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| Environment stream |
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1a. Carbon disclosure and the value of reporting
Measuring your carbon emissions is the first step towards a low carbon operation but being transparent about your carbon footprint and climate change risks is an important part of the process. Increasingly stakeholders are requesting information on how companies are measuring and reporting on their supply chain emissions as well. How well are Asian companies disclosing their climate change impacts, risks and strategies? What value do they gain from reporting on their greenhouse gas emissions? Join us in this session to investigate the different reporting channels, such as the Carbon Disclosure Project, to be aware of and gain insight on how companies are positioning on upcoming regional and global legislation on climate change reporting. 1b. Business strategies for adapting to a changing climate Whilst climate change mitigation has already taken priority on the global agenda, not many companies have put in place adaptation strategies and measures. What are the important steps needed for a company to devise a strategy for adapting to a changing climate? How can companies begin to move beyond their own operations and consider the wider impacts of climate change on communities in which their sphere of influence can extend? This session will highlight business aspects of the adaptation agenda, linking to broader society and public-private partnerships. Case studies will be used for illustration and sharing. 1c. Innovative solutions for sustainable value chains There is a compelling business case for companies to work across their value chain and together with suppliers and manufacturers in developing products and services which are commercially viable and have a reduced social and environmental impact. However, working with suppliers to achieve high social and environmental standards can be extremely complex and more so when you aim to work on establishing a sustainable value chain across your global operations. In this session Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble will show how they have increased their competitive strength and profits while reducing their environmental footprint through sustainable innovations in their value chain. 1d. Sustainable ingredients Western consumers and NGOs have long been demanding that palm oil, soy, sugar and other ingredients are produced sustainably. Many producers have complied with these demands, obtaining sustainability certification and changed their way of operating. But some remain sceptic, claiming that China and India as the largest commodity markets will never pay a premium for - or indeed demand – sustainability. Will transnationals operating in these markets help change this picture, or will India and China remain markets where low-standard products can be sold. This panel will present the views from industry experts and transnationals involved in these prime markets. |
| Workplace & Community stream |
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2a. The role of business in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Asia
Five years before the 2015 deadline to fulfill the commitments of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to end some of the worst social and environmental crises, it has become clear that the MDGs are likely to fail if the serious gaps identified in last year’s progress report are not met by decisive action - also from the private sector. How does your business contribute to achieving this corner stone of sustainable development and how can you measure your business' impact in order to better manage and improve your performance? This interactive session will offer a practical insight in the different approaches the private sector can take to contribute to the MDGs. We will start of with a short introduction of the MDGs and the progress in Asia, highlighting potential business opportunities. Next Vestergaard Frandsen will highlight their business strategy, which is completely aligned to the MDGs. Before we go into a lively discussion, we will offer a practical introduction to the "MDG Scan", a tool developed by NCDO in the Netherlands. The MDG Scan is a tool designed for companies to measure their positive contribution to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and demonstrate their role in the global initiative to reach the MDGs. 2b. Business continuity planning and the role of the private sector in disaster preparedness The impact of natural catastrophes on societies and economies is on the rise and with continuous growth of population and economic activity the economic damages caused by the natural disasters are worsening. In particular Asia, as the most vulnerable continent to climate change, is expected to suffer more heavy losses. Against this background, assessing disaster risks and developing comprehensive mitigation and recovery plans has become key to successful business planning. Companies have a stake not only in formulating business continuity plans but also in extending core business practices and competencies towards ensuring the overall stability of the economic environment. Join this session to learn more about how to move from disaster response to effective business disaster resilience, and how to effectively contribute to community disaster preparedness. 2c. Return on investment for corporate community investment: Shared value and benefits for the business and the community? The different ways that companies invest in communities have the potential to bring shared value for the business and the community. Now, more than ever it is important to understand the Return on Investment (ROI). Companies need to understand the benefits to ensure they are ultimately using their resources well and contributing to community development but also to link benefits to corporate objectives and strategy. What is the role of the company vis-à-vis their partner organisations? Would an increased focus on monitoring and evaluation be just a tick box requirement or is it a real opportunity for open dialogue and engagement about social change? How can you communicate results in a way that resonates with a wide variety of stakeholders both internally and externally? Join us for this interactive panel to hear from two companies who were leaders in helping to launch the Community Investment Roundtable and the London Benchmarking Group in the region. Together with their partners they will share their insights on the challenges and opportunities that monitoring and evaluation and impact assessment present. 2d. HIV and AIDS: Why is it your business Misconceptions about communicable diseases such as HIV and AIDS often lead to discrimination and social stigma. What is the business case for companies to take an active role in combating HIV and AIDS? How can companies overcome the challenges when rolling out HIV and AIDS programmes in countries like China, where there is potential for a clash between a global policy on diversity and local regulations? Addressing the issues from a corporate perspective, our speaker from Accor will explain their approach to tackling HIV and AIDS within their core business through workplace policies and client relationships and through their NGO partnerships and community involvement. Chi Heng Foundation will share their experience fostering relations with companies and lobbying government authorities. Participants will understand the complexity of both running an HIV and AIDS programme and forging public-private partnership and share views on how to tackle the challenges. Standard Chartered Bank will share their experience, with an Asia focus, of running a global HIV and AIDS employee programme (with local sensitivity to culture) from the ground up at very low cost; how the private sector can successfully work with the public sector; and why the bank believes employers from any sector have a unique opportunity to contribute to the fight against HIV and AIDS whilst benefiting core business and operations. |
| Marketplace & Transparency stream |
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3a. The rise of the Asian transnational corporation
Over the past decade, an increasing number of Asian businesses have branched out with operations both across the world. Sceptic observers echo earlier criticisms of Western TNCs with claims that these companies apply double standards; providing decent jobs and contributing to nation building at home, while lowering standards abroad. This panel will discuss the issues involved in transnationalisation for leading Asian businesses and how some of the largest Asian-based corporations are tackling these. 3b. What investors are looking for: Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues Who are this new breed of ‘Responsible’ Investors and what impact will their ESG focus have on corporate Asia? Lucy Carmody, Executive Director of the highly respected independent research boutique, Responsible Research, will describe the changing investment landscape and what effects recent global governance, social and ecological events are having on the way investors make decisions. The session will cover how to identify material risks to earnings from non-financial indicators and how best to deliver the information to shareholders and the investment community. Representatives from three different asset management companies will share their views on ESG analysis and corporate risk from ignoring sustainability issues. 3c. Embedding CSR into corporate governance Corporate governance is the system by which a company makes and implements decisions in pursuit of its objectives. In the context of social responsibility, corporate governance can be used as a means of ensuring a company’s ability to implement socially responsible behaviour in relation to labour practices, the environment, consumers, human rights and local communities. Any organisation claiming to be socially responsible should have a decision-making system designed to put into practice the principles and practices of accountability, transparency, ethical behaviour, respect for stakeholder interests and respect for the rule of law. This session will bring together experts in the area of corporate governance and outline some of the trends, best practice and failures of corporate governance practices in Asia. It will showcase examples of where successful organisational governance has enabled corporations to achieve their goal of creating a sustainable business. |
| Asian CSR stream |
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4a. Developing and implementing a CSR/sustainable development strategy in your company
This session is specifically designed for companies which are beginning to develop a CSR or sustainable development strategy. Using a case study from a leading airline company in Asia, participants will be introduced to best practice steps in involving the right people, calling upon resources, engaging stakeholders, setting targets and objectives and implementing your plans. 4b. China Compliance Professionals Association workshop Corruption is a widespread problem in the auditing industry. It harms all involved, from companies providing auditing services, to clients, factories, auditors themselves and ultimately workers (for whom auditing should result in positive workplace benefits). A quick fix is impossible, and in this session speakers will outline a new Hong Kong-based long-term initiative that aims to develop a culture of professionalism amongst auditors working in China. The China Compliance Institute is based on the way other professional institutes have provided mechanisms leading to the development of a more professional culture, greater control over industry practices, and increasing levels of competency. Several key players in establishing this industry-led project will speak on the Institute and the issues it seeks to address. 4c. Reporting workshop In order to address sustainability challenges and to be part of urgent efforts to develop innovative solutions for sustainable development rather than being seen as part of the problem, businesses need to understand their negative and positive economic, social, and environmental impacts. A strategic approach to CSR combined with a rigorous sustainability reporting process can help provide a clear picture of impacts, identify sustainability risks and opportunities, and answer to the increasing demand for accountability from stakeholders. This session will showcase some examples of companies’ reporting processes, share best practice, and provide insights on how reporting not only improves transparency, but can also help focus a continuous process of CSR strategy development. 4d. The 2010 Asian Sustainability Rating™ The Asian Sustainability Rating (ASR™) is an ESG benchmarking tool for use by Asian companies, investors and other stakeholders. Launched in October 2009, the ASR™ initially covered the top 20 companies by market capitalisation in 10 Asian markets. ASR™ 2010 will continue to cover the top 20 companies by market capitalization as well as cover the top 500 companies in the 10 markets of the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index, based on their free-float weighted market cap. In order to promote sustainability disclosure, the final ranking and some features of the methodology will be made available in press releases, at conferences and to the media. For more information, visit www.AsianSR.com. |
