In-person summit | UK — November 30, 2023
Climate Summit
EMEA
Net Zero | Climate Risk | ESG | Sustainability
Join us in London and gain the insights you need to be a change-maker!
Net zero regulations are increasing globally – with governments making disclosure frameworks such as the TCFD, and the approaching TNFD, mandatory. There is increasing pressure from all stakeholders for companies to have transparent
& actionable strategies in place lest they face financial and reputational consequences.
This summit will gather 150+ sustainability professionals and give an overview of this rapidly changing landscape and provide a
platform for thought-leaders in the net zero, climate risk, and carbon management spaces to have discussions that really matter and learn how to navigate this ever-evolving landscape.

Thought-provoking speakers

Interactive learning environment

Live product demonstrations

Connect with the technology community

Stay ahead of the curve
This Year's Speakers
Agenda
Thursday 30th November, 2023 | In-Person Summit
Networking & Coffee
Summit Overview & Welcome
- Ryan Skinner, Research Director, Net Zero & Climate Risk, Verdantix
Towards Reclaiming The Climate Change Narrative
- Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Virgin Media O2
COP28 comes at a decisive moment for international climate action. Temperature records are being repeatedly broken and climate impacts felt in unprecedented wildfires, floods, storms and droughts worldwide. COP28 presents a critical opportunity to put the world on a more sustainable path, and businesses have a substantial convening power that galvanises around a shared vision of the planet we want to live in.
Transition Pathways: The Roadmap to Net Zero
- Ryan Skinner, Research Director, Net Zero & Climate Risk, Verdantix
- Maria Alegre, Global Stakeholder Relations Director, Ball Corporation
- Sian Cooke, Head of Sustainable Business, Bioregional
- John Knights, Head of Services, Global Reporting Initiative
With increased stakeholder pressures and reporting frameworks such as the TCFD now mandatory, it is essential for businesses to set net zero targets and disclose accurate and transparent information
about their transition strategies. Whilst moral arguments are clear, these plans also need to provide financial benefits to get shareholders on-board. Join this panel discussion to hear from sustainability
leaders on how they are championing, and implementing, transition strategies throughout their, and others, organisations.
In this session you will learn about:
- How businesses can build trust and credibility inside and outside their organisation
- The importance of monitoring and reporting in a transparent manner
- The opportunities and challenges associated with implementing a comprehensive action plan
- Best practices and lessons learned
- Disclosure frameworks and their effects on businesses
Digital Systems for Financed Emissions: Insights for Financial Institutions and Listed Equities
- Sarah Bloch, Senior Manager of Advisory Services, Verdantix
Financed emissions account for at least 90% of the GHG emissions of asset managers, banks, pension funds and private equity firms. Financial data providers now offer increasingly sophisticated digital solutions to help financial institutions calculate their financed emissions across different asset classes. During this session, Verdantix Senior Manager, Sarah Bloch will explain the implications for fund managers as well as for the companies they invest in as investors and lenders garner greater insight into emissions intensity and net zero metrics.
Verdantix Green Quadrant: Enterprise Carbon Management
- Alessandra Leggieri, Industry Analyst, Net Zero & Climate Risk, Verdantix
The enterprise carbon management software market is growing, driven by corporate voluntary commitments towards decarbonization and regulatory emissions reporting requirements. The landscape of carbon management software vendors is also evolving, with new and existing players developing their solutions to meet corporates' needs. Join this session, as Verdantix Industry Analyst, Alessandra Leggieri, unveils this year's Green Quadrant for Enterprise Carbon Management software and gives an overview of carbon management market trends.
Wellness Break & Networking
Overcoming the Business Case Challenge for Net Zero Buildings
- Claire Stephens, Research Director, Smart Buildings, Verdantix
- Yetunde Abdul, Head of Climate Action, UK Green Building Council
- Maria Spyrou, Associate Director, Sustainability, Turner & Townsend
- Sue Riddlestone, Chief Executive & Co-Founder, Bioregional
Buildings account for approximately 40% of worldwide carbon emissions, with 29% released in operation and 11% embodied in their construction. There is an urgent need to harness energy efficient technologies
and materials to ensure a sustainable future for all industries. But questions remain, such as how feasible are truly net zero buildings, and the challenges with acquiring funding (in 2021, SMEs
made up 99% of the UK private sector, but can these organisations afford to retrofit their buildings?), and regulatory issues to consider.
Join experts from construction consultancies, and building associations to hear about:
- The challenges surrounding retrofitting existing buildings and the associated costs
- Case studies from those actively involved in transforming buildings for a net zero future
- The actual feasibility of net zero buildings, and how we can get there
- Updates from the regulatory side
Time to Switch? From Generic Carbon Offsets to Carbon Dioxide Removal
- Connor Taylor, Senior Analyst, Net Zero & Climate Risk, Verdantix
The drumbeat of negative publicity surrounding the Voluntary Carbon Market has impacted many corporate commitments to buying carbon offsets. Especially those generated by GHG emissions ‘avoidance’ projects. By contrast, an entirely new industry focused on GHG emissions ‘removals’ has sprung into life in the last 2 years. And corporate climate neutrality budgets have followed suit with the likes of BCG, JP Morgan and Microsoft cutting sizable cheques. Hear from Verdantix Senior Analyst, Connor Taylor who will present recent Verdantix research about the switch from generic offsets to removal credits.
Energy Management in Buildings: Leveraging Proven Technologies to Cut Costs & Slash Emissions
- Harry Wilson, Industry Analyst, Smart Buildings, Verdantix
Whether your firm is a real estate investor, facilities management provider or occupier there are a multitude of proven technologies available in the market to reduce energy costs and reduce associated emissions. However, the convoluted nature of the real estate market often makes implementing technologies hard to achieve. Join this session, led by Verdantix Industry Analyst, Harry Wilson who will present his recent benchmark of energy management software and share a tech roadmap for the entire ecosystem of energy management technologies.
Managing Biodiversity Risk In The Era Of The TNFD
- Alice Saunders, Industry Analyst, Net Zero & Climate Risk, Verdantix
- Sam Bower, Head of Sustainability: Natural Environment, Balfour Beatty
- Jenni Ramos, Lawyer, Corporate/Finance and Biodiversity, Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative
Failures to price ecosystem services into business planning is aggravated by the interaction of climate change and biodiversity decline, creating compound risks for firms. Considering the $44 trillion
in economic value generation (as estimated by the World Economic Forum) at risk through the dependence of business on nature and related services, investors and other stakeholders are demanding organisations
make nature-related disclosures that can be utilised for investment decision making. Nature-related disclosures are already incorporated in the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and
Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, and traction in Europe and around the world is likely to increase following the release of the Taskforce for Nature-related Disclosures' finalised framework
in September.
During this session you will learn:
- What making TNFD-aligned disclosures will entail
- The importance of considering biodiversity, climate change, and risk holistically
- The inherent difficulties in trying to value nature
- How early movers have been approaching biodiversity data and environmental impact measurement
Best Practices for Carbon Management Digital Strategies and Technology Selection
- Stuart Neumann, Vice President, Advisory Services, Verdantix
This session will draw on the expertise of the Verdantix Advisory team, which has helped leadership teams at some of the world's largest companies develop and execute their digital strategies. During this session we will share best practices in technology selection to help you identify a best-fit carbon management solution - as well as outlining some of the pitfalls that can lead to delays and reduced business value.
Benchmarking for Better Climate Performance
- Niraj Saraf, Director, Advisory Services, Verdantix
Niraj will share some insights from our recently launched Climate Benchmark, and explain how tool and programme can make a vital difference to corporate climate strategy
Networking & Lunch
Morning Overview & Welcome Back
- Ryan Skinner, Research Director, Net Zero & Climate Risk, Verdantix
Managing Financed Emissions
- Rodolphe d'Arjuzon, Managing Director & Head of Research, Verdantix
- Rahel Haque, Vice President, Climate & ESG Capital Markets, NatWest Group
- Saad Malik, Sustainability Director, Business & Commercial Banking, Lloyds Banking Group
Financial institutions play a critical role in leading the global climate transition. Quantifying and managing financed emissions is critical in allowing institutions to manage regulated disclosures,
appease stakeholders, and reduce their own climate impact. But how do these organisations actually drive down emissions across their clients and subsequently their own portfolios?
Join this session to hear about:
- How can new standards be implemented in practise
- The importance of transparent reporting
- Incentives and tactics to drive sustainable loaning
Best Practice Workshop: Towards Digital Sustainability
- Renée Lenore, Associate Director, Product Management, Wolters Kluwer
- Alessandra Leggieri, Industry Analyst, Net Zero & Climate Risk, Verdantix
Extreme Weather, El Niño and Climate Tipping Points: Q&A with a Leading Climate Scientist
- Dr. Katelyn Johnson, Principal Analyst, Climate Risk, Verdantix
- Ryan Skinner, Research Director, Net Zero & Climate Risk, Verdantix
In 2023, all regions of the world were negatively impacted by extreme weather events caused by anthropogenic climate change and the start of the naturally-occurring El Niño global weather pattern. The World Meteorological Organization predicted that there is a 60% chance that global temperatures will be at least 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in one year between 2023 and 2027. Join this best practices discussion with Verdantix Principal Analyst and ex-Antarctic climate researcher Dr Katelyn Johnson to have your questions answered.
Best Practice Workshop: Using Technology to Manage Sustainability Performance and ESG Disclosure
- Lily Turnbull, Industry Analyst, ESG & Sustainability, Verdantix
- Kevin O'Neill, Leader, Sustainability & ESG Digital Solutions, Benchmark Gensuite
- Peter Walsh, ESG Market Strategy and Partnerships, Benchmark Gensuite
Wellness Break & Networking
Carbon Management Strategies To Aid Decarbonisation
- Connor Taylor, Senior Analyst, Net Zero & Climate Risk, Verdantix
- Miles Durrant, Head of Environment & Climate Strategy, Royal Mail
- Hannah Greenaway, Sustainability Reporting Manager, The Crown Estate
- David Wynn, Director, Product Marketing - Sustainability, Cority
The 2023 Verdantix Net Zero global corporate survey revealed that carbon data quality is at the top of digital priorities for new investments, and with major regulations coming into play in 2024, organisations
are under increasing pressure to collect, manage and report high quality carbon data in a timely manner. Whilst many companies have successful existing reporting initiatives for Scopes 1 & 2,
huge challenges exist surrounding Scope 3 data collection and reporting. So how do sustainability professionals incorporate effective tools and methods into their organisation's strategy to ensure
efficiency and transparency?
In this session, our panellists will discuss:
- Examples of successful reporting plans within decarbonisation strategies
- How to mitigate common data collection and quality challenges when fulfilling carbon emissions reporting requirements
- Lessons learned in establishing Scope 1 & 2 reporting strategies
- How to tackle the complexities associated with Scope 3 reporting
ESG – From Compliance To Competitive Advantage
- Robert Davis, Vice President, Product Management, Wolters Kluwer

Let’s face it. Reporting on ESG metrics with the same rigor as financial metrics isn’t a walk in the park. In the recent years, ESG has evolved from a reputational concern to a critical compliance imperative and a potential competitive advantage. However, navigating the multitude of frameworks, regulations, and expectations from investors, employees, and stakeholders can be frustrating and confusing. Fortunately, the right technology can bring clarity to this complexity. By leveraging technology, your organization can seamlessly collect, report, analyze, and assure the accuracy of your financial and non-financial data. This data will come from everywhere in the organization and IT systems will have to go through a digital transformation to mitigate the risks of non-compliance. Join us for an enlightening session with Rob Davis, Vice President of Product Management at Wolters Kluwer, as he equips you with the knowledge and readiness to navigate the required technology transformation that will help unravel the challenges of ESG reporting. Get ready to embrace the power of technology and conquer the challenges of ESG with confidence.
Battered And Bruised: Next Steps For The Voluntary Carbon Market
- Stuart Neumann, Vice President, Advisory Services, Verdantix
- Laura Hanning, (Formerly) Head of Carbon, Proman
- Adrian Rimmer, Director, Sustainable Finance, London Stock Exchange Group
2023 has been a year of unexpected turbulence for the voluntary carbon credit market. Leading standard setters have come under fire, raising questions about the validity of offset projects and carbon credits as a whole. Yet investment continues to flow into the carbon markets, and the launch of The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) has set the stage for a new paradigm for carbon offsetting. Join this discussion session to hear from those actively involved in the carbon market on:
- When and how the market is best placed to help businesses reach emission targets
- Realigning carbon credits with climate action
- The issues surrounding credit validity
- What firms are doing to tackle these doubts
Day Summary & Thank You
- Ryan Skinner, Research Director, Net Zero & Climate Risk, Verdantix
Climate Innovation Awards with Drinks

Etc.Venues 133 Houndsditch
The Verdantix summit will be hosted at Etc.Venues 133 Houndsditch. Located near Liverpool Street and Aldgate station, 133 Houndsditch features a state-of-the-art conference and exhibition space.
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