08:00 - 09:45

09:45 - 11:00

1A: Putting net zero commitments into practice

Net-zero commitments have become mainstream: with financial institutions across the investment chain setting targets and commitments. But the focus needs to shift from aspirational commitments to implementation and impact.

This session is designed to be practitioner-led and practical; sharing clear insights and examples of user cases across the finance sector on implementing net zero commitments and exploring how the various parts of the intermediation chain interact to successfully achieve real-world sustainable impact. We will feature speakers from across the investment chain who are part of, and driving strong engagement and implementation through, net-zero alliances and initiatives.

David Harris, Head of Sustainable Finance Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, LSEG
Sherry Madera, CEO, CDP
Bertrand Millot, Head of Sustainability, CDPQ
Elsa Palanza, Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainability & ESG, Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)
Kate Turner, Global of Head of Responsible Investment, First Sentier
Moderator: Patricia Fletcher, CEO, RIA Canada

1B: Policy and investor responses to address economic inequality in support of the SDGs

High levels of economic inequality – both within and between countries – have been tied to aggregate contraction of demand, lower levels of economic growth, political volatility, and financial instability and therefore pose material systemic risks for investors. This has clear knock-on effects on the ability to achieve environmental and social goals.

In this session, we will explore what the research says on economic inequality, its drivers, and potential short, medium and long-term impacts on society and the economy. We will consider important topics for companies to tackle inequality, and lastly, we will discuss how institutional investors and policymakers can respond in different market contexts.

Sharan Burrow, Co-Chair, The Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD)(remote speaker)
Sharmeen Contractor, Lead, Investor Engagement and Advocacy, Oxfam America
Todd Cort, Senior Lecturer in Sustainability; Faculty Director of Sustainability Program, MBA for Executives; Faculty Co-Director, Yale Center for Business and the Environment
Sindhu Janakiram, Equality Lead, ESG Analyst, BNP Paribas Asset Management
Lebogang Mokgabudi, Independent Board Trustee, Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF)
Moderator: Nikolaj Halkjaer Pedersen, Senior Lead, Human Rights & Social Issues, PRI  

1C: Addressing systemic risks through stewardship

Join us for a deep dive into the role that investors can play in addressing systemic risks, such as climate change, nature loss and inequality. This interactive session will first explore the concept of systemic risks and why they matter for investors. Industry leaders will then share examples of how stewardship can be used to address these risks, providing delegates with insights on how you can take this from theory to practice and some of the challenges and opportunities.

William Burckart, CEO, The Investment Integration Project (TIIP)
Eva Cairns, Head of Responsible Investment and Stewardship, Scottish Widows
Brynn O'Brien, Executive Director, Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR)
Peter van der Werf, Head of Active Ownership, Executive Director, Robeco
Moderator: Delilah Rothenberg, Co-Founder and the Executive Director, The Predistribution Initiative (PDI)
 

1D: Academic Network Conference: Natural capital

Join us as we discuss the papers below with their authors, alongside industry and academic discussants.

Paper 1: Pricing the Priceless: The Financial Cost of Biodiversity Conservation

Paper 2: The Value of Climate Hedge Assets: Evidence from Australian Water Markets

Haoyu Gao, Professor of Finance, Renmin University of China
Lloyd Kurtz, Visiting Scholar, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Ryan Lewis, Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Colorado
Sylvaine Rols, Senior Specialist, Nature, PRI
Moderator: Caroline Flammer, Director, Sustainable Investing Research Initiative, A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Economics, Columbia University

1E: The future of investor reporting

Disclosure requirements for investors have evolved rapidly, driven by demand from clients and regulators. This has raised the need for solutions that tackle this growing range of disclosure requirements. Drawing on examples from investors and other stakeholders, this session will explore the latest insights on reporting solutions and how investors are incorporating this data into decisions.

Nadia Humphreys, Global Head Sustainable Finance Data Solutions, Bloomberg
Lorenzo Saa, Chief Sustainability Officer, Clarity AI
Laetitia Tankwe, Head of Sustainability Advocacy and Assurance, HSBC Global AM
Leilani Weier, Head of Responsible Investment & Sustainability, REST
Moderator: Michael Jantzi, Board Member, International Sustainability Standards Board

1F: Learning from others: Incorporating sustainability issues into financial analysis

Join us for a deep dive into public markets investment analysis that incorporates environmental, social and governance considerations. This practical session will explore processes, practices and examples of how sustainability is implemented in identification of material issues, gathering of data and its use in investment analysis, forecasting, valuation and investment decisions. Using case studies, experienced practitioners will showcase their approach and inspire roundtable discussions and idea sharing.

Michal Bartek, Senior Lead, Listed Equity, PRI
Colleen Denzler, Chief Sustainability Officer, Loomis Sayles & Company
Samantha D'Amore, Portfolio Manager, Trillium
Rhian Jones, Partner, Head of Sustainability, Ownership Capital

11:00 - 11:45

11:45 - 13:00

2A: Navigating evolving regulatory landscapes

Governments are increasingly requiring investors and companies to disclose information related to climate change and other sustainability objectives.

This session will look at the variety of policy instruments that are being put in place, the different approaches governments are taking in shaping their disclosure frameworks, and how interoperability across geographies can be improved.

Discussions will centre on how disclosure requirements enable investors to take action, and as such can contribute to real-world outcomes.

Verity Chegar, Board Member, ISSB
Till Jung, Managing Director and Head of ESG Business, ISS STOXX
Stephane Tardif, Managing Director, Climate Risk Division, OSFI
Sacha Sadan, Director of ESG, UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Nicole Yazbek-Martin, Head of Taxonomy and Natural Capital, Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI)
 

2B: Amplifying synergies between nature and human rights in policy and investor action

Current socioeconomic systems have led to widespread nature degradation and pervasive human rights impacts. There is an urgent need to transition to a more sustainable economy which benefits both environmental and social systems. However, if not well-designed and implemented, investments and public policies for nature can negatively impact human rights and socio-economic conditions, and vice-versa. Such dynamics highlight the need to investigate the relationship between social and nature issues. This session will discuss how public policy and investor action can help amplify synergies and address trade-offs between these areas, including in the specific case of land use and deforestation.

Arisa Kishigami, Independent Consultant and Sustainable, Investment Specialist, En-CycleS and Chronos Sustainability
Benjamin Michel, Sustainable Finance Lead, OECD
Iraz Soyalp, Director, Social Impact, Private Markets, Manulife Investment Management
Moderator: Tollak Nylaende Bowitz, Sustainable Finance Lead, Rainforest Foundation Norway

2C: Climate Engagement Canada: Canada’s blueprint for investor-led climate action

CEC is a finance-led initiative that drives dialogue between the financial community and corporate issuers to promote a just transition to a net zero economy (akin to CA100+). CEC has been one of the most successful regional collaborative engagements on sustainable finance in the world, with many countries currently working to create similar initiatives using CEC as their blueprint.

What are the ingredients for a successful collaborative investor engagement? Why has CEC seen such broad support locally and around the globe? Join us and learn about the blueprint for CEC with a view to launching or contributing to other regional initiatives.

Joseph Bastien, Trustee, The Wiikwemkoong Trust
Deborah Ng, Head of ESG and Sustainability, GMO LLC
Priti Shokeen, Managing Director, TDAM
Carmen Velasquez, Managing Director, Sustainable Investing, Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo)
Moderator: Jeffrey Jones, ESG and Sustainable Finance Reporter, Globe & Mail

2D: Academic Network Conference: New measures

Join us as we discuss the papers below with their authors, alongside industry and academic discussants.

Paper 3: Greenwashing

Paper 4: One Hundred and Thirty Years of Corporate Responsibility

Prof. Buhui Qiu, Professor of Business and Finance, University of Sydney Business School
Athanasia Karananou, Head of Stewardship, RBC Brewin Dolphin
Sehoon Kim, Assistant Professor, University of Florida
Aaron Yoon, Associate Professor, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Moderator: Pedro Matos, Professor and Academic Director, Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management, University of Virginia Darden School of Business

2E: Focus on impact: Investing to effect real-world change

The urgency of the climate and nature crises and rise of social inequality around the world compels concerted action by investors. This session will explore how investors can deliver on ambitions to address the root causes of these challenges and identify long-lasting and impactful solutions. We will discuss themes such as asset allocation decisions as well as how to set targets and work with investees to implement action plans that drive value for investors and positive real-world outcomes.

Gwen Colin, Head of ESG, Partner, Vauban
Hiroshi Kaai, Deputy General Manager at Responsible Investment Strategy Office, Nippon Life Insurance Company
Paul Lacerte, Founding Partner, Raven Indigenous Capital Partners
Asa Mossberg, Head of Sustainability, AP2
Moderator: Sean Gilbert, Chief Investor Officer, GIIN

2F: Leveraging ESG to create value in private markets: Driving financial returns

Financial value creation and sustainability are not at odds with each other.

Within financial markets, private markets are uniquely positioned to create value for investors, portfolio companies and society by helping portfolio companies embed sustainability strategies that drive improved financial performance.

Private markets has long prided itself on its ability to use the tools of stewardship and capital allocation more effectively to bring strategic insights and operational excellence to portfolio companies. Unfortunately, many private market investors do not yet know how to identify, create, and capture that value.

Even those few private market investors who do it, are at the beginning of their sustainability value creation journey and can still progress.

Join us to understand and discuss the process and best practices with investors using sustainability to drive value creation in private markets.

John Adler, Chief ESG Officer, Office of the New York City Comptroller
Jennifer Coulson, Global Head of ESG, BC Investment Management (BCI)
Deike Diers, Partner, Sustainability for Private Equity and Financial Investors, Bain & Company
Lindsay Gibson, Vice President, Permira
David Patrick Ferguson Smith, Head of ESG and Impact, Aqua Capital
Aditya Vikram, Head, Private Equity, PRI

13:00 - 14:15

14:15 - 15:30

3A: New directions in carbon pricing

The carbon budget to limit warming to 1.5C is rapidly being exhausted on the current emissions trajectory. Carbon pricing shows serious promise as a tool to address this crisis. To date, results for market-based pricing have been patchy and challenges persist. New tools, such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the concept of Climate Clubs, aim to remedy that.

How do the latest developments on regional carbon pricing affect investor transition risk? How are climate alliances between nations teeing up the embedding of carbon into global trade? How might these developments impact the spread of carbon pricing globally? How can investors get on the front foot?

Brian Hensley, Partner, Kaya Partners
Melissa Hillier, Manager of Engagement & Assessment, Carbon Markets Bureau, Environment & Climate Change Canada
Marisol Fernandez Alonso, Global Head of Climate Action - Finance, Cemex
Nick Stansbury, Head of Climate Solutions, LGIM
Moderator: Ben Yeoh, Senior Portfolio Manager, RBC Global Asset Management

3B: Utilising sustainability to generate alpha

This session will explore the practitioners view on the connection between sustainability and returns across (and within) asset class. The panel will explore some examples of how integrating sustainability into investment process and portfolio construction can contribute to alpha generation.

Arup Datta, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Quantitative Equity, Mackenzie Investments
Rob Furdak, Chief Investment Officer for Responsible Investment, Chair of the Responsible Investment Committee, Man Group
Anna Murray, Senior Managing Director, Total Fund Management, Global Head of Sustainable Investing, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP)
Laura Nishikawa, Managing Director, ESG Research, MSCI
Bonnie M. Wongtrakool, Global Head of ESG Investments/Portfolio Manager, Western Asset Management Company, LLC
Moderator: Rose Easton, Chief RI Ecosystems Officer, PRI
 

3C: Two years of ‘Advance’: Lessons learnt on using stewardship to tackle human rights issues

This session will reflect on the two-year journey of the 'Advance' initiative, examining the successes, challenges, and key learnings in leveraging investor stewardship to address material human rights issues. The discussion will touch on the activities conducted under the Advance initiative, the ongoing challenges investors face in their stewardship efforts around human rights, and the critical role of engaging with affected stakeholders in this context.

Nabylah Abo Dehman, Head of Stewardship, Social Issues and Human Rights, PRI
Mary Beth Gallagher, Director of Engagement, Domini Impact Investment
Igor Kareld Díaz López, Attorney - National Board of Directors, Coal Industry Workers Union Colombia (SINTRACARBON) (video address)
Wilhelm Mohn, Global Head of Corporate Governance, Norges Bank Investment Management
Elizabeth Umlas, Senior Advisor, IndustriALL
Moderator: Shalini Ramgoolam, Manager, Investor Leadership, SHARE

3D: Academic Network Conference: Investor and manager decisions

Join us as we discuss the papers below with their authors, alongside industry and academic discussants.

Paper 5: Custom Proxy Voting Advice

Paper 6: Environmental Violations, Indigenous and Minority Population

Paper 7: Pollution-Shifting vs. Downscaling: How Financial Distress Affects the Green Transition

Eddy Adra, Chief Executive Officer, Coast Funds
Dr. Vishaal Baulkaran, Associate Professor, Dhillon School of Business, University of Lethbridge
Yasser Boualam, Visiting Assistant Professor of Finance, Wharton School
Nadya Malenko, Professor of Finance, Boston College
Adriana Robertson, Donald N. Pritzker Professor of Business Law, University of Chicago
Moderator: Diane-Laure Arjaliès, Associate Professor, Managerial Accounting and Control & Sustainability, Ivey Business School

3E: Best practise in manager selection and relationships: DEI, sustainability and progress

The session will explore how asset owners and their investment managers can most effectively collaborate to achieve responsible and sustainable investment objectives. It will focus on:

• Best practices for asset owners in selecting, appointing and monitoring investment managers.
• Improving the efficacy of the manager RI due diligence process, both from the asset owner and manager perspectives.
• Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through manager selection, appointment, and monitoring.

3F: The do’s and don’ts of sovereign engagement

Investors are advancing their practice in sovereign engagement as part of stewardship and fixed income strategies as the extent of environmental and social risks to portfolio performance become increasingly apparent. But many real and perceived barriers remain. In this session, practitioners will share practical strategies on how to do it: whom to speak to, what are typical avenues, what types of messages resonate with policy makers and what resources do investors need. The session will also explore emerging tools and reporting that may enable deeper sovereign engagement practice including global public sector reporting standards for climate and sustainability issues.

Celine Chan, Principal, International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB)
Tongai Kunorubwe, Head of ESG, Fixed Income, T.Rowe Price
Caroline Le Meaux, Global Head of ESG Research, Engagement and Voting, Amundi
Graham Stock, Managing Director, RBC BlueBay Asset Management
Moderator: Reina Berlien, Head of ESG, Brandywine Global

15:30 - 16:05

16:20 - 16:45

16:45 - 17:30

17:30 - 18:45