World Law Forum Roundtable on ESG in Emerging Markets

World Law Forum Roundtable on ESG in Emerging Markets

World Law Forum Roundtable on ESG in Emerging Markets

About the Roundtable

While there has been significant discussions and debates on various issues relating to ESG globally – a lot of it has been viewed from a western lens and the focus has largely been on the US, UK and US markets. Little to no discussion on ESG is centred around Emerging Markets, which comes with its own unique challenges and several companies face huge challenges in implementing ESG principles in such countries.

Sessions

Session 1
Introduction: What does it really mean – the ‘E’, ‘S’, and ‘G’ in emerging markets
In this session, the panelists will set the context on why is it helpful to have a focussed session on emerging markets. Some of the questions that will be discussed in this session, include a) What considerations are particular to those investing or operating in or advising or purchasing from emerging markets?; b) Do the duties of stakeholders differ, and how so?; and c) What’s the business case for ESG – is it profitable? how do I implement it?


Session 2
The impact of new and upcoming ESG Regulations on stakeholders

In this session, the panellists will provide an overview of the EU proposal for Corporate Sustainability Reporting and other new and upcoming global ESG regulations relevant to the ESG market. on stakeholders, in the context of capital access, supply chains, employee management and civil society engagement etc. Some of the key questions that will be discussed during this session include – a) the need for international standardization in relation to ESG standards; b) Likely future regulations; c) What should companies and investors be doing?; and d) what drives the ‘spillover’ influence of ESG approaches and regimes, where we see a specific jurisdiction or regime, such as the EU set or strongly influence the normative standard outside the market.


Session 3
Litigation and Enforcement: The environment, greenwashing and business and human rights

The session will provide a global view of cases and their impact on business, as well as current priorities for prosecutors and regulators. The panelists will discuss on how the threat of ESG litigation in developed markets impact business in emerging markets, and whether courts in emerging markets are themselves developing as forums for ESG litigation. The panelists will also discuss the emerging wave of litigation that waits ESG.


Session 4
Open Roundtable Discussion

Topic 1: Follow the money In this session, the panelists will discuss on what are capital pools doing to drive ‘ethical’ money. The discussion will touch upon sectoral engagement, opportunities, success stories, challenges and drivers etc.

Topic 2: Tools of the Trade Empowering individuals and communities in emerging markets to protect their rights within the ESG framework – are these effective?


Session 5
The fad that will not save the planet

While everyone’s talking about ESG, not everyone has good things to say about it. We have seen a steady rise in the population of ESG critics, who think that these are three letters that won’t save the planet. Critics have also suggested how the push for ESG in the western markets is having an adverse impact on poverty in Africa and Asia. This session will discuss ‘just transition’ and if emerging markets are not allowed to develop their energy needs, whereas developed markets have used the absolute majority of carbon historically and still to date? Is it a form of neocolonism if Dutch judges tell a major global energy company on what energy to sell in Asia or sub-saharan Africa?

Date

16 Sep 2022
Expired!

Time

9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Location

The Royal Institution
21 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BS, United Kingdom

Speakers

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