the communities they serve. This includes internal efforts such as streamlining environmental studies to help clients save time in permitting or collaborating across markets to deliver solutions that enhance infrastructure resilience and improve quality of life. The second is staying closely connected to our clients — understanding their unique needs and bringing together the right people, tools and processes to solve their challenges responsibly and efficiently while driving meaningful, positive outcomes. 

Building on this foundation, our specialists have become the go-to resources for understanding and improving environmental and social conditions through expertise and a tailored approach.  

We achieve this through: 

• Biodiversity, landscape and cultural heritage assessments 

• Meaningful stakeholder engagement 

• Strategies for environmental enhancement and natural systems regeneration 

• Quantifying the value and trade-offs of development and organizational decisions 

What excites me most is that our experts don't apply solutions in isolation. They understand strategic priorities, shifting regulatory and policy landscapes, regional and cultural context and the fundamental practicalities of implementation.  

How are you helping our clients think differently about environmental planning? 

Environmental planning is no longer only about compliance—it’s about embedding resilience, sustainability and well-being into every project. By embracing advanced technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration and a long-term value mindset, we help clients drive meaningful, lasting impact. 

One way we achieve this is by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled tools and predictive analytics. These innovations allow clients to visualize risks, model scenarios and gather broader stakeholder perspectives to make informed, responsible decisions. Our differentiation lies in pairing these tools with technical depth, stringent quality controls and a focus on measurable, implementable outcomes. As scrutiny of green claims intensifies, we can deliver credible, actionable advice. 

As sustainability imperatives expand beyond carbon to include biodiversity and equity, we help clients navigate these evolving priorities. Our experience ensures corporate commitments align with practical realities, maximizing their likelihood of success. By understanding the intricacies of value chains and stakeholder expectations across different geographies, we tailor solutions that drive impactful, lasting results. We are supporting a major aviation client in the Middle East at both the organizational level, developing a comprehensive sustainability and environmental assurance strategy, and at the project level, collaborating with master planning and development teams on regenerative land-use planning, social value, environmental permitting and sustainability certification. By integrating expertise across environmental and sustainability disciplines and working across all our markets, we are driving meaningful, long-term outcomes for a more sustainable future. 

Resiliency is a critical part of many clients and communities’ focus today. Where do you see the industry heading? 

The industry is evolving rapidly as planning resilient infrastructure is increasingly more important. I see three key shifts shaping the future: 

1. Holistic Resiliency Solutions: The integration of nature-based and regenerative approaches addresses mitigation, and adaptation challenges and delivers co-benefits such as improved health and well-being, resource efficiency, operational benefits and ultimately cost savings across markets.  

2. Data-Driven Adaptation: Advanced modeling and AI enable clients to anticipate resiliency risks and respond with precision. Resiliency considerations are now central to environmental impact assessments, with our specialists using local knowledge and technical depth to improve accuracy. We’re moving beyond simply identifying flood-prone areas to quantifying natural capital gains from action—or losses from inaction. 

3. Boardroom Environmental Planning: Once focused on the development level, environmental planning is now a core element of sustainability strategies. Companies increasingly recognize that addressing biodiversity loss and ensuring a just transition are essential to responsible growth. 

Jacobs leads in these areas by combining innovation and technical know-how to help clients respond to challenges and create lasting impact. 

Is there a project you’re particularly proud of? 

While many projects make me proud, it’s our work ethic that inspires me the most. We emphasize long-term partnerships—whether supporting U.S. federal agencies for decades with environmental approvals or helping transportation and water clients deliver critical infrastructure. Our teams’ deep knowledge in regulatory processes and specific infrastructure types means we skip the learning curve and focus on exceeding client expectations with innovative solutions. 

From a personal perspective and as a long-term resident within the Middle East, I’ve had the privilege of working on several transformational city- and regional-scale strategic spatial plans in this rapidly evolving region. One project in the United Arab Emirates prioritized livability, safeguarded conservation areas and increased access to public spaces, housing and sustainable mobility. It also involved extensive stakeholder engagement and multidisciplinary collaboration.  

By working closely with transport, urban and landscape planners, we delivered integrated solutions that balance urban growth priorities with sustainable development objectives. Jacobs fosters this kind of collaboration to create lasting positive change for the communities we serve — essential to achieving truly transformative outcomes. 

Looking to the future, what environmental planning opportunities excite you? 

The future of environmental planning holds immense potential for transformative change. I’m particularly excited about three key areas: 

1. Quantifying Environmental and Social Value: Tools such as natural capital assessments and biodiversity net gain frameworks allow us to measure and communicate the tangible benefits of sustainable investments. Paired with our landscape proficiency, we’re driving master plans and designs that maximize functionality, accessibility and beauty. 

2. The Evolution of Corporate Sustainability: As commitments expand topics covered by environmental planners while also maturing into core regulatory requirements our environmental and social practitioners will play a critical role in translating these aspirations into robust and defendable action. We’re excited to be delivering solutions that align business goals with global sustainability objectives. 

3. Digital Innovation: AI and digital tools are revolutionizing how we plan, engage and execute projects. By leveraging these advances we are increasing efficiency, reducing risk and maximizing positive impact to stakeholders.  

This is an exciting time at the intersection of technology, environmental planning and global impact, and I’m proud to be part of Jacobs as we lead the way.