International Trade & Prosperity Week - Delivering Sustainable Global Value Chains | 7-9 November 2023

Registrations are now open for International Trade and Prosperity Week (ITPW) – Delivering Sustainable Global Value Chains, taking place on 7 - 9 November 2023.

Day 1 - In-person at Diageo, 16 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1F 7HS
Days 2 & 3 - Virtual only

This three day conference focuses on scope 3 emissions (all indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of the reporting company, including both upstream and downstream emissions) and brings together prominent global thought leaders from business, government and industry institutions to look at how they can help advance an organisations decarbonisation and sustainability journey.

By focusing on practical global case studies and initiatives, we will share international best practice with the aim of providing a set of practical policy takeaways that will be promoted widely and fed into our policy forums at the UN, WTO and G20.

Why attend an ICC United Kingdom conference?

ICC is the official Focal Point for Business to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and played a key role in advocating for the delivery of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and in shaping the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, the ICC United Kingdom will be attending COP28 by hosting a UK delegation alongside the ICC pavilion. Therefore you know that by attending an ICC United Kingdom conference your input and engagement will influence global policy frameworks and standards at the highest levels.

By attending ITPW, companies will:

• Share thought leadership, listen to case studies and engage with key government representatives and major institutions
• Help build consensus among private sector entities to drive progress toward full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement
• Learn practical tools and pilot programs which support business
• Gain an understanding of the international standards and frameworks that shape the business environment
• Hear about the latest technologies which underpin transparency in supply chains

What previous attendees have said...

It’s important to join up the global policy discussion on climate and biodiversity - the trick is to find the messages that bridge these conversations for both people and businesses, while the real hard technical work is still being done in the background. This is why I choose to attend COP and ICC conferences instead of others because meaningful influential policy work is being done behind the scenes.

Rebekah Braswell, CEO, Land Life Company

‘Congratulations on another successful ITPW! The sessions have been very insightful and meaningful. Thank you very much for giving us an opportunity to share our views during this remarkable and reputable event. We greatly appreciate the support from ICC and look forward to continuing collaborating with you in the future’

Japan Tobacco International

DAY 1 - Tuesday 7th November

In-person - Diageo head office, 16 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1F 7HS

UK timings

8.30am | REGISTRATION
Registration & networking breakfast

9.00am | Welcome by Chris Southworth,  ICC United Kingdom, Secretary General

9.05am – 9.30am | Setting the Scene – getting down to business

The impact of climate change has never been so apparent with global temperatures soaring and extreme weather events becoming commonplace in certain areas of the world. Our window of opportunity for change is now only a few years rather than a few decades. As the world’s largest business organisation, the ICC is galvanising global business to act now and make pivotal changes that can address the devastating effects of climate change.

This session will explore the current global state of play, the net zero ambition and what drivers are needed to achieve meaningful change.

Speakers:

• Stuart Bruce, Director, Climate Risk & Strategy, KPMG, UK Chair of the Energy & Environment Committee

9.30am – 10.30am | Corporate perspective – an in-depth conversation on scope 3 emissions

For many businesses, Scope 3 emissions cover the majority of their carbon footprint. Reducing emissions that you are indirectly responsible for, up-and-down your global value chain is imperative to meeting climate change targets but this can seem like an insurmountable task.

In this session, speakers will share experience of how they have approached the decarbonisation of their global value chain and will give practical advice on how to meet the challenge.

• What are the opportunities, challenges and key issues associated with delivering sustainable global value chains?
• How are companies overcoming the biggest challenges and how can we learn from mistakes that have been made?
• How can we engage better with suppliers and achieve visibility across our global value chains?
• How can businesses collaborate effectively in the context of antitrust and competition?
• What are the key considerations for corporates in building a successful business case for change?
• How can frameworks such as TNFD and TCFD help business?

Speakers:

• Kate Gibson, Global Head of Spirit of Progress (ESG), Diageo
• Joanna Gilroy, Group Sustainability Director, Balfour Beatty
• Anj Chadha, CEO, ESG360
• Claire Toomey, Sustainability & ESG Manager, Howdens Joinery Group

10.30am – 11.00am | Global Reporting Frameworks

There are over 600 different sustainability reporting standards, frameworks and guidelines around the world which can make sustainability reporting a complex and confusing process. Using a scope 3 emissions lens, this session will explore the latest best practice in reporting in terms of transparency and disclosure. 

With this years’ launch of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) inaugural standards and the forthcoming release of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) v0.4 Beta framework, our panel will discuss the likely impacts to their organisations and wider global value chains.

Speakers:

• Owen Bethell, Environmental Impact Lead Global Public Affairs, Nestlé and Co-Chair, Biodiversity Working Group, ICC
• Lusine Manucharyan, Senior Consultant, Climate Change and Sustainability Development, ZCMC and Chair, Environment & Energy Commission, ICC Armenia
• Kaya Axelsson, Head of Policy and Partnerships, Oxford Net Zero

11.00am – 11.20am | Networking break

11.20am – 12.05pm | Sustainable Trade Finance

Sustainable trade finance is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, advancing broad-based and inclusive development, and helping to mitigate climate change.

The ICC has developed a framework of standards for international trade and trade finance to take a vital step in accelerating the journey to a more sustainable business world. The framework defines what constitutes a sustainable trade finance transaction – filling a major gap in existing practice within the financial sector. Two pilots have been launched, one for banks and corporates and one for technology partners, with the aim to test the framework by using data in a real-world setting. Over 20 banks, corporates and fintechs have agreed to the pilot. Wave 2 of the framework will be launched at COP28 covering key economic sectors (agriculture, energy, mining/minerals/metals, automotive, textiles).

Our trade finance experts will discuss the framework and will share the latest findings from the pilots.

Moderator:

• Rebecca Harding, Independent Economist, Speaker, Consultant and Entrepreneur

Speakers:

• Sanjay Sadarangani, Head of Sustainability Propositions, Global Trade and Receivables Finance, HSBC
• Mark Ling, Head of Trade & Working Capital, Santander

12.05pm – 12.50pm | Carbon Pricing

In 2022 an ICC Working Group developed a report launched at COP27, which provided a roadmap for policymakers looking to implement or improve carbon pricing mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions. It presented five case studies on existing systems (Canada, the European Union, Indonesia, New Zealand and South Africa), and assessed them against the ICC Carbon Pricing Principles developed last year. The report then outlined critical design features for carbon pricing mechanisms drawing from the analysis of the case studies.

In 2023, the working group will further develop its guidance for policymakers to enhance the effectiveness of carbon pricing systems – with a particular focus on linkage and leakage.

Speakers in this session will consider the impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act, the EU’s likely response and the EU’s carbon border tax on international trade.

• Will the US Inflation Reduction Act inadvertently create a subsidy race?
• What is the likely outcome and what needs to be done to ultimately coordinate climate policies and carbon pricing?
• What is the role of the OECD, IMF, UN, World Bank, and WTO and how can these organisations work together to promote a global carbon price?

Moderator:

• Anna Theeuwes, Co-Chair of the ICC Taskforce on Carbon Pricing Mechanisms

Speakers:

• David Murray, Head of Tax Policy & Sustainability, Anglo American
• Malek Al Chalabi, Senior Carbon Pricing Policy and Advocacy Advisor, Shell

12.50pm – 2.00pm | Networking lunch

2.00pm – 2.45pm | Mobilising finance for biodiversity

Biodiversity is under threat, and 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. Despite being highly vulnerable to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, businesses’ commitment to biodiversity conservation has remained to be fairly low.

By taking a closer look at the fundamental role of mobilising finance and how this will help meet the goals set out in the COP15 agreement, this session will discuss what businesses can do to help, and what the expectations are on governments around the world.

It will give attendees insight into biodiversity credits and how efforts to mobilise global nature finance in support of the COP15 Biodiversity Framework have been stepped up with the launch of a new biodiversity credits initiative. This new UK-French Global Biodiversity Credits Roadmap sets out a plan for scaling up global efforts to support companies buying credits that contribute to the recovery of nature in a credible way and will work towards key international milestones, such as the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16), where financing for biodiversity will be high on the agenda.

Moderator:

• Mark Johnston, Strategy Lead for Nature-based Solutions, BP and Chair of UK Business and Biodiversity Forum

Speakers:

• Will Lockhart, Deputy Director, Joint Head of International Environment Negotiations at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Helen Avery, Director, Nature Programmes and GFI Hive, Green Finance Institute
• Abigail Herron, Global Head of ESG Strategic Partnerships, Sustainable Finance Centre for Excellence, Aviva

2.45pm – 3.30pm | Digital Trade – The path to transparency and increased traceability

The current trading system suffers from antiquated laws and a lack of standardisation. As a result, systems are fragmented, and processes are unnecessarily paper-heavy, inefficient and costly.

A typical trade transaction can take up to 2-3 months to complete and involve up to 27 paper documents. Four billion paper documents float through the trading system at any given time, and only 1% of bills of lading are currently handled in digital form.

Digitalisation is fundamental to making trade more sustainable because it not only removes paper-heavy processes but it also enables companies to gather accurate, real-time data on the movement of goods, services and finance across borders. As a result, companies, government and consumers can all make better-informed decisions and choices. With more jurisdictions either passing or considering Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records, with networks of Digital Economy Agreements being concluded and with standards and technology enabling more digitalisation, the way is now clear for the greater adoption of digital trade and trade finance processes. This creates not just the scope for immediate efficiencies and cost savings, but also an opportunity for more transparent, accountable and sustainable supply chains.

Speakers in this session will discuss how the digitalisation of trade data could integrate with sustainability data providing companies with more meaningful insight into how their complex global value chains impact climate change and the environment.

Moderator:

• Nick Davies, Director, Centre for Digital trade & Innovation (C4DTI)

3.30pm – 3.50pm | Networking break

3.50pm – 4.35pm | Competition Law as a Barrier to Climate Action

Given the scale and the urgency of the fight against climate change, businesses need to work together, sometimes with competitors, to improve the sustainability of goods and services. This may be necessary to achieve the necessary scale to be economically viable or to make any real difference. It may also be necessary to overcome the first mover disadvantage. Unfortunately, as many as 60% of businesses hesitate to collaborate for fear of competition law.

This session will provide delegates with insight into the fear that competition law is hindering corporate environmental sustainability objectives and what concrete actions can be taken.

Our leading panel of experts will discuss the following:

• What is the current state of play?
• What nations are leading the way and how can others learn from them?
• What is the ICC doing to help?
• What are the recent real-life practical examples of the problem manifesting itself?
• What do both policy makers and businesses need to do to overcome the issues?
• Could competition authorities be doing more to provide more practical help to businesses?
• What is the US problem for International business and where might this be going?
• How do we move collectively and globally?

Moderator:

• Simon Holmes, Visiting Professor in law, Oxford University. Member, UK Competition Appeal Tribunal, Co-chair, ICC Sustainability and Competition Taskforce and Legal Advisor, Clientearth

Speakers:

• Denise Hearn, Writer, Applied Researcher, and Advisor, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law in New York

4.35pm – 5.20pm | Circular Economy

The global economy has largely relied on a growth model based on the extraction, transformation, and disposal of natural resources and related materials with significant environmental consequences in the form of soil and water pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. Continuous use of resource materials in industrialised countries and a rapidly growing demand in emerging economies have further exacerbated this trend, with the weight of materials consumed worldwide more than doubling in the last 40 years.

It is estimated that extraction and processing of natural resources is responsible for 90% of biodiversity loss. The OECD projects that by 2060, global materials use will almost double and GHG emissions will grow by 80%. These challenges have prompted governments to look for solutions that enhance resource efficiency and decouple economic growth from material inputs. In this context, the transition to a more circular economy is often seen as a response to the triple challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable patterns of natural resource exploitation.

The transition from a linear and extractive model to a more circular approach that promotes resource efficiency implies a significant change in business models. This session will focus on how circular thinking drives sustainability and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for business.

Moderator:

• George Riddell, Trade Strategy Director, EY

Speakers:

• Sebastian Munden, Chair, WRAP
• Mohamed Althaf, Director, Lulu Group International

5.20pm - 5.30pm | Closing remarks

5.30pm – 7.30pm | Networking drinks reception

DAY 2 - Wednesday 8th November

Virtual only

UK timings

10am – 11am | Model Contract Clauses

Integrating sustainability aligned clauses within contracts can be a powerful tool in the decarbonisation of GVCs. Using contracts to address an organisation’s climate impact and risk means that climate becomes a key consideration in the actions parties take. Furthermore, contracts have two major advantages over other climate interventions. Firstly, they can be tailored to an organisation’s own net zero journey and secondly, they can be amended today to make immediate changes.

Leading pro-bono initiative, the Chancery Lane Project, is dedicated to creating and providing free, accessible contractual clauses to help organisations address their climate risks and impacts, and to achieve their net zero ambitions. Over 100 climate clauses are available which oblige parties to set greenhouse gas (GHG) targets, monitor and reduce their GHG emissions, undertake projects that use renewable power and avoid developments that will reduce the impact of natural carbon sinks.

This session, led by The Chancery Lane Project, will discuss how businesses can effectively utilise model contract clauses to meet their sustainable goals. Speakers will share their experiences of adopting model contract clauses within their GVCs and will give practical advice on how to embed this practice effectively.

Moderator:

• Becky Annison, The Chancery Lane Project
  

Speakers:

• Colin Telford, Senior Legal Counsel, Natwest
• Emily O’Connor, Director, Trade and Investment, ICC
• Gabrielle Giner, Head of Environmental Sustainability, BT
• Ryan Hart, Senior Corporate Counsel, Salesforce

3pm – 4pm | Plastic Pollutions

Every year, over 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced worldwide, one third of which is used just once. Every day, the equivalent of over 2000 garbage trucks full of plastic is dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes. Plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change, directly affecting millions of people’s livelihoods, food production capabilities and social well-being.

The ICC welcomes the resolution to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) to end plastic pollution by 2024 and recognises the essential role that business plays in the process. This draws on the urgent and ambitious action required by all stakeholders to address rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution globally and focus on the entire plastics value chain.

In this session, speakers will discuss how business can redesign their products and processes to use less plastic and how they can increase reuse and recyclability of plastic within their GVCs.

Speakers:

• Llorenç Milà i Canals, Head of the Secretariat - Life Cycle Initiative, Industry and Economy Division, UN Environment Programme
• Stephen Altmann-Richer, Global Head of Public Affairs & Regulatory Strategy, Polymateria

DAY 3 - Thursday 9th November

Virtual only

UK timings

10am – 11am | Green Claims and Consumer Trust

Recent years have seen a proliferation of environmental marketing claims, many of which are vague, non-specific or general in nature. Consumers can be misled, and companies can give a false impression of their environmental impacts or benefits. Greenwashing has affected consumer trust and it is now vital that businesses act to ensure their claims are credible and trustworthy.

The ICC’s well-established Marketing Code promotes self-regulation and peer to peer cooperation as the key to credible and trustworthy marketing. Using this highly regarded code as a springboard, the ICC has formulated the Framework for Environmental Marketing Communications. This valuable framework provides added guidance in response to the growing complexity of environmental or “green” marketing claims, including general claims of “sustainability” as well new emerging climate-related, circularity, recyclable content, degradability and additional “free-of” claims. The Environmental Claims Checklist of the Framework is an additional resource to assist marketers in identifying when they are making an environmental claim and offers guidance on questions about such claims.

In this session, speakers will discuss how to avoid greenwashing using tools such as the Framework for Environmental Marketing Communications. Speakers will also explore the potential impact of the EU’s proposed law on green claims that aims to address greenwashing to protect consumers and the environment.

Moderator:

• Georgiana Degeratu, Policy Manager, Global ICC Marketing & Advertising Commission

Speakers:

• Lucas Boudet, Director General of the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA)

12pm – 1pm | Human Rights & Climate Change

Climate change is one the gravest threats to human rights the world has encountered. The fundamental rights to life, health, food and an adequate standard of living are already being impacted by the effect that climate change is having on temperature, hydrologic conditions, ecosystem functioning and agricultural productivity. Although this is widely acknowledged, there is some debate as to the obligations of governments and business to address this problem.

The United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on business and Human Rights is a blueprint for what governments and companies need to do to put in place appropriate policies to respect human rights. ICC plays a pivotal role in promoting business implementation of the UN Guiding Principles and many member companies have already taken action to put in place access to remedy through company grievance mechanisms.

This session looks at the roles and responsibilities of business and policy makers in terms of human rights obligations. Speakers will discuss the link between climate change and human rights, the need for greater ambition regarding mitigation and the mechanisms that can be used to protect human rights.

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