ESG Summit Europe: Day 1

The ESG Summit Europe 2023, held in the stunning Galería de Cristal del Ayuntamiento de Madrid, has brought together over 500 professionals, experts, and enthusiasts in the realm of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters. Under the overarching theme of "Leading Investments for a Sustainable Future", this event has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for those dedicated to driving positive change in the world.

Day 1: Setting the Stage

The ESG Summit Europe kicked off with an opening address from Ana de Miguel Cabrera, General Manager of Institutional Relations and Strategy of the City Council of Madrid. She emphasized Madrid's commitment to sustainability and innovative solutions, setting the tone for the transformative discussions to follow.

Rodrigo Buenaventura: Ensuring Factual Financial Information

Rodrigo Buenaventura, Chair of CNMV (National Securities Market Commission), addressed the importance of transparency in financial reporting. He emphasized the need to create new rules to verify the accuracy of financial information. This focus on factual reporting is crucial for bolstering trust in sustainable finance initiatives.

Financial Markets for All: Rodrigo Buenaventuras Vision

Buenaventura further expanded on his vision for financial markets. He stressed that these markets must be accessible to all who need them, advocating for modifications and adjustments to serve the greater population. Achieving sustainable finance is an objective that must be realized in the short term, underlining the urgency of this cause.

?

Markus Müller: ESG for a Better Future

Markus Müller, Head of ESG Investments at Deutsche Bank Private Bank, delivered a thought-provoking message on the symbiotic relationship between the economy, finance, and ESG. Müller stressed that economies will always be affected by sustainable development, making it imperative for these elements to work in harmony.

During his session, Müller delved into the concept of creating a virtuous circle for a nature-friendly future in business. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts and highlighted that the economy and finance must unite with ESG principles to pave the way for a better future.

álvaro López Barceló: Three Pillars for Sustainable Transformation

álvaro López Barceló, Director General of the Treasury and Financial Policy at the Spanish Ministry of Economy, shared insights into Spain's Sustainable Finance Strategy. He outlined the three pillars of talent, capital, and partnerships as fundamental components of sustainable transformation.

Marcel Haag: Stopping Greenwashing

Marcel Haag, Director of the EU Commission, emphasized the need to adopt rules that facilitate the transition to sustainability. He highlighted the importance of companies committing to ending greenwashing practices. Haag's insights shed light on the EU's commitment to transparent and sustainable economic activity.

Julia Devos and Olivier Woeffray: The Evolving Role of Business

Julia Devos, Director of the Global Community of New Champions, and Olivier Woeffray, Practice Director at the World Economic Forum, shared their views on the evolving role of businesses in driving transformational change. They discussed how sustainability leads to innovation, operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and employment engagement.

PANEL DISCUSSION Sustainable Investment: Financings Role in Sustainable Business Transformation

?

Jerusalem Hernández: Commitment to Sustainability

Jerusalem Hernández, representing KPMG Spain, emphasized KPMG's corporate vision, rooted in moving capital through sustainable initiatives. She highlighted their intensive preparation for investment plans that are future-transforming and purely sustainable from an economic perspective.

Catherine Bohil: Striving for Sustainable Business Development

Catherine Bohil from Telefónica underscored the increasing presence of sustainable finance in daily life. She reiterated Telefónica's commitment to sustainable business development, demonstrating that large corporations are aligning their strategies with sustainability.

Pablo Perez Montero: Strong Sustainability at Caixabank

Pablo Perez Montero from Caixabank shared that sustainability is a robust focus area within the organization, particularly in the financial and corporate sectors. He highlighted the bank's dedication to sustainability, both in terms of serving the market and catering to customer needs. A noteworthy aspect of Caixabank's sustainability efforts is the establishment of a dedicated area for financial sustainability. This initiative demonstrates their commitment to creating and executing actions that lead to sustainable finances.

Andrea González: Commitment to Real Sustainability

Andrea González, representing Spainsif, emphasized that true sustainability demands more than just conversations. Instead, it requires unwavering commitment from an entire organization. Her message underscored the significance of aligning company-wide efforts with set sustainability goals. González's insights served as a call to action for businesses to translate their sustainability discussions into tangible, impactful initiatives.

?

Concha Iglesias: Navigating ESG Challenges

Concha Iglesias, a partner at Deloitte Spain, led a session that delved into the primary ESG challenges that companies face today. Her presentation provided valuable insights into how companies, regardless of their size, can make a meaningful impact in sustainability. Iglesias highlighted that ESG isn't solely the domain of large corporations; small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also play a crucial role in the ESG landscape.

Iglesias stressed the importance of market leaders setting an example for others to follow, emphasizing that these leaders should pave the way for SMEs by showcasing effective ESG strategies.

Additionally, she provided a step-by-step guide on implementing ESG programs within a company. This practical guidance was instrumental in helping attendees understand the actionable steps required to integrate ESG principles into their organizations.

Luc Steuns: Energy Transition and Net Zero Goals

Luc Steuns, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at CEPSA, shared insights into the role of hydrogen and biofuels in transforming mobility. He reaffirmed CEPSA's commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions before 2050, highlighting the energy sector's critical role.

John Elkington: Mainstreaming ESG

John Elkington, a global sustainability expert and Founding Partner and President at VolansHQ, took the stage to discuss the mainstreaming of the ESG agenda. He explored the Triple Bottom Line Theory, emphasizing sustainable business practices.

PANEL DISCUSSION: ESG regulatory challenges in the financial sector

?

Silvia Madrid: ESG in the Financial Sector

Silvia Madrid, representing UniCredit Iberia, delved into the role of environmental factors in social development. She emphasized the financial sector's responsibility to provide tools for informed decisions and the importance of accessibility.

Alicia Mu?oz Lombardía: Santanders Holistic Approach

Alicia Mu?oz Lombardía from Santander underscored the financial sector's vital role in sustainability. She highlighted the need for a reliable financing system while reinforcing Santander's holistic approach to this critical issue.

Cristina Martínez Salas: responsibility and sustainability can coexist with profitability

The debate on whether responsibility and sustainability can coexist with profitability is increasingly obsolete. Triodos' ISR funds in Spain have demonstrated competitive returns, proving that responsible investing can also be financially rewarding.

The financial industry's commitment, regulatory standards, and competition have made greenwashing less prevalent. The focus is shifting towards genuine sustainability efforts and impact, reflecting a positive trend in the industry.

INTERVIEW: Arbitrations Crucial Role in Advancing Sustainability Practices

?

Miguel ángel Serrano Pérez: Sustainability Arbitrage

Miguel ángel Serrano Pérez, President of AdeArbitraje, introduced the concept of sustainability arbitrage, which offers a framework for addressing complex ESG issues. His insights provided valuable perspectives on resolving intricate sustainability challenges through arbitration.

Nazareth Romero: Collaborative Sustainability

Nazareth Romero from the EU Commission emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainability goals. She highlighted that collective effort is the driving force for change and bridging the gap between the present and a sustainable future.

INTERVIEW: Unlocking the Circular Economy: Strategies for Sustainable Growth

?

Ismael Aznar: Pioneering Sustainable Logistics

Ismael Aznar, representing PwC Spain, opened the floor with insights into the challenges of logistics in the economic sector. He stressed the importance of educating consumers about recycling and highlighted the need for coordination and effort in the logistics chain. Aznar's address underscored the significance of logistics in promoting sustainability and reducing waste.

Ismael Aznar returned to the stage for an exciting interview on unlocking the circular economy and strategies for sustainable growth. He touched upon technology challenges and the crucial link between innovation, development, and sustainability. Aznar's expertise shed light on how businesses can align their strategies with circular economy principles.

Closing Thoughts

The ESG Summit Europe 2023 proved to be a pivotal gathering, uniting leaders and visionaries in the pursuit of sustainability. From logistics challenges to the circular economy, sustainability arbitrage, and the financial sector's role, each speaker brought a unique perspective to the table. The event facilitated meaningful discussions, highlighted best practices, and reinforced the urgency of working collectively towards a sustainable future.

As the #ESGSummitEurope came to a close, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to advancing ESG principles. This remarkable event demonstrated that sustainability is not just a buzzword; it's a shared vision that continues to gain momentum on the global stage.

In the ever-evolving landscape of ESG, events like the ESG Summit Europe serve as catalysts for progress, bringing together the brightest minds and fostering collaborations that will shape a more sustainable and equitable world.