Making Sustainability Sustainable: laying the foundations for future success

Tuesday, 26 November, 09:30 – 18:00

DLA Piper
160 Aldersgate
London
EC1A 4HT

This event is a full-day experience bringing together high-level professionals consisting of DLA Piper partners, General Counsel and C-Suite business executives, Chief Legal Officers, Chief Sustainability Officers and Heads of Risk and Compliance from across the Consumer Goods, Food and Retail sector (CGFR).

We’re at a pivotal moment for sustainability.

The past decade has seen a substantial increase in regulation focused on climate, nature and social issues. Mandatory sustainability reporting requirements are coming into force around the world. New laws targeting supply chain sustainability are also on the rise. As a result, in-scope CGFR companies are increasingly compelled to understand their direct and indirect environmental and social impacts in greater detail than ever before.

To understand how CGFR companies are responding to this new era of sustainability, DLA Piper commissioned research among 600 senior business leaders in the sector. Our research uncovers the long-term commercial risks emerging from short-term pressure to act on sustainability. Informed by these perspectives, this report highlights opportunities to strengthen business – not just compliance – and offers practical insight to help companies build a strategic response to sustainability.

Join us for a day of insightful discussions and debate as we explore sustainable practices and strategies for future success. Understand how CGFR companies are approaching the new era of sustainability and explore opportunities to strengthen business – not just compliance.

When you attend, you will:

• discover what your industry peers think the biggest sustainability challenges are – now and in the future
• understand how they’re preparing to meet growing sustainability regulation and scrutiny 
• see how short-term actions are creating future risks so that you can get ahead
• have access comprehensive data on what CGFR organisations are doing to comply in three critical areas:
• reporting data and information.
• legal and compliance infrastructure.
• supply chain transparency.
• get practical tips on steps for building a strategic response:
• driving the right sustainability strategy, narrative and values from the board down.
• be in a better position to enhance data accessibility, quality and capabilities across your company and its supply chains.

09:30 – 10:00 Breakfast and networking

10:00 – 10:10 Welcome and introduction of key market research findings

10:10 – 11:10 Panel 1: How Sustainability Risks are Shaping Business Strategies

Panellists:

Nick Rock, Global Co-Chair, Consumer Goods, Food & Retail, DLA Piper
Georgina Camfield, Head of ESG, Aramark UK & Global Offshore
Jack Cunningham, Senior sustainability leader, previously M&S, Kingfisher, Gemfields and Pwc
Judith Banks, Senior ESG Counsel, IHG Hotels & Resorts

As organizations strive to keep up with new regulations and growing scrutiny, the panellists will discuss the multitude of challenges they face, including:

• new legal obligations
• increased stakeholder scrutiny
• emerging compliance gaps
• the rising threat of litigation
• and the complexities of greenwashing and greenhushing.

11:10 – 11:20 Break

11:20 – 12:20 Panel 2: Closer engagement with supply chains to mitigate sustainability risk

Panellists:

Richard Sterneberg, Partner, DLA Piper
Guido Kleve, Partner, DLA Piper
Greta Koch, Policy Advisor, European Parliament
Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability, British Retail Consortium
Emma Piercy, Head of Energy & Climate change, Food & Drink Federation

This panel will delve into the transformative power of disclosure requirements and their profound impact on modern supply chains. Discover how these regulations are not just compliance measures but catalysts for innovation and transparency. This panel will focus on:

• disclosure requirements and how new regulations are transforming supply chains
• supplier base rationalisation - the pros and cons of streamlining your suppliers
• overcoming obstacles to effectively manage and leverage data
• identifying and mitigating antitrust risks.
• facilitating collaboration among various stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives.

12:20 – 13:15 Lunch

13:15 – 14:15 Panel 3: Practical actions to strengthen your whole business

Panellists:

Nick Rock, Global Co-Chair, Consumer Goods, Food & Retail, DLA Piper
Shaun Walden, Head of Sustainability and ESG, UK and Europe, DLA Piper
Glenda O'Hara, previously Principal Counsel, Burberry

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach that goes beyond mere compliance. This panel will explore practical actions to fortify your entire organization. We’ll delve into the benefits of a cross-functional strategy, enhancing supply chain transparency, and mapping regulatory exposure. Additionally, we’ll discuss engaging with suppliers, strengthening risk management frameworks, organizing data, and implementing pre-litigation strategies. Join us to discover how these measures can not only ensure compliance but also drive overall business resilience and success.

14:15 – 15:05 Breakout sessions

Main auditorium: Embedding sustainability from the top down
Mini auditorium: The data challenge & supply chain diligence

15:10 – 15:30 Plenary: Key takeaways from each breakout

15:35 – 16:30 Panel 4: Steps to mitigate litigation risk effectively

Panellists:

Nick Rock, Global Co-Chair, Consumer Goods, Food & Retail, DLA Piper
Jean-Pierre Douglas Henry, Managing Director for Sustainability, DLA Piper
Jeremy Sher, Partner, DLA Piper
Laura Ford, Partner, DLA Piper

In today’s complex legal landscape, mastering litigation defence and mitigation strategies is crucial. By learning effective approaches, you can significantly reduce litigation risks. This panel will discuss how to identify and map out areas of potential risk is essential for proactive risk management:

• engaging with external stakeholders under the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
• anticipating the highest areas for litigation risk
• enhancing your governance structures and controls to better manage risks.
• equipping your team with the skills needed to navigate emerging risks.

16:30 – 16:45 Round up and thank you

16:45 Drinks & networking