Conference programme

This panel will introduce the conference, with a high-level overview of the state of environmental, social and governance (ESG) in key jurisdictions around the world.  Panellists will share their perspectives on recent developments and their predictions for coming changes in the ESG landscape in each of their jurisdictions.

This short discussion will cover the political forces supporting and objecting to wider integration of ESG in business, with a particular focus on recent developments in the United States.

The role of ESG in investment management has been under scrutiny. How do investment managers factor ESG criteria into decision-making? Does ESG lead to better investment outcomes? Is there a correlation between ESG principles and financial performance? How has ESG impacted the investment management approach for different kinds of investors? This panel will look at investment management from the perspective of investment funds, financial institutions, rating agencies and invested companies to discuss the evolution of ESG as it relates to investment management as well as expectations for the future.

Please join us back in the conference room from 1320 when our lunch speakers will commence.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), as part of the ‘S’ in ESG, are thought to be a key part of successfully managing a diverse workforce; but the political forces countering ESG are focusing on DEI programmes and are seeking their elimination.  This panel of seasoned professionals will explore the history of DEI programmes, the business case for DEI and expectations for the future, as well as best practices for lawyers advising on DEI-related issues.

How do we know what’s really going on? With so much of ESG’s focus leaning to accurate disclosure of metrics and activities, and with so many jurisdictions moving toward mandatory operational and supply-chain frameworks, due diligence of ESG claims and performance in connection with transactions – as well as day-to-day management of businesses – is becoming increasingly important. This panel will present new legislative and financing trends, as well as practical insights on how to plan and carryout a due diligence review from an ESG perspective, the associated risks and key issues lawyers must understand.

Using the fashion industry as a case study, this panel will discuss the practical application of ESG principles in business and its impact on supply chains, including with respect to human rights, trade, environmental matters and governance issues.  Lawyers advising in any industry will benefit from this discussion led by industry leaders who must navigate ever changing ESG requirements.

A panel of chief sustainability officers from companies, across several industries will share what is keeping them busy, recent and pending developments that have their attention (and why), as well as how they organise and manage their departments and what they wish their outside counsel did better. Advisors on ESG should pay keen attention.

The recent rise of ESG regulations, alongside increased polarisation, has created new challenges and concerns for businesses. These include navigating an array of ‘pro-ESG’ and ‘anti-ESG’ laws, managing congressional and state Attorney General (AG) investigations into ESG commitments and responding to shareholders, activist groups and other stakeholders. General counsels (GCs) are called on to advise their organisations on these complex legal and regulatory issues, often compounded by fraught political dynamics. How do GCs prioritize ESG matters relative to other competing demands in their legal portfolios? What ESG topics currently most grab their attention or keep them up at night? How do GCs organise and direct their legal departments to address ESG? What are GCs’ expectations of external counsel regarding ESG and how can external counsel do better in this area?