Hosted as part of edie’s Business Leadership Month (March 2024), the Sustainable Leadership Business Sessions were dedicated to helping sustainability and energy professionals develop and deliver industry-leading strategies and projects in 2024, covering topics ranging from top-line strategy development to targeted upskilling and data collection work.
They originally aired on Tuesday 5 March and are now available to stream on-demand. Access is free.
—CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP SESSIONS ON DEMAND—
This premium online event effectively combined three edie webinars into a single afternoon, with each webinar session taking a particular focus and format. The first session was Q&A-style panel debate on the future of purpose-led business; the second included a series of back-to-back best practice case studies on green jobs and skills; and the third provided insights and top tips on enhancing sustainability data – a key facet of effective strategy delivery.
Session One:
The Q&A Purpose Panel: What will purpose-led business look like in 2024?
Purpose was a buzzword in recent years. But now, businesses such as Unilever are deliberately reframing their messaging and strategising. Moreover, other firms, up against fresh financial and policy pressures, are needing to back-track on previous ESG commitments and are reconsidering certification under purpose-led schemes.
With this in mind, a selection of business leaders and climate experts discussed the ongoing external challenges facing the movement towards purpose-led business and outline potential pathways forward.
Chair
- Matt Mace, Content editor, edie
Speakers
- Emily Kraftman, Managing Director, UK & Europe at Who Gives A Crap
- Jennifer Allyn, Campaigns & Program Director, ClimateVoice
- Emily Morrison, Director of sustainability and the Just Transition, Institute for Community Studies
- Beverley Cornaby, Director, UK Corporate Leaders Group (CLG)
Discussion Points
- Are CEOs stepping back from purpose amid shot-term pressures?
- Effective ways of communicating business purpose and building trust.
- Avoiding purpose-washing through meaningful action and transparency.
Session Two:
Best practice case studies: Upskilling staff and promoting green jobs
Our second session of the afternoon saw experts from a hand-picked selection of businesses delivering short, action-focused case study presentations on how they are identifying and closing green skills gaps within their operations and/or supply chain.
Chair
- Sarah George, Deputy Editor, edie
Speakers
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- Tom Ebbutt, Director of Impact, B Lab UK
- Rahul Mohan, Net-zero carbon lead, Environment Agency
- Min Huy Lai, chief operating officer, Generation Europe
Discussion Points
- How to identify green upskilling opportunities
- Partnerships for skills pipeline developments
- Embedding sustainability across different departments
Session Three:
45-minute masterclass: Getting to grips with emissions data
Our third and final Sustainable Business Leadership session was designed to help professionals get to grips with their emissions data, covering issues ranging from accurate measurement and tracking to best-practice disclosures. Data is crucial to meaningful climate strategy development, tracking delivery and identifying further opportunities for improvements and leadership.
Chair
- Sarah George, Deputy editor, edie
Speakers
- McKenna Smith, Head of Validation, Science Based Targets initiative
Discussion Points
- How to continually improve data quality, from industry average estimates to granular and specific figures
- Using data to develop ambitious and science-based goals
- Harnessing digital technologies