Responsible business 2021

Exploring the evolving role of the private sector in a radically changing world and the ways in which governments and organizations are navigating the new normal. 

• What lessons can be learnt from different sector and government responses to the pandemic? Is there a  ‘right’ approach as we move forward?  

• Where should we prioritize investment to drive a global green recovery? 

• As leaders pivot from a focus on urgent organisational priorities during 2020 to thinking about longer-term rebuilding and resilience, where are the opportunities for creating stronger links between individual and organizational purpose?

• How are leading organizations thinking about stakeholder capitalism and what practical steps can contribute to more inclusive, diverse and equitable societies?

• How can businesses be incentivized to lead and innovate with or without regulatory pressures? 

Exploring the top ESG and climate trends that will shape the investment market in 2021.

This spotlight will focus on the evolving mandate of the US SEC through the lens of climate and other ESG risks and opportunities, the role of international cooperation in driving action and the need for increased transparency and disclosure. 

A focus on key topics impacting supply chain structures and innovative approaches to mitigating future risk and fragility.

• Where have vulnerabilities been revealed due to the COVID-19 pandemic? 

• What approaches have emerged to mitigate future risk while protecting the workforce, capacity and operations? 

• How do we continue to prioritize human rights and environmental due diligence throughout value and supply chains in the face of a crisis and is current legislation sufficient? 

• How can technologies improve transparency and resiliency and help minimize disruption?

This session will focus on Vice-President Mourinho’s mandate, while expanding on how the European Investment Bank is financing inclusive and sustainable growth and what lies ahead for the green transition and the implementation of the European Green Deal.

Exploring the action required to accelerate a global green recovery including ways to scale up commitment and impact and good practice in corporate leadership.

• How can we foster greater collaboration between policy, business, the investment community and governments to drive collective action for meeting climate goals?

• Are recovery stimulus packages delivering the intended results? 

• How do we move beyond climate to incorporate biodiversity and environmental targets?

• To what extent can business leadership be further mobilized and broadened beyond the ‘converted’ few and where are we seeing successful examples of leadership underpinned by climate and environmental considerations? 

Exploring how business can be a force for societal transformation and why engagement on such issues must be timely and contextually-sensitive. 

• How are organizations stepping up to defend the rule of law and the right of civil society to speak up and organize and what is the role of policy in facilitating this?

• What lessons can be learned from examples of effective corporate activism?

• What responsible business issues accompany the transition to a digital-first society? 

• What forums exist for developing tactical alliances between organizations and civil society actors?