At our third annual ESG Gamechangers Summit, leaders from across business, law, science and policy gathered to tackle the question: “ESG – risk or reward?”

Following an afternoon of industry insights, compelling arguments and an inspiring keynote from Professor Brian Cox CBE FRS, the key take-aways for our attendees 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.
5. Professor Cox concluded that the fact that we care to know more about our own existence and the galaxy is itself a sign of human significance. Our significance thus creates a responsibility on us to preserve our universe and human life for the future.

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The agenda for the event comprised:

• Keynote speaker, Professor Brian Cox, deliberated the question of the significance and insignificance of human life in the context of our vast and ever-expanding universe.
• A panel of industry professionals provided their insights on how to manage ESG risks and opportunities in light of developing ESG regulation, sustainable business practices and funding considerations.
• A lively debate on whether "The free market has climate action in shackles". Our speakers presented arguments displaying how the free market presents both a help and a hindrance to the progress of climate action.

We would like to thank Professor Brian Cox, all our panellists and speakers for sharing their insights during this event. Thank you to our attendees for joining us and we look forward to hosting next year's annual ESG Game Changers event.

Authored by Roslynn Ampomah and Amy Cleaves.