AGENDA: Conference "Frankly Speaking on Sustainability & Competitiveness"

The EU Commission is set to unveil its proposals for changing the CSRD, CSDDD and Taxonomy in February as part of an Omnibus package. However, negotiations remain secretive and shrouded in speculation. While Germany is aggressively lobbying to unravel the CSRD, and subsequently challenging the entire EU ESG agenda, tens of thousands of EU companies have already invested in implementation and do not know what to expect.

Sustainability leaders are warning against the loss of trust and pointing out the critical role that these legislation have for sustainability, capital markets and EU businesses success.

Is the EU ESG framework a scapegoat or the culprit of the European and German economic slowdown? What has the sudden 180˚ turn on sustainability, and the economic problems, have to do with betting on cheap Russian gas and the Chinese market in the past decades? And why do the BRICS call EU ESG laws ‘discriminatory protectionist measures under pretext of environmental concerns’ that distort competition?

When? 30.01.2025, 2pm - 6pm CET

Where? Residence Palace (Brussels) and online

Save your spot: Register now

At our conference, key experts and business representatives will tackle the above pressing questions with leading experts and businesses, as well as:

• What to expect from the Omnibus and what it means for companies’ efforts on CSRD, Taxonomy and CSDDD implementation
• How we can sensibly streamline EU ESG reporting legislation so it helps European business and it is not perceived as a burden
• What is the role of the EU sustainability framework for fostering a level playing field, sovereignty and EU resilience

See the full agenda linked below.

Speakers include:

• Lara Wolters, Member of the European Parliament (S&D, NL)
• Diane Mievis, Director EU Public Policy at CISCO
• Heather Grabbe, Senior Fellow at Bruegel, Visiting Professor at UCL
• Eric de Deckere, Director Sustainability at Cefic
• Niels Strange Peulicke-Andersen, Head of ESG Accounting at Ørsted
• Iva Prošková, Sustainability & System Quality Manager at Severotisk
• Kristian Koktvedgaard, Head of VAT at the Confederation of Danish Industries
• Filip Gregor, Head of Responsible Companies at Frank Bold
• Rachel Davis, Vice President and Co-Founder of Shift
• Richard Howitt, Senior Advisor and Podcast Host at Frank Bold

Please note: If you cannot join us in person, we encourage you to register as an online participant to receive access to the live stream.

Confirmation emails for all attendees will be sent closer to the conference date.

We look forward to welcoming you to this important discussion. If you have any question, please get in touch with Sarah Chenoun, Communications Officer, at sarah.chenoun@frankbold.org.