Conference programme

Amid a rapidly evolving ESG landscape, regions around the world are navigating shifting standards, regulatory frameworks and market pressures. Panellists will examine how recent global trends, such as the rise of mandatory climate disclosures, supply chain due diligence laws and growing anti-ESG sentiment in certain markets are shaping policy approaches and creating both alignment and friction across jurisdictions. The discussion will provide insights into regional challenges, from divergent regulatory philosophies to enforcement gaps, while assessing the influence of major regulatory blocs and emerging markets on the future of global ESG standards.

The Omnibus Package was launched on February 26, 2025, as part of the EU’s efforts to reduce administrative burdens and enhance competitiveness. It aims to simplify sustainability reporting and harmonize due diligence requirements for businesses. The package includes amendments to CSRD, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), and the EU Taxonomy Regulation. In this context, Michael Spanos will address how large firms should balance compliance obligations while maintaining operational efficiency, the impacts of reduced reporting requirements on ESG strategy, how ESG due diligence must evolve to maintain compliance with CS3D, and the future of ESG reporting across the EU

• Regulatory complexity and business compliance: how should large firms balance compliance with the CSRD, CS3D, and EU taxonomy while maintaining operational efficiency; common pitfalls businesses to avoid.
• Omnibus I and II – Impact on reporting obligations: strategic shifts that businesses should make in their ESG approach; unintended simplification consequences.
• Legal liability and ESG due diligence - how should corporate legal teams structure ESG due diligence to ensure compliance with mandatory human rights and environmental standards under CS3D.
• Future of ESG and regulatory harmonisation: is there room for further regulatory consolidation in ESG reporting across the EU; how might global frameworks like Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) or Securities and Exchange Commission’s sustainability disclosures interact with European directives in the future.

A standing buffet lunch will be available on the terrace. During lunch we invite you to participate in the roundtable sessions which will cover current topics in the ESG arena. The roundtable sessions will take place in the Temple Faubourg meeting room.

The proliferation of ESG regulations emanating from Europe, such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), sustainable finance and country-specific rules, has created a complex compliance landscape for multinational corporations and their subsidiaries. These regulations mandate rigorous due diligence, risk mitigation and remediation of human rights and environmental impacts, coupled with extensive disclosure. The application of these Global North-centric standards to Global South contexts presents significant challenges for corporate counsel on both sides of the equator, resulting in data, technology, regulatory and cultural disconnects and misapplications. This panel of in-house and external corporate counsel will explore those challenges through real life examples and suggest practical strategies for bridging this divide. We will discuss innovative approaches to adapt compliance frameworks, enhance capacity building and leverage technology to streamline ESG compliance. The goal is to identify solutions that not only ensure compliance but also create shared value, fostering a more equitable and sustainable global business environment.

Cut through the diplomatic spin and get an unfiltered look at the negotiations, compromises and legal implications for businesses and policymakers from COP29. This session will uncover what was achieved, what fell short and how ESG lawyers should prepare for the regulatory and corporate shifts ahead.

The ESG landscape in North America is evolving rapidly as political transitions in Mexico and the US, along with recent elections in Canada, reshape priorities and regulatory frameworks across the region. This panel will explore how these changes are influencing ESG policies, disclosure requirements and corporate strategies.

Key topics include the US’s new administration’s approach to ESG-related matters; Mexico’s progress on sustainable financing taxonomy and reporting regulations; and Canada’s continued leadership in ESG reporting, diversity and indigenous inclusion. Panellists will also examine how North America’s regulatory approaches align with or diverge from global ESG standards and the implications for cross-border operations.

Join industry leaders and legal experts to analyse the future of ESG regulation and its impact on businesses navigating this dynamic environment.

Lawyers play a crucial role as advisors to clients, which is recognized in the codes of ethics of various jurisdictions, providing context for legal advice. The UNGP’s and CSDDD are two examples of standards (one soft, one hard law) whereby companies are obligated to understand, monitor and mitigate their adverse human rights and environmental impacts. With the advent of artificial intelligence, new challenges and opportunities arise, implicating lawyers' ethical obligations. AI presents a double-edged sword in the realm of environmental protection and human rights. For example, AI-powered satellite imagery analysis has improved the detection of deforestation in the Amazon, allowing authorities to respond more swiftly to illegal logging activities. At the same time, facial recognition software and zero-click forms of spyware represent a threat to privacy rights that may impact ongoing activities of environmental defenders. Issues relating to bias in AI applications can also impact on the legal advice given that relies in part on AI. Sustainability issues are also raised in considering the computing power required to build and run AI systems demands significant energy and water resources, potentially exacerbating environmental stress in already vulnerable areas.

As advisors, lawyers must navigate these complex intersections, balancing the potential benefits of AI with ethical considerations that may require considerations of risks to human rights and the environment. There is a growing school of thought that lawyer should consider not only the legal implications but also the broader ethical and societal impacts of AI implementation in their clients' operations. This expanded role requires lawyers to be well-versed in both the technological aspects of AI and its ethical implications potential for human rights and environmental sustainability. This view is not without its opponents who argue for a stricter and more literal interpretation of the scope of legal advice. This discussion focuses on this flexion point.

As sustainability commitments become standard across the fashion and luxury industry, brands must grapple with the competing demands of rapid production cycles, luxury craftsmanship and the rise of DTC drop-shipping. How can legal teams help fashion and luxury companies align ambitious ESG goals with business realities? This panel will explore evolving EU regulations, supply chain due diligence and greenwashing risks while addressing the legal complexities of balancing sustainability with consumer-driven speed and exclusivity.

This session introduces the GRI-led alliance with leading LATAM law firms aimed at assessing how EU Sustainability Directives—such as the CSRD and CS3D—impact companies in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and the wider region. With contributions from Legance as a European reference point, the study explores the readiness of Latin American companies to meet these evolving standards and how voluntary reporting has positioned them for EU market continuity. Key insights will highlight the critical role of legal advisors in embedding sustainability into corporate governance and procurement systems, as well as the importance of collaboration between legal and sustainability teams. Recent developments in Europe, including the Omnibus Directive, will also be addressed, offering contrast and context for how LATAM markets can adapt to ensure competitiveness in a tightening regulatory landscape.

As the global push for net-zero accelerates, in-house counsel must balance ambitious ESG commitments with legal and operational challenges. This panel will examine the energy transition through the lens of infrastructure and natural resources, focusing on the role of legal teams in achieving sustainable energy goals. Key topics include navigating divergent regulatory frameworks, addressing environmental justice and biodiversity concerns and managing the risks of greenwashing. Panellists will also explore whether the Brussels Effect is driving harmonization or divergence in energy transition policies across jurisdictions.

In this session, Agostino Nuzzolo, General Counsel of Telecom Italia will explore how ESG standards are influencing legal and commercial decision-making in the telecom sector, especially as it relates to broadband development, digital infrastructure and cybersecurity. As telecom companies work to expand access while safeguarding digital networks, ESG considerations are playing an evolving role in risk evaluation, investor confidence, and operational strategy. This session explores how telecom leaders are navigating these pressures at a moment when global alignment on ESG is both accelerating and contested.