ESG: Convergence and Divergence Between the U.S. and Europe

ESG: Convergence and Divergence Between the U.S. and Europe

an ACGC Virtual Roundtable Co-Sponsored by le Club des juristes

ABOUT THE EVENT

As the U.S. has moved forward in fits and starts with disclosure requirements for large corporations on certain ESG matters, including DEI and the impact of climate change, the EU has been moving forward far more assertively in implementing mandatory disclosures on many topics (some of which are subject to a double materiality test), as well as substantive actions covering a much broader range of key issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy, biodiversity, recycling, sustainability governance, the workforce and the corporation’s impact on society.  For corporations conducting their operations in both the EU and the US — particularly for corporations domiciled in the U.S. — trying to navigate global regulations and frameworks can present significant reporting challenges and lead to potential inconsistencies in approach.

This session discussed best practices for corporations trying to efficiently and effectively position themselves to meet potentially conflicting regulatory and public demands, while establishing a global ESG compliance process that is fit for this purpose.

The panelists included:

• Georgia Magno, Chief Legal Officer at Baker Hughes (Houston, TX and Florence, Italy)
• Dr. Birgit Spiesshofer, M.C.J. (New York Univ.), Europe Chief Sustainability and Governance Counsel at Dentons (Berlin, Germany)
• Kristen Sullivan, Audit & Assurance partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP and leads Sustainability and ESG Services (Stamford, CT)
• Michael Coyle, Partner at Arthur Cox LLP (Dublin, Ireland)

The panel was moderated by Ade Heyliger, Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (Washington, D.C.)  and Mathieu Blanc, Partner at Kasser Schlosser (Lausanne, Switzerland).

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