Lessons are already emerging that should inform how coalitions, nations, citizens, and companies can navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical stage. Those lessons tie directly back to the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors already shaping our world.
As the invasion of Ukraine has taken the world's attenton, there remain many pockets of geopolitical tension (e.g., East Africa, Syria, South China Sea) where a similar escalation could breed conflict. And political tensions may be heavily influenced by climatological risk factors, as well, where disagreements shift from historical contexts to battles over scarcities of resources, food, and water.
As we have witnessed over the last few weeks, in a social media-driven marketplace, activist investors, shareholders, and customers can mobilize boycotts quickly and publicly. How should companies proactively communicate steps they are taking in their reporting and governance? How will Milennialls and Gen Z want to shape their futures when the future is so uncertain?
Will the world reconsider what is ethical over what is required to survive? Can natural gas now be included in ESG funds with the EU plan to include it as 'green' given Europe's dependency on Russian gas? Many weapon manufacturers are now touting 'socially responsible' military stocks and these latest ‘greenwashing' developments in the ESG space are unsurprising, under todays circumstances. Are weapon manufacturers and defence companies "defending the values of liberal democracies and creating a deterrent, which preserves peace and global stability", or is this pure greenwashing?
Opening the event with two Keynote talks, each uniquely setting the stage under a different lens will be Eleanor Winton, CO and Founder of Foresightfully, a strategy, innovation and disruption consultancy, working closely with businesses facing the 'new normal', with expertise in trend analysis, innovation, foresight methodologies and facilitation, and Anjuli Pandit, Head of Sustainable Bonds for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas at HSBC.
Six Experts joining the event Moderator and Host, Sheena McGuinness, Head of Renewables and Cleantech, Tax Partner at RSM UK are:
Sabrina Fox, CEO, European Leveraged Finance Association
Rebecca Self, Senior Advisor - Sustainable Finance, South Pole
Dalia Majumder-Russell, Partner in the Energy & Climate Change Team, CMS UK
Annabel Gillard, Strategy and Engagement, Creating Future Us (CFU) and International Advisory Council Member at Institute of Business Ethics
Jocelyn Tasker, Product Development, Risk and Regulatory Consultant, Octopus Electric Vehicles Special Projects
Henrietta Worthington, Solicitor (Specialising in Services Corporate & Governance, Finance & Transactions, Finance & Secured Lending, International Trade & Compliance), Vedder Price & Company Secretary, Travalyst
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