CGI Global Summit 2022: Ambition to Action

The Climate Governance Initiative’s Global Summit 2022: Ambition to Action, is a 24-hour virtual conference starting on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, spanning the globe and bringing together highly motivated board members and other eminent speakers who champion effective climate governance.

This event will focus on actions that will help mobilize boards toward a net zero economy. Underpinned by the World Economic Forum’s Principles for Effective Climate Governance, it will focus on the role of boards in leading businesses through the necessary transition to net zero and capture examples of good governance from around the world.

This event program features globally relevant keynote speakers and panels, as well as region-specific interactive sessions developed and delivered by CGI’s network of corporate directors.

Chapter Zero Canada is a key event participant in the Summit, partnering with the NACD’s US Climate Initiative and Chapter Zero Mexico on two critical panel discussions important to the North American and global director community. 

Panel One: In partnership with the NACD’s US Climate Initiative: Preparing Boardrooms for New Climate-Related Disclosure Rules – A US/Canadian Perspective
Oct 12, 10 am ET (60 minutes)

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) have proposed new rules that would require public companies to disclose climate-related information in their periodic financial filings. 

Based upon the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), both requirements would be critical for directors and would have significant impact on boardroom governance, controls and procedures over climate risks and opportunities.  Further, boards would need to disclose their climate related strategy and risk management processes, metrics, and targets and how this responsibility is allocated. 

As these rules are revised, finalized, and adopted, directors need to be prepared and ensure they understand how this impacts their fiduciary duty, that they have the necessary skills and competencies to properly oversee climate-related risks and opportunities, and understand what resources their organizations need to devote to ensure they are properly disclosing their financial reporting requirements.
The webinar will guide participants to understand the following:

• Identify the critical elements of the climate-related disclosure rules most important for boardrooms
• Understand how the new disclosure rules will impact oversight of strategy, risk and financial disclosure reporting requirements
• How do the rules differ between US and Canada and what does this mean for cross-border issuers?
• How might the ISSB proposals impact the proposed SEC and CSA rules?
• What opportunities does this provide organizations as they transition and adopt to the new disclosure reality?

Speakers:

• Moderator:  Sarah Keyes, CEO, ESG Global Advisers Inc.
• Jo-Ann Matear, Special Advisor to the Executive on Sustainable Finance and Emerging Regulatory Issues, Ontario Securities Commission
• Mary Anne Bueschkens, Director, Algoma Steel Inc.
• Other speakers TBA

 
Panel Two:  In partnership with the NACD’s US Climate Initiative and Chapter Zero Mexico:
Climate Change Beyond Borders:  Incorporating Supply Chains into Your Boardroom Climate Strategy
Oct 12, 2 pm ET (60 Minutes)

Supply chain strategy has become a critical issue for boardrooms across North America as organizations are challenged with transportation bottlenecks, political risk, sustainability concerns and increased trade barriers.  Further, governments and financial regulators across North America are proposing new rules for climate change disclosure, prompting boardrooms to re-evaluate how these new rules might impact their current supply chains and climate strategy. 

Under the current Exposure Draft of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standard, organizations may be required to report Scope 1 (Direct Emissions), Scope 2 (Indirect Emissions) and Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions as regulators finalize their carbon footprint disclosure rules. With supply chain emissions (Scope 3) being the largest contributor, boards are reassessing their supply chain footprints as part of their climate change strategy.

Given increasing expectations around ESG performance, sustainability practices are being scrutinized by all stakeholders, meaning companies that can reduce Scope 3 emissions can have a strategic advantage when it comes access to capital and financial performance.

The webinar will examine the impact of supply chains and a boards climate strategy including:

• Geopolitical trends and changes in supply chains and how this is impacting organizations strategy and risk assessment
• How the new emissions reporting requirements intersect with the current challenges of having a reliable supply chain.  What organizations and sectors are most impacted?
• Understand the nuances of how boards are evaluating and incorporating supply chains into climate strategy as they look to minimize Scope 3 emissions
• Best practices and guidance for boardrooms as they evaluate their supply chain as part of their climate strategy

Speakers:

• Duncan Wood, Vice President for Strategy & New Initiatives; Senior Advisor to the Mexico Institute, Wilson Center
• Anne Sheehan, Director, Victoria’s Secret and Co.
• Other speakers TBA