ESG Updates Locally and Internationally; Climate-Related Litigation—What’s Happening? and Sustainability Reporting Best Practices and Tips

In today’s corporate environment, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations have become essential for both board directors and the judiciary. With the introduction of the National Sustainability Reporting Framework and Bursa Malaysia’s Sustainability Reporting, companies in Malaysia face increasing expectations to enhance transparency, accountability and sustainability in their operations. Understanding these frameworks is vital for leaders to align their organisations with national sustainability goals and strengthen trust with stakeholders.

Globally, developments such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive are influencing corporate governance. The integration of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) into the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) highlight the growing importance of climate-related financial disclosures. These changes reflect the need for companies to remain competitive and compliant with international sustainability standards. As ESG issues take centre stage, climate-related litigation and increasing shareholder activism are also on the rise with public scrutiny of directors’ duties and the risks of greenwashing. This seminar will explore these challenges through real-world case studies by offering insights into how companies can mitigate legal risks, uphold fiduciary duties and improve sustainability reporting and governance practices.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understanding the latest ESG developments, National Sustainability Reporting Framework and Bursa Malaysia’s Sustainability Reporting Guide and Toolkits.
2. Evaluating the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive to understand their impact on global ESG practices and alignment with local regulations.
3. Applying insights from the integration of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) into the IFRS framework to effectively manage and report climate risks.
4. Utilising principles from The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) for incorporating climate-conscious legal drafting in a Malaysian context.
5. Analysing global trends in climate-related litigation with focus on shareholder activism, directors’ duties, greenwashing and case studies.
6. Examining sustainability reporting with latest case studies and derive lessons for to ensure compliance and mitigate legal & reputational risks.