Achieving a company’s sustainability targets – whether science-based net zero targets, living wage accreditation, or wider environmental and societal aims – cannot be accomplished by one person or even one team. Sustainability is complex and requires consideration of a multitude of factors across the business, supply chain, and whole economy. Sustainability professionals are increasingly struggling to keep up with all the demands that the role requires, including emissions reductions, compliance and reporting, stakeholder engagement, innovation, and much more. However, sustainability within many companies currently operates within a silo without active engagement from other relevant functional areas in the business.

For sustainability to be truly integrated across the business, all core functions must be involved in helping the company achieve its sustainability objectives. This means that, at the very least, those working in key functions should have a fundamental understanding of sustainability and how their role impacts and contributes to company goals. This may include considerations around the Sustainable Development Goals, net zero and decarbonisation, diversity & inclusion, nature and biodiversity, resource use, just transition, human rights, anti-corruption, sustainable supply chains, and more.

Increasingly, embedding sustainability into business development (BD) is important because BD shapes the deals, partnerships, and revenue that a company will carry for years. Many clients, investors, and regulators now treat sustainability criteria as a baseline requirement, so a lack of understanding and integration poses the risk of losing pitches and contracts, facing higher costs of capital, or inheriting legal and reputational liabilities. Conversely, BD teams with sustainability literacy can spot new markets, i.e., clean energy, circular economy, nature-based solutions, etc., that competitors may miss. In short, integrating sustainability within business development turns compliance into a source of competitive advantage, rather than a costly afterthought. For this reason, key themes this event will explore include: For this reason, key themes this event will explore include:

• Winning new business & requests for proposals (RFPs)
• Value proposition & differentiation
• Client/partner due diligence
• New market & product opportunities
• Risk-management 
• Regulatory & reporting drivers
• Investor and stakeholder expectations
• Long-term relationship building

Sustainability professionals are requested to invite a colleague from the business development function and attend alongside them to facilitate discussions on the day. For this reason, each attendee must register 2 participants. This event is especially useful for those who are new to ESG, companies who have not yet established cross-functional processes, or for colleagues who have not worked cross-functionally before. Please note this event is open to UN Global Compact Network UK members only and registration is subject to approval.

This event series is generously supported by our members Clyde & Co.