Hogan Lovells ESG Game Changers Summit 2024: Risk and Reward

The annual event brought together a dynamic mix of perspectives, with business leaders, policymakers, lawyers, and scientists to help define a path forward in the rapidly evolving world of ESG. This year’s Hogan Lovells 2024 Keynote ESG Address was delivered by world renowned Physicist Professor Brian Cox CBE FRS who shared his inspiring vision for our future, one that requires us to recognize human significance and our responsibility to preserve our universe and human life. Previous speakers have included British entrepreneur and TV personality Deborah Meaden, Paul Polman, the Former CEO of Unilever and co-author of Net Positive, and the then Secretary of State for International Trade, Rt Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP.
 
Key highlights of the event included a thought-provoking debate chaired by partner Bryony Widdup and Sophie Lambin, CEO of Kite Insights, who led the room through an animated discussion on whether “The free market has climate action in shackles.” This engaging session challenged our biases and helped foster a nuanced understanding of how market forces impact sustainability efforts.
 
The full list of external 2024 speakers included: 
 
Laetitia Girolami-Boyer [Global Banking Sustainability Officer, BNP Paribas UK], Omosuyi Fred-Omojole [Head of Corporate Development and General Counsel, Anergi Group], Stuart Burnside [Head of Product, Sustainability & Governance, M&G Investments], Fiona Howarth [CEO, Octopus Electric Vehicles], Kaya Axelsson [Research Fellow and Head of Policy and Partnerships, Oxford Net Zero], Paul Simpson OBE [Partner, ERM and Co-Founder, CDP], Clover Hogan [climate activist and founder of Force of Nature], Dr Mirabelle Muuls [Associate Professor in Economics, Imperial College Business School and co-Director, Hitachi-Imperial Centre for Decarbonisation and Natural Climate Solutions], Richard Barker [Partner, Counteract], Akshat Rathi [Senior Climate Reporter, Bloomberg and Author, Climate Capitalism], Farhana Yamin [International climate lawyer and climate justice activist] and Sophie Lambin [Chief Executive and Founder, Kite Insights].
 
Hogan Lovells speakers: Adrian Walker [Global Head of ESG at Hogan Lovells], Bryony Widdup [partner], Karl Racine [partner], Rita Hunter [partner] and Katie Dunn [associate].  
 
Key takeaways
 
Following an afternoon of industry insights and compelling arguments the key take-aways from our external speakers were:

1. Due diligence of projects is crucial for attracting and securing investment. Investment committees need to know that a project is a robust and viable investment.
2. Highlighting the net-positive local benefits of a project and stakeholder engagement can make a project more attractive to investors.
3. The standardisation of models and reporting practices will aid businesses as they navigate the global development of ESG regulations.
4. While the free-market drives innovation in climate action, the rising cost of climate solutions shapes the decisions of actors and may hinder progress towards sustainability.