Reuters Events Sustainable Business

Sustainability insight in the boardroom has transitioned from a "nice to have" to a "must have”, but even so boards are grappling with a growing green skills gap leaving them without critical expertise. Helle Bank Jorgensen, CEO of Competent Boards outlines three steps boards can take to ensure they have the right mix of skills so they are not only compliant with regulatory requirements but also aligned with the values of tomorrow’s stakeholders. Helle Bank Jørgensen, GCB.D, CCB.D and NACD.DC, Copenhagen Business School, Deloitte. #greenskills #boards #esginvestors #esgregulation #sustainabilityprofessionals #CSOs Terry Slavin Liam Dowd https://lnkd.in/dx6bT7ey

Despite growing investor momentum on climate, global emissions aren't dropping fast enough to meet targets, writes The Very Rev Kirsten Snow Spalding, vice president of the Ceres investor network. During #ClimateWeekNYC, leaders like New York State Comptroller #TomDiNapoli stressed that private action alone isn't enough, government support is critical and as the world gears up for #COP29, policy certainty, mandatory climate disclosure and robust climate transition plans are key to unlocking the necessary investment for a sustainable future. #CleanEnergy #NetZero #ClimateAction #SustainableInvesting #PublicPolicy Terry Slavin Liam Dowd https://lnkd.in/dXeVBQ6a

With steel alone accounting for 10% of global energy-based GHG emissions, the race for a greener product is urgent. Writing in an oped, Annie Heaton, CEO of ResponsibleSteel™, and Helen Clarkson, CEO or Climate Group report on how United States Steel Corporation scored a world first at least month's #ClimateWeekNYC by achieving #ResponsibleSteel certification for its Big River plant and call for global collaboration, transparent certification and stepwise progress toward decarbonisation. International Energy Agency (IEA), HYBRIT #ClimateChange #Sustainability #Steel #Decarbonisation #USSteel #WorldTradeOrganization Terry Slavin Liam Dowd #CarbonBorderAdjustmentMechanism #ModernSteelAct #GreenSteel #HYBRIT #NetZero #SustainableTrade #GlobalCollaboration https://lnkd.in/dkWn_Act

The #deforestation crisis in #Brazil continues, with the #Cerrado facing significant threats even as progress is made in the #Amazon, writes Mark Hillsdon in an article from our in-depth briefing on Regenerative Agriculture (download here: https://lnkd.in/eeKxP99E). Data from MapBiomas reveals a 68% surge in deforestation in 2023, with ongoing risks tied to #SoyProduction, but initiatives supporting farmers to practice regenerative agriculture may offer hope. Friends of the Earth U.S., Alex Wijeratna, Mighty Earth, Leandro Baumgarten, The Nature Conservancy, José Pugas, JGP, ADM, Syngenta #Reverte programme, Land Innovation Fund, Cargill. Terry Slavin Liam Dowd #ClimateAction #SustainableAgriculture #RegenerativeFarming #GreenEconomy #Biodiversity https://lnkd.in/ePCJui8H

Ahead of this week's annual gathering in #Samoa of the Commonwealth Heads of State, Angeli Mehta PhD spoke to outgoing Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland about mobilising finance and the political will to achieve the goal of protecting 30% of oceans and land by 2030. A subject that will also be in the spotlight at this week's #COP16 on global #biodiversity in Colombia. Enric Sala, National Geographic Society #CHOGM #COP16 #Biodiversity #ClimateAction #30x30 #OceanProtection #MarineConservation #Commonwealth #BBNJ #GlobalBiodiversity #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateAdaptation #BlueEconomy #BaronessScotland Terry Slavin Liam Dowd https://lnkd.in/eUKNESYq

Key Takeaways from Reuters Events: Sustainability Europe 2024 💡 We are pleased to share a summary of the panel discussion "What’s Next for the SFDR and Sustainable Fund Labels," by Frédéric Ducoulombier, Director of EDHEC-Risk Climate Impact Institute: https://lnkd.in/dWUermrW Some takeaways: 🏷️ SFDR Review & Product Naming: panel discussed the significance of the recent European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) guidelines aimed at reducing #greenwashing. These guidelines ensure that funds using #ESG or sustainability-related terms are adhering to stricter criteria, with at least 80% of investments aligned with disclosed sustainability objectives. This measure is crucial for improving transparency and safeguarding investors from misleading claims. 📊 Data Challenges: Frédéric emphasized the ongoing challenges around #SFDR compliance due to inconsistent data quality. The phased implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (#CSRD) means fund managers are relying on estimated data, creating difficulties in aligning investor-level disclosures with actual investee company reporting. ♻️ Transition Finance: A major point of discussion was the lack of a clear definition of "transition finance" in the SFDR framework. This gap restricts Article 9 funds from fully engaging in brown-to-green strategies, especially where investee companies might still have significant environmental impacts, limiting the ability to finance necessary transitions. 🔎 Future Outlook: The panel recognized the European Commission’s recent recommendation on transition finance as a positive step forward. However, the need for clearer definitions and a more robust framework to ensure that #transitionfinance aligns with sustainability objectives was emphasized. These discussions underscore the importance of refining SFDR to enhance transparency, address data inconsistencies, and support the transition to a sustainable economy. A huge thanks to Christian Hickmott, who gave us the opportunity to discuss these key topics, and to Nathalie Dogniez, Chair of Eurosif, and Raphael Tietmeyer, for their valuable contributions. #SustainableFinance #GreenInvesting #CSRD #ClimateImpact #ClimateFinance #AStepForward

From repairability to rentals, Decathlon is at the forefront of the charge for circularity with initiatives such as eco-design, in-store repairs, and product buy-backs. CSO Anna Turrell spoke to Oliver Balch. #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #EcoDesign #Decathlon #Repairability #ProductRental #SustainableRetail #AnnaTurrell Terry Slavin Liam Dowd https://lnkd.in/enZPdZQn

Ten years on from uncovering human rights abuses in Thailand's shrimp supply chain, the Seafood Task Force has learned crucial lessons about transforming seafood sustainability. Here founding member and executive director Martin Thurley reflects on the lessons learned and how the Thai shrimp supply chain offers a litmus test for what’s possible, while also underlining what’s at stake. MARTIN THURLEY, #SustainableFood #SeafoodTaskForce #HumanRights #SupplyChain #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #Sustainability Terry Slavin Liam Dowd https://lnkd.in/eA7_gJUJ

From unpredictable weather to increased flooding, Indonesia and Malaysia's palm oil industry is grappling with climate change. Can regenerative agriculture save it? asks Robin Hicks in an article from the latest issue of The Ethical Corporation (download PDF here: https://lnkd.in/eeKxP99E). Anita Neville, Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), Aida Greenbury, Joseph D’Cruz, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), RIVAL Alain, CIRAD, Quynh Tran, IDH, Jean-Pierre Caliman, Smart Research Grant Rosoman, Greenpeace, Musim Mas Group Ferrero Grepalma Terry Slavin Liam Dowd #PalmOil #ClimateChange #Sustainability #Deforestation #Agroforestry #Indonesia #Malaysia #EnvironmentalImpact #SustainableAgriculture #Biodiversity https://lnkd.in/eYvupGm3

With the UN SDGs facing a funding gap of $4.2 trillion, businesses can play a critical role by leveraging ESG investment through impact marketplaces, ensuring measurable, verified results, write Celeste M. Brubaker, chief impact officer at Village Enterprise, and Greg Spencer, CEO and co-founder of Common Good Marketplace. Government Outcomes Lab, University of Oxford. #SocialImpact #DevelopmentAssistance #SDGs #ESG #Sustainability #ImpactInvesting Terry Slavin Liam Dowd #Poverty https://lnkd.in/ew5Pnupn