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ICAEW Sustainability Summit

4 – 5 November 2024, Virtual Event

This two-day summit is designed to provide finance professionals with the practical insights and strategies necessary to lead on a vital transition to net zero, nature positive and socially just economies.

Book now Join the Sustainability and Climate Change Community

Highlights

The ICAEW Sustainability Summit will deep dive into the heart of the issues for those working in business, practice, financial institutions and NGOs to enable you to drive meaningful action on climate, nature, and social impact within your organisation and beyond. Start taking action today.
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The new government agenda

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Why nature matters to professional accountants

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Integrating sustainability into decision-making

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Climate-related risk and scenario analysis

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Corporate strategies for thriving workplaces

2024 programme

Monday 4 November 2024

The first 100 days: Government's progress and future ambitions for climate and nature
Join leading representatives from the business sector and civil society for an in-depth panel discussion on the government's performance in its first 100 days in office. This session will provide a platform to explore the government’s preliminary actions, current progress and future ambitions concerning the country’s approach to climate and nature policy..
09:00 - 10:00
Why nature matters to professional accountants and how to get started
As global efforts to shift to a net zero, nature positive future accelerate, business resilience and value creation increasingly hinges on bringing nature into decision-making alongside climate. Accounting professionals can play a key role in enabling the businesses they lead and advise to navigate a way forward - but it can be challenging knowing where to begin. Whether you are a board member, an executive, report preparer, or assurer – join this event to discover why nature matters to your role, and how to start embedding nature into your day-to-day practices.
11:00 - 12:00
Integrating sustainability into decision-making
Gain exclusive insights into how leading companies are successfully integrating sustainability into their financial and business decision-making. Discover how Brazil’s largest cosmetic multinational, Natura has leveraged their Integrated Profit and Loss framework to make informed decisions. Benefit from the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way and the insightful recommendations they have to offer. Learn about Oxbury Bank’s progress in assessing nature-related risks and opportunities and how this is being integrated into their strategy and lending decisions.
13:00 - 14:00
SDG accounting: A solution to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is the world’s action plan for eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable economic development, and enabling climate resilience and nature restoration. The business and finance sectors have played an active role in supporting progress on SDGs through innovation, financing and building cross-sector and multi-stakeholder partnerships. However, evidence is mounting that it is unlikely that the UK and the world in general will achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The consequences if we do not meet these goals are dire. Bold action is needed, and the accounting profession can play in this. Join us in this webinar to hear from Professor Ian Thomson about his research into the challenges hindering SDGs progress and the role of accounting in enabling effective decision-making and action.
15:00 - 15:45

Tuesday 5 November 2024

Demystifying climate-related risk and scenario analysis
Climate-related Risk and Scenario Analysis need not be complex; in fact, it can serve as a strategic lever for your business. Join Forvis Mazar’s team of sustainability and weather analytics experts as they delve into the challenges faced by companies looking to conduct climate-related risk modelling, the value for companies in conducting such modelling and simple steps companies can take to get started. This session aims to demystify climate-related risk modelling and demonstrate its potential as a strategic tool for business growth and resilience. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your existing strategies, this session will provide valuable insights to help you navigate the climate-related risk landscape.
09:00 - 10:00
Workplace wellbeing: Corporate strategies for thriving workplaces
Join us for an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of corporate responsibility for workplace wellbeing. This session will delve into the latest trends and best practices in promoting wellness in the workplace. Gain practical advice and actionable strategies to create a supportive and thriving workplace environment.
11:00 - 12:00
What does good stewardship look like?
Understand how effective governance can strengthen investor engagement and create meaningful change in your organisation.
13:00 - 14:00

Our speakers

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Richard Spencer Director, Sustainability, ICAEW

Richard joined ICAEW in 2005 to set up the sustainability practice within Reputation and Influence department. During this time Richard has led on the ICAEW’s thought leadership and engagement programme in sustainability.

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Mansoor Ahmad Deputy Group Head, Africa Economic Development, FCDO

Mansoor is the newly appointed Chair of ICAEW's Sustainability Committee, a Chartered Accountant and an International Development professional with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. Following his time at PwC, he worked at FCDO, shaping impact investment, clean energy, and agribusiness markets across Africa and South Asia. He advises governments, investors, and businesses on economic development and sustainability. In recognition of his contributions to international development, Mansoor was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2021 New Year’s Honours.

Speaker: Chris Aylet
Chris Aylett Research Associate in the Environment and Society Centre, Royal Institute of International Affairs

Since joining Chatham House in 2020, Chris has worked with partners in China and across Europe to increase understanding of the risks of climate change, in particular ‘cascading’ risks that cross national borders. His research is currently focused on the interactions between geopolitics, trade, climate policies and the energy transition. Previously, Chris worked for an international consortium researching the drivers of entrepreneurship in different contexts. He has also worked in the music industry. Chris holds an MSc in global energy and climate policy from SOAS, University of London.

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Riona Bowhay Senior Macro-stewardship Analyst, Aviva Investors

Riona Bowhay is a Senior Macro-stewardship Analyst at the Aviva Investors Sustainable Finance Centre for Excellence. She works with Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Steve Waygood, to drive systemic change in financial markets. Engaging with policy makers and regulators around the world, the team seeks to address market failures on sustainability issues to support the creation of a sustainable financial system. Riona joined Aviva Investors following six years working in consulting and has deep, practical knowledge on transition plans, non-financial data assurance, TCFD reporting and climate governance.

Rosie Dunscombe is Technical Lead, Climate Change at ICAEW
Rosie Dunscombe Founder, Blue Crane Consulting

Rosie Dunscombe (FCA), founder of Blue Crane Consulting, specialises in integrating sustainability into accounting and business strategy. A Chartered Accountant with a Masters in environmental economics, she has 20 years of experience in accounting and sustainability. Her work includes sustainability training for accountants, finance integration, and capitals assessments. Rosie authored the ICAEW’s Sustainability Certificate, led the Capitals Coalition’s Biodiversity Guidance, and serves on the International Sustainability Standards Board’s Technical Reference Group.

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Neha Dutt Policy Lead, Defra

Neha Dutt is the Policy Lead for Greening Finance at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). In her role, she works to ensure the financial system incorporates nature-related risks and opportunities into business and investment risk management and decisions. Prior to joining Defra, Neha led country, sovereign and FI risk management for SSA, LatAm, and EEMEA at Barclays and then Deutsche Bank, for over 7 years.

Sharon Flood
Sharon Flood Retail & Infrastructure NED/Chair

Sharon Flood is a Non-Executive Director at Getlink SE, where she chairs Safety and Security, Cityfibre, chairing Audit, and Scottish Mortgage PLC. She has chaired Seraphine Group PLC, S T Dupont SA, and served as a non-executive director at Pets at Home PLC, Crest Nicholson PLC, and Network Rail Ltd, leading Audit, Remuneration, and ESG committees. Sharon has held leadership roles at Sun European Partners and John Lewis Partnership. Currently a Trustee of the University of Cambridge, she’s also a Fellow of Chapter Zero, focusing on helping NEDs tackle climate change.

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Richard Giles Senior Director and Community Lead, Pensions for Purpose

In Richard's current role, he collaborates with trustees, advisers, and fund managers to share knowledge and foster best practices. With 30 years of experience in the pensions industry, Richard’s expertise spans consulting, executive management, and board/trustee roles. He has held prominent positions, including Managing Director of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, Partner at PwC and executive roles at TPT Retirement Solutions.

William Hughes
William Hughes Sustainability Services Lead, Forvis Mazars

William is a Sustainability Services Lead for Forvis Mazars in the UK, having joined Forvis Mazars in South Africa in 2017. William is an IEMA certified carbon footprint analyst and has 18 years' experience working in Sustainability. William advises companies and organisations of all sizes across different sectors on their ESG, Human Rights and Net Zero journeys, based on best practice and aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP's). 

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Karen McWilliams Sustainability and Business Reform Leader, CA ANZ

Karen leads the policy and advocacy work at CA ANZ on corporate governance, anti-money laundering, and sustainability. She represents CA ANZ on various Australian and global councils and co-chairs the GAA Sustainability working group. Karen is a non-executive director on the UN Global Compact Network Australia Board and member of the Australian Government’s Nature Finance Council. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with Worley Parsons, Ernst and Young in Sydney, and Deloitte in London.

Marwan Patrick
Marwan Patrick Wellbeing Area Issue Lead, Business in the Community

Marwan Patrick is the Wellbeing Area Issue Lead at Business in the Community (BITC). His mission is to enhance employee wellbeing through evidence-based strategies and data-driven approaches. Marwan collaborates with organisations to create a healthier work environment, leveraging the power of science and data. Working with a leadership team comprised of business leaders dedicated to workplace employee wellbeing, he helps drive a positive change in the working environment across the UK. 

Fauzia Safdar Khan
Fauzia Safdar Director - Sustainability Consulting at Crowe Pakistan

Ms. Fauzia Safdar Khan is an expert in finance, sustainability, and business strategy. She holds an MBA from the University of Leicester, focusing on sustainability's integration with brand equity and marketing. Ms. Khan has extensive experience in ESG consultancy, financial risk management, business advisory and sustainability reporting, bridging financial objectives with sustainable practices.

Carolien Samson
Carolien Samson Head of Sustainable Banking, Oxbury Bank

Carolien Samson is the Head of Sustainable Banking for Oxbury Bank which encompasses all elements of sustainability both internal and external for the Bank. Oxbury, with its head office in Chester, started trading in 2021 as a fintech bank focused on the food and agricultural sector and financing the rural economy in the United Kingdom. She has degrees in Town and Regional Planning, Economics and Development Practice from the University of Pretoria and a law degree from the University of South Africa. 

Rob Sunderland
Rob Sunderland Managing Director, RedLines

Rob is the founder and Managing Director of RedLines. He has been at the forefront of integrating climate risk analytics into the company's offerings. His strategic inputs over the past 15 years have not only expanded the business internationally but have also positioned RedLines as a pivotal contributor to climate risk management for blue-chip companies. 

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Professor Ian Thomson Professor of Accounting and Sustainability at University of Dundee

Ian Thomson has held prestigious positions at several universities. His 34-year research career spans cleaner technology, stakeholder engagement, risk governance, and more. He has advised on sustainability for the IPCC, Scottish Parliament, and UN agencies. Currently, he focuses on carbon accountability and operationalising the SDGs for business. In 2019, he was named BAFA Distinguished Academic of the Year.

Nigel Topping
Nigel Topping CMG Co-founder, AmbitionLoop

Nigel Topping, CMG has led and been involved in many of the global initiatives uniting business and governments in tackling climate change. He is cofounder of AmbitionLoop, a not-for-profit organization working to facilitate systemic change through radical collaboration between businesses and governments. He served as the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP26, where he launched global initiatives like Race To Zero, Race To Resilience and GFANZ. 

Ellie Wild
Ellie Wild Sustainability Manager, Forvis Mazars

Ellie is a project manager for sustainability consulting engagements at Forvis Mazars. She has specific experience assessing the impact of climate-related risk on business strategy and financial planning, climate risk modelling, and reporting in line with the TCFD. During her time at Forvis Mazars she has played an instrumental role in developing tools and methodologies for global teams to use in the delivery of Responsible Supply Chain, Net Zero and TCFD Reporting services. 

Testimonials

An event that significantly enhances the understanding of the climate issue and its impacts on companies.

Climate Summit 2022 delegate

Great overview for those new to the Net Zero subject who know they want to get on and do their bit for the planet

Climate Summit 2022 delegate

An excellent initiative by the Institute and one to maintain annually.

Climate Summit 2022 delegate

What an amazing event - the speakers and ICAEW moderator were all excellent and I learnt so much in one hour. Thank you ICAEW for organising this, and for bringing a discussion about such an important topic to us

Climate Summit 2023 delegate

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Climate hub

Are you professionally ready to mitigate the risk and maximise the opportunity of climate change? Find resources, information and inspiration here.

Visit our climate hub

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