Sustainability Conference | 10 June 2024
Climate change is no longer a concept. It is a reality that is apparent across the world. Global news is filled with reports of record temperatures, flooding and extreme weather events. Since June 2023, record high world temperatures have been recorded for nine months in a row. Our window of opportunity to take effective action is shrinking as we witness changes the world has never seen before.
Many organizations have started to rapidly address their direct emissions, but not enough has been done to reduce indirect emissions, including the emissions arising from suppliers and consumers. With global supply chains accounting for as much as 80% of the world’s total carbon emissions, it is vital for business to step up the pace in reducing indirect emissions.
Now, more than ever, businesses need to collaborate and help their supply chain partners to implement net-zero strategies and consider sustainability of their operations and core business practices. It is only through co-operation that business can help to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
This conference brings together prominent global thought leaders from business, government and industry institutions to share global best practice and discuss how business can meet the challenge of delivering sustainable supply chains and incorporating sustainability into their operations.
Discussions will shape ICC United Kingdom policy agenda and the business input into key policy forums at the UN, WTO and G20.
Registration
Welcome and Introduction – Chris Southworth, Secretary General, ICC United Kingdom and Vivek Ramachandran, General Manager, Head of Global Trade & Receivables Finance, HSBC
Keynote Address
ICC Update
Drivers for change
ICC action
Role of global institutions and business industry
Fireside Chat – What’s the geopolitical landscape in 2024?
Interviewer: Gabrielle Giner, Head of Environment, BT Group
Panel Discussion – The Future of Sustainability Disclosures and the Regulatory Environment for Businesses
As we navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, it’s essential to look at how businesses can meet evolving sustainability standards while adhering to regulatory requirements.
Our panelists will explore emerging trends in sustainability reporting, the impact of regulatory frameworks on corporate behaviour, and the role of transparency in driving positive environmental and social outcomes. This session focuses on envisioning a future where businesses embrace sustainability as a core principle and work collaboratively with regulators to foster accountability, transparency, and lasting change.
Speakers:
Ira Poensgen, Interim Team Leader, Transition Plan Taskforce and Deputy Policy Lead, Oxford Sustainable Finance Group
Jessica Bingham, Regional Lead Policy and Insights – EEMA and UK, ACCA Global
Networking break
Panel Discussion – Stepping up efforts on supply chain decarbonisation
As industries worldwide strive towards net zero, understanding the intricacies of supply chain decarbonisation and the Scope 3 piece is paramount.
In this session our panellists will share the latest insights in decarbonizing supply chains and the hurdles that lie ahead. Our panellists will highlight innovative strategies, emerging technologies, and collaborative approaches aimed at reducing carbon footprints throughout the supply chain. From sourcing raw materials to carbon capture technology, we’ll explore the challenges, opportunities, and best practices shaping the future of sustainable business operations.
Moderator:
Dexter Galvin, CCO, CDP
Speakers:
Jonathan Dunn, Head of Climate, Anglo American
Matteo Deidda, Senior Sustainability Manager, Lloyds Banking Group
Rosella Nicolin, Head of Sustainability – Europe, Laing O’Rourke
Panel Discussion – Achieving end to end sustainable financing
The energy transition requires trillions of dollars of investment. Sustainable finance therefore has a key role to play in helping business achieve net zero. Financial institutions across the spectrum including trade and export finance need to work together with business to ensure a sustainable future.
In this session, speakers will discuss how financial institutions can collaborate effectively with businesses throughout the supply chain from large corporates to SMEs to fund the changes and innovation needed to reduce emissions.
Moderator:
Swaroop Nadhavajhala, Global Product Head – Sustainability, Innovation, Asset Distribution & FIs, Trade & Receivables Finance, HSBC
Speakers:
Heather Buchanan, Co-Founder, Bankers for Net Zero
James Binns, Managing Director, Trade and Working Capital, Barclays
Shona Tatchell, Director of the Trade Facilitation Programme, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Asset Manager
Lunch
Business’ Role in Supporting the Just Transition
In the endeavour to meet the challenge of net-zero, business needs to be mindful of ensuring the whole of society – all communities, workers, social groups – are considered. It is imperative that the transition is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating work opportunities and leaving no one behind. This session will explore how business can improve their carbon footprint whilst offsetting the potential detrimental effects to societies in which they operate.
Speakers:
Steve Kenzie, Executive Director, UN Global Compact
Peter Nestor, Global Head of Human Rights, Novartis
Presentations – Innovation Showcase – The Role of Technology
Technology has a huge role to play in helping business meet the challenge of reducing emissions across their supply chain through improving transparency and enabling effective end to end tracking of raw materials and goods.
In this session, three experts will share case study examples of best practice and explore how technology, for example the use of AI, can help to improve the sustainability of global supply chains.
Networking break
Panel Discussion – The Biodiversity Business Case
Biodiversity is under threat. The continued loss of biodiversity and the impact from climate change represent a major risk to society, economic growth and sustainable livelihoods – transformative and collective action is urgently needed, actions that not only halt the decline in biodiversity but also strive to be nature positive.
According to the World Economic Forum, more than 50% of global GDP is highly or moderately dependent on ecosystem services. We cannot derive fundamentals for life as we know it – fresh food, water and medicine – without rich and flourishing biodiversity. Despite being fundamental drivers of change, businesses’ commitment to biodiversity conversation is low. We must collectively progress action towards a nature positive future.
In this session, our speakers will consider the following:
- Implementing the business case for biodiversity
- How to incorporate biodiversity into business decision making and existing sustainability plans – looking at the practical steps and implications
- How we progress collective action to halt and reverse our impact on nature
Speakers:
Edward Pollard, Director, UKBBF
Hollie Booth, Department of Biodiversity, Oxford University
Panel Discussion – Adopting a cohesive view of sustainability challenges and initiatives
With the variety of different strands of sustainability and plethora of reporting responsibilities, it’s sometimes hard to take a holistic view of what action needs to be taken. In this session, our interviewees will discuss how business can join the dots between reducing emissions, improving circularity, protecting biodiversity and supporting communities in a way that is not only effective but also commercially viable.
Moderator:
Tom Smith, Director, Global Government Affairs, Walmart and Vice Chair, Global Environment & Energy Commission
Speakers:
Bobbie Mellor, Group Head of ESG, Vodafone
Eric Bayle, Ocean Steward, Plastic Bank
Interview – Preparing for COP
In the aftermath of the pivotal global stocktake at COP28 which urged more action on all fronts to meet the Paris Agreement’s long-term goals, business needs to prepare for COP29 to ensure a cohesive voice. This session will explore the key issues for business at the forthcoming forum.
Summary
Networking drinks
Sponsors
