Climate Summit Europe 2024

Delivering and Implementing Net Zero: reflections on COP29 and the year ahead in 2025.

The majority of large companies have strategic plans that span the next five years – and Boards in particular are responsible for looking beyond the short-term. Given the mounting evidence of unpredictable weather around the world there is a need for Board directors to have a view on the implications for global operating context in 2030. This panel will discuss key themes such as supply chain disruption, rapid policy changes and increasing uninsurability.

Currently companies are preparing for the first business year reporting in alignment with the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. The aim of this presentation is to raise awareness on the overlooked aspect of data assurance and the potential post-2028 shift to reasonable assurance. Get insights into how BASF is currently handling Greenhouse Gas emissions under reasonable assurance and a practitioner’s insight into the hurdles to expect when moving from limited assurance towards reasonable assurance in the EHS domain.

This session will dive deep into navigating scope 3 emissions and showcase how you can streamline data collection across supplier networks to ensure full transparency for key stakeholders. Learn how to set clear targets, collaborate effectively with your suppliers, and stay ahead of upcoming regulations. Through actionable insights, you’ll discover how accurate reporting not only meets compliance demands, but also showcases your organization’s progress and accountability in emissions reduction.

'Reimagining public transport to support modal shift and the road to zero emissions’ 

The innovation of Open Access Rail & First Bus electrification Internal commitments to scope 3 benefits Power of collaborative innovations when financing sustainable initiatives 

CEOs at listed companies are under no illusion that they need a climate change strategy and their CFO colleagues are on top of the financial reporting angle. But the level of investment being allocated to net zero programmes often seems to stop with strategy, data and reporting. This panel will discuss the extent to which shareholders want to see firms making investments to achieve their net zero goals – or see this as an unnecessary cost.

-         Creating a data domain for sustainability information

-         Establishing adequate data collection processes

-         Developing a corresponding system architecture for data collection, processing and reporting

In this session, Verdantix analysts will present a consolidated view of all the carbon and climate digital tools available on the market in a decision-useful format for senior managers. Starting with an overview of all digital technologies assessed on their proven value and stage of maturity, the analysts will then provide a deep-dive into key categories such as enterprise carbon management, energy management and financial climate analytics. 

There is a growing backlash against greenwashing and corporate leaders are taking notice. According to an EY survey, 55% of finance leaders feel sustainability reporting in their industry risks being perceived as including elements of greenwashing. The same survey also shows that more than two-thirds of finance leaders say investors are asking more questions about nonfinancial drivers of value now than two years ago. This is creating the perfect storm for corporate, sustainability, and finance leaders: How to provide high-quality sustainability data and reports, while reducing risks of greenwashing. Fortunately, with the right technology, organizations can successfully achieve the dual objective of establishing their climate credibility through high-quality sustainability metrics, while also being able to provide solid evidence for their climate-related claims. Learn how innovative software tools can help with ESG and sustainability reporting and data management, while reducing greenwashing risks. 

ESG strategies, and climate risks in particular, have become increasingly integral to business decision-making in an era of EU CSRD readiness. A ‘Golden Thread of Information’ connects effective data visibility and breaks down siloes to turn those strategies into decisions, credible action and staff engagement. This session draws on insights from exclusive new research, current trends, and user experience to show how leaders are building budgets and using technology to go beyond compliance, improve business, and streamline disclosures, including a 6-step checklist to tackle the climate challenge.

Nature and biodiversity are rising up the agenda with the finalization of the TNFD recommendations and the integration of biodiversity indicators into mandatory disclosures. Organizations may be struggling with where to start a nature-related impacts and dependencies analysis, but, nature has always been a critical component of business operations whether through environmental compliance, product stewardship or investment management. This panel delves into the critical connection between natural ecosystems and operations, showing key places where organizations can start turning minimizing impact into positive impact opportunities.

This session will delve into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence to power Sustainability and ESG, from CSRD reporting to scope 3 GHG calculations.

Financial reports need to reference which climate scenarios have been used as the backdrop for climate strategy development and financial risk quantification. But virtually all companies use off-the-shelf global scenarios which lack asset-level insights and are anchored by a 2100 end date. This panel will discuss how Boards and CxOs should – and shouldn’t – use climate scenarios to frame their strategy and risk management disclosures. They will also explore better approaches to undertaking asset-level risk assessments which do not feature in TCFD-aligned disclosures

Climate change creates opportunities as well as threats. The wine industry provides an interesting case study as grapes are a marginal crop which can thrive or shrivel with modest changes in warmth, sunshine and rainfall. Joining this panel will be two wine producers from English vineyards who will talk to the challenges of a more unpredictable climate as well as the upside for areas which previously were too cold to produce drinkable wine.