Conference programme

Amid a rapidly evolving ESG landscape, regions around the world are navigating shifting standards, regulatory frameworks and market pressures. Panellists will examine how recent global trends, such as the rise of mandatory climate disclosures, supply chain due diligence laws and growing anti-ESG sentiment in certain markets are shaping policy approaches and creating both alignment and friction across jurisdictions. The discussion will provide insights into regional challenges, from divergent regulatory philosophies to enforcement gaps, while assessing the influence of major regulatory blocs and emerging markets on the future of global ESG standards.

The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is reshaping ESG disclosure requirements, expanding reporting obligations for companies within and beyond the EU. This keynote will examine the directive’s scope, key requirements, and its interaction with existing ESG regulations. As the CSRD raises the bar for corporate transparency, it is influencing global reporting standards and compliance strategies. This session will explore the directive’s legal and regulatory impact, highlighting its role in the evolving ESG landscape.

As ESG regulations across Europe continue to evolve, businesses are being compelled to adapt to new expectations that go beyond compliance. This session takes a step back to examine the bigger picture—unpacking the macro trends driving the transformation of client behaviour in response to regulatory shifts in Europe. Delving into the dynamics of the European regulatory landscape, including its interplay with developments in the US and globally, this session will highlight how these changes influence not only operational practices but also how companies view risk, value creation, and stakeholder engagement.

The proliferation of ESG regulations emanating from Europe, such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), sustainable finance and country-specific rules, has created a complex compliance landscape for multinational corporations and their subsidiaries. These regulations mandate rigorous due diligence, risk mitigation and remediation of human rights and environmental impacts, coupled with extensive disclosure. The application of these Global North-centric standards to Global South contexts presents significant challenges for corporate counsel on both sides of the equator, resulting in data, technology, regulatory and cultural disconnects and misapplications. This panel of in-house and external corporate counsel will explore those challenges through real life examples and suggest practical strategies for bridging this divide. We will discuss innovative approaches to adapt compliance frameworks, enhance capacity building and leverage technology to streamline ESG compliance. The goal is to identify solutions that not only ensure compliance but also create shared value, fostering a more equitable and sustainable global business environment.

From critical minerals to cyber risk, ESG considerations are no longer just about compliance; they are central to national security. This address will examine how legal and regulatory trends in North America and the EU are driving corporate obligations and reshaping international business, with implications for risk management and competitive advantage.

The ESG landscape in North America is evolving rapidly as political transitions in Mexico and the United States, along with upcoming elections in Canada, reshape priorities and regulatory frameworks across the region. This panel will explore how these changes are influencing ESG policies, disclosure requirements, and corporate strategies.

Key topics include the SEC's finalised climate disclosure rules and their impact on businesses and the new administration’s approach to ESG-related matters, Mexico's progress on sustainable financing taxonomy and reporting regulations and Canada's continued leadership in ESG reporting, diversity and indigenous inclusion. Panellists will also examine how North America’s regulatory approaches align-with or diverge—from global ESG standards, and the implications for cross-border operations.

Join industry leaders and legal experts to analyse the future of ESG regulation and its impact on businesses navigating this dynamic environment.

Lawyers play a crucial role as advisors to clients, providing context for legal advice that extends beyond traditional boundaries. The UNGP’s and CSDDD are two examples of standards (one soft, one hard law) whereby companies are obligated to understand, monitor and mitigate their adverse human rights and environmental impacts. With the advent of artificial intelligence, new challenges and opportunities arise, implicating lawyers' ethical obligations. AI presents a double-edged sword in the realm of environmental protection and human rights. For example, AI-powered satellite imagery analysis has improved the detection of deforestation in the Amazon, allowing authorities to respond more swiftly to illegal logging activities. At the same time, facial recognition software and zero-click forms of spyware represent a threat to the ongoing activities of environmental defenders. Not to mention the computing power required to build and run AI systems demands significant energy and water resources, potentially exacerbating environmental stress in already vulnerable areas.

As advisors, lawyers must navigate these complex intersections, balancing the potential benefits of AI with its risks to human rights and the environment. They must consider not only the legal implications but also the broader ethical and societal impacts of AI implementation in their clients' operations. This expanded role requires lawyers to be well-versed in both the technological aspects of AI and its ethical implications potential for human rights and environmental sustainability.

As sustainability commitments become standard across the fashion and luxury industry, brands must grapple with the competing demands of rapid production cycles, luxury craftsmanship and the rise of DTC drop-shipping. How can legal teams help fashion and luxury companies align ambitious ESG goals with business realities? This panel will explore evolving EU regulations, supply chain due diligence and greenwashing risks while addressing the legal complexities of balancing sustainability with consumer-driven speed and exclusivity.

As the global push for net-zero accelerates, in-house counsel must balance ambitious ESG commitments with legal and operational challenges. This panel will examine the energy transition through the lens of infrastructure and natural resources, focusing on the role of legal teams in achieving sustainable energy goals. Key topics include navigating divergent regulatory frameworks, addressing environmental justice and biodiversity concerns and managing the risks of greenwashing. Panellists will also explore whether the Brussels Effect is driving harmonization or divergence in energy transition policies across jurisdictions.

Cut through the diplomatic spin and get an unfiltered look at the negotiations, compromises and legal implications for businesses and policymakers from COP29. This session will uncover what was achieved, what fell short and how ESG lawyers should prepare for the regulatory and corporate shifts ahead.

Are ESG funds, bonds and financing truly outperforming non-ESG instruments? How is this being measured and proven? What is the 'impact appetite' between Europe and other regions?