Sustainable funding issues in focus

For the ninth consecutive year, Global Sustain organized the Sustainability Forum , a unique event for corporate responsibility and sustainable development. The Sustainability Forum 2020 – A training, networking and professional development event, took place on October 9, 2020, at NJV Athens Plaza in Athens with the presence of speakers, and over 200 participants via live streaming. The Forum highlighted the importance of sustainable investment, as well as the need for economic recovery in terms of sustainability.

This year, in the context of the conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic and focusing on the safety of those involved in the institution of the Sustainability Forum, the event took place in hybrid form (phygital), brought COVID Shield certification by TÜV AUSTRIA Hellas, while for Speakers who had a physical presence observed the protection measures recommended by GEP. Specifically, the participants watched the sessions via live streaming, having the opportunity to interact with the speakers but also networking opportunities through the special platform of LiveOn.

The Forum was attended by leading speakers and experts on sustainable development from international organizations.

The conference was opened by George Lambrinos President & CEO of GEP Group, speaking about the challenges faced by companies in the midst of a pandemic, followed by a speech by Ioannis Kallias, CEO of TÜV AUSTRIA Hellas, who referred to COVID Shield certification developed by the company.

The Michalis SpanosGlobal Sustain CEO spoke about the ESG risk assessment in the banking, investment and insurance sectors. Analyzed the new compliance rules and accountability framework for sustainability, referring to the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria that will unlock € 1 trillion in sustainable investment over the next decade, in line with the European Sustainable Development Goals. Agreement and the Paris Agreement. Mr. Spanos referred to the structure of sustainable financing, as adopted by the EU, with particular reference to the Taxonomy Regulation, which provides guidance on which economic activities are sustainable and contribute to climate neutrality, improving the reference framework,

The Athena Chatzipetrou,President and CEO of the Hellenic Development Bank – EAT, pointed out the catalytic role of the pandemic in the activity of the bank, which focuses on a sustainable development plan, as well as the challenges it faced in the lockdown. It supports entrepreneurship with fast track lending procedures during the crisis period and with new products in the near future. Ms. Hadjipetrou announced in the coming months a new package of “green” financial instruments, the design of which, including “green” bonds, follows the best practices of organizations such as the World Bank. This includes loans for energy savings, green transport, sustainable food and waste management.

Dimitris Pontikakos, Analyst, Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF), from the EBRD, spoke about the overall approach and the role of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – EBRD in the transition to a “green” economy , while reversing the flow of capital Towards a sustainable economy by the EBRD, said Maya Hennerkes, ESG Sector Lead for Financial Intermediaries, EBRD. Ms Hennerkes spoke about the overall framework of the EBRD energy initiatives, with special reference to the € 160 million loan to PPC and the placement of approximately 60 million euros in TERNA Energy. With regard to non-performing loans, a rapidly growing market, returns are emerging, as investing in them with social criteria can strengthen the banking sector. Ms. Hennerkes referred to the EBRD’s initiative to investigate the social risks inherent in these business activities, while the study (Greek Non-Performing Loan Portfolios) will lead to tools that will guide investments, setting social criteria in portfolio management.

The issues of business supervision and accountability regarding ESGs were raised by Vasiliki Lazarakou, chairwoman of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, urging companies to gain more knowledge about them, talking about their importance to listed companies.

The role of the financial system in the transition to a low carbon economy was highlighted by Dimitrios Dimopoulos, Director of the Sustainability Unit of Piraeus Bank. Mr. Dimopoulos referred to the global trends and challenges for ESGs, and the role of Piraeus Bank.

The Maria Dimopoulos , Director of Communications and Sustainable Development PAPASTRATOS analyzed the way in which a tobacco can be driven to a sustainable development model.

The Paschalis Kastanas , Director of Sustainable Packaging of Nestlé Hellas, analyzed how a product creates extra value when it reaches the end of his life and used again, as for Nestlé’s actions to limit the use of plastic in packaging and in the cyclical contribution economy.

The Mario Giordano, Director Marketing Greece and Israel, Signify, talked about doubling the positive impact of the company on the environment and society, as part of Brighter Lives, Better World 2025.

Katerina Matiatou, a member of the BMW Foundation, highlighted the commitment of the leaders as a lever for change .

The cyclical and holistic approach of the plan as a force for change, highlighted Stephan Clambaneva, member of the Board of IDSA, referring to the mission to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

The Aris Vrettos, Director, Centre for Business Transformation, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), said that the next decade companies being at the heart of the transition to a sustainable economy, we must align the purpose of the strategy and its action long-term value creation for society.

The Wayne Sharpe , CEO & Founder of Carbon Trade Exchange, explained how the compensation of C0 emissions 2 brings cost reduction, favoring ESGs and contributes to the creation of a “green” future. In fact, indicative of the trend is that 22% of global carbon emissions (12 GtCO2e) were offset in 2019.

Thanos Belalidis, Director of Sustainability Implementation & Communication, Partnership Team, spoke about the commitment of stakeholders and the building of trust in unprecedented circumstances .

The Alex and Constantine Panagiotou, CEO & Founder and Co-founder respectively of Oramique highlighted the human factor as an important value in business, stressing the irreversible consequences of the lack of personal and professional sustainability.

The Sustainability Forum 2020 is aimed at all professionals involved in sustainable development, such as: responsible for sustainable development and corporate responsibility, human resources, marketing and corporate affairs, communication and public relations specialists, environmentalists, environmental engineers, quality executives, , lawyers, investors, MKO executives, students, etc.

The next appointment is in October 2021!

For more information, visit: http://sustainabilityforum.gr/ .

 

Gold Sponsor: GILEAD, Papastratos, Piraeus Bank

Silver Sponsor: Cosmote, Interamerican, Nestlé Hellas

Supporters: Alpha Bank, PPC Renewables, Greek Petroleum, Greek Gold, European Faith, Eureka, Henkel, Papadopoulou, Health Group, Signify, Quest Holdings

Technology Innovation Partner: Cisco, Webex

Digital Partner: Generation Y

Coffee Partner: Nespresso

Cocktail Partner: Gancia

Beer Partner: Athenian Brewery

COVID Shield Partner: TÜV AUSTRIA Hellas

Health & Safety Partner : GEP SA

Institutional postiriktes: AIESEC, Greek-Americans Chamber of Commerce Hellenic-German Chamber of Commerce, Greek-Dutch Trade and Industry Association, Greek Association of Industries Cold & Logistics, Association of Listed Companies (EN.EIS.ET.) PASEPPE, Alliance Greece, Greek Advertisers Association, CFA Society, CEO Clubs Greece, Your Directors Club.

Communication Sponsors: ANT1, Naftemporiki, CSR Review, CSR Week, Csrnews.gr, Marketing Week, Daily Fax, Plant, Ecozen.gr, Epixeiro.gr, Ethos Media (MONEY, banks.com.gr), Paloservices.com, Skywalker .gr / Stentora.gr.