ESG & Stakeholder Engagement

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is becoming more and more of a necessity these days. This is forcing many companies to adjust their strategies, organisations and reports, driven by regulations, reputation and the expectations and preferences of their stakeholders.

As part of our Climate Risk & Sustainability Weeks we organised an ESG & Stakeholder Engagement Event for general counsel, legal counsel and CSR officers. The programme for the event covered a variety of topics, with the focus on issues such as sustainability reporting obligations, B Corp certification and long-term value creation.  

• Stakeholders in 2022 present an extensive, varied and complex field, and it is becoming increasingly important for companies to build lasting relationships with the world around them. How does this adjustment affect the role of lawyers? And what is the impact on the relationships with their clients? Marloes Brans has written a column describing how she sees the evolving role of lawyers.
• Around the world, one initiative after the other is being undertaken to make companies ESG-accountable. The European Commission is one of the key forces behind that development, with its proposals for a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”) and a Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (“CSDDD”). Jacques Kröner and Sofie Nijhuis discussed the latest developments in sustainability disclosure obligations for companies and products. 
• Internationally recognised B Corp sustainability certification places companies at the forefront of the market, and prepares them, in a positive sense, for anticipated European ESG legislation. Kyoko Tollenaar discussed and reflected on B Corp, and had a dialogue with a certified company.
• From profit to value: reputation management and crisis communication specialist Frank Peters discussed what role stakeholder engagement plays in long-term value creation. 

About the Climate Weeks

During the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh from 6 to 18 November, world leaders will gather to talk about the ambitious climate goals. Houthoff will anticipate COP27’s results during the second edition of the firm’s Climate Risk & Sustainability Weeks.