Centre for Sustainable Business host their second summer conference

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As organisations face increasing legal and social pressure to disclose their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, providing an honest account of their business impacts is paramount.

The Centre for Sustainable Business (CSB) addressed this critical issue at its second in-person Summer Conference, held on Thursday 13 June 2024, themed 'Full, Fair, and Honest ESG Communication.'

Exploring Transparent ESG Communication

The one-day interactive conference brought together CSB researchers and business leaders to explore the complexities of effective and honest ESG communication to key audiences, including investors, regulators, customers, and competitors.

The event sought to answer pressing questions: Does transparent ESG reporting necessarily lead to reputational damage and negative market reactions? How do different stakeholders perceive and react to honest disclosures?

The conference, hosted by CSB Director Professor Jo Meehan, featured several compelling keynotes from Ben Carpenter (CEO of Social Value International), Dr Ahmed Al-Abdin (Senior Lecturer in Marketing, ULMS), Ryan Bromley (Partner, Good Innovation) and Yvonne Filler (Marketing Manager, Good Innovation) sharing insights into different prospectives on ESG reporting and transparent communications.

Professor Jo remarked, “Hearing business leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities encouraged discussions on the practical steps all organisations can take, and seeing new connections and collaborations emerge was a testament to the diverse and inclusive community the CSB is building.”

A highlight of the conference was the interactive roundtable discussions.

Participants engaged in three sessions facilitated by CSB academics, Professor Charlie Cai, (Professor of Finance), Dr Jen Davies (Programme Director for MSc Project Management) and Clare Westcott, (Postgraduate (PhD) Researcher and Chair of the CSB Advisory Board) each focusing on specific ESG communication issues.

These discussions provided a space for deep reflection and provocative dialogue, allowing delegates to rethink their current strategies. The roundtables were highly valued for their practical insights and interactive format.

“The event featuring CSB’s research from finance, marketing, and supply chain fields offered valuable insights into the debates on ESG disclosures and communications” said Professor Jo.

Delegates also enjoyed a creative session from Sophia Polson (Creative Director and Founder of Phase Creative). She shared a photo gallery and delivered an insightful talk on the power of visual storytelling to connect to communities on the front line of climate change, providing a powerful conclusion to the day.

Amy Noble, Director of Procurement at the University of Liverpool, enthused, “Wow, just wow! What a fantastic day! I left feeling energised, inspired, and brimming with ideas, and a fantastically extended network.”

Orian Mendes, Business Development Manager at TSO, added, “Fantastic event, it’s quite a wonderful thing where you walk away feeling inspired to do different as a force for good. The innovative thinking under the theme 'business not as usual' offered ideas that any business of any size can start with.”

The CSB Summer Conference 2024 was a resounding success, providing valuable insights and practical strategies for effective ESG communication.

The event emphasised the importance of transparency in ESG reporting and its potential to foster trust and drive meaningful change.

Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the complexities of ESG communication and a renewed commitment to honest and impactful reporting.

About the Centre for Sustainable Business

The CSB is one of six Management School Research Centres and serves as a hub of actionable research insights, supporting businesses and policymakers in finding solutions to the climate emergency and social justice issues.

The Centre focuses on bridging the gap between academics and organisations, by translating research into accessible guidance and collaborating with businesses on research projects to help achieve their sustainability goals.

Find out more about the Centre of Sustainable Business