They cover:

• COP 29 – expectations vs. outcomes and targets;
• how businesses will be affected in the UK;
• the politicisation of ESG initiatives;
• current hot topics in ESG; and
• the future of COP and sustainable finance.

*Please note, this podcast was recorded prior to the US taking steps to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Rachel or Praveen.

Summary

In this latest policy in practice podcast episode, David Gauke, head of public policy at Macfarlanes, is joined by Rachel Richardson, head of ESG, and Praveen Gopalan, head of sustainability, to discuss the outcomes from COP 29, the latest developments in sustainable finance and climate policy. It should be noted that this podcast was recorded prior to the US taking steps to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

The conversation begins by reviewing COP 29, which was attended by Praveen. The discussion looks at how the COP 29 outcomes may affect businesses in the UK. They address proposed targets, the recent shifts in net-zero commitments, and topics such as the UK Green Taxonomy, ESG ratings providers regulations, the CSRD, and the potential SFDR 2.0.

The conversation moves to hot topics in the ESG and sustainability world, including biodiversity, the idea of a public retreat from ESG groups due to increasing pressures and concerns over political ESG issues, ESG in the US, and the concept of double materiality.

Lastly, the team discuss the future of COP, highlighting the importance of COP 30 in Brazil, which will potentially focus more on biodiversity, and the ongoing need for greater inclusivity in climate discussions.