2020 has been a year of seismic events that have fundamentally changed the business landscape. Never have global challenges – including climate change, cyber risks, Covid-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement – affected so many businesses and sectors, as quickly, and as deeply.
Which is why on Wednesday 4th November we explored the implications of these challenges on businesses and how companies should re-prioritise their material risks and opportunities. Our experienced consultants Thomas Milburn and Jennifer Saunders shared their thoughts on how the events of 2020 are shaping the environmental, social and governance (ESG) landscape; the changing views and expectations of key stakeholders and how business is responding. A special thanks to our expert panellists Anita Neville, Senior Vice President of Group Corporate Communications, Golden Agri-Resources and Duncan Paterson Head of ESG Thought Leadership, Asia Pacific, ISS ESG, for discussing the implications and answering to the questions from the audience.
Anita Neville
Senior Vice President of Group Corporate Communications, Golden Agri-Resources
Anita Neville joined GAR from ten years with the Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of tropical forests. Neville led the design and implementation of the first global marketing strategy for the Rainforest Alliance’s certification and verification services and served as representative for the Australia and Oceania region. She is a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) auditor, specialising in the social aspects of the respected forestry standard. Prior to the Rainforest Alliance, Neville was the Director of Communications for E3G, a European-focused environmental politics think tank specialising in climate diplomacy and energy policy. She began her career with WWF UK, rising to Head of Advocacy where she worked to secure the HSBC Investing in Nature partnership, work that continues to this day in the form of the HSBC Water Programme.
Duncan Paterson
Head of ESG Thought Leadership, Asia Pacific, ISS ESG
Duncan has specialized in the field of responsible investment for over 20 years, both in Australia and internationally. In addition to his work with ISS ESG (previously CAER), Duncan served for 10 years on the board of the industry body for responsible investment in Australia, the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) (the last few years as Chair), and for 10 years as a director of the Hong Kong-based Association for Sustainable and Responsible Investment in Asia (ASrIA). Duncan also co-Chairs one of the Technical Working Groups in the Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative (ASFI), as well as serving on that organisation’s Co-ordinating Working Group.