Green Horizons 2024: Navigating the New Climate Economy

The involvement of business in addressing climate change has dramatically increased over the years as more leaders choose to enthusiastically jump in rather than stand on the sidelines ignoring it. That latter position is becoming increasingly unfeasible for both the ‘big end of town’ and those in their value chain.

This year, expect climate change to climb higher in your list of management priorities as the landscape changes to include increasing numbers of company net zero commitments as well as mandatory climate reporting kicking off here in Australia.

Join us as we turn these changes into technical and legal opportunities for your business. Net zero business advisor Nick Palousis and ESG lawyer Emma Peters will share with you the practical ways that businesses can support their value chains with new mandatory reporting requirements as well as how this aligns with increasing consumer demand for sustainable goods and services.

Join Nick and Emma, and sustainability leaders from Thomas Foods and Eldercare as they share the ‘light bulb moments’, when it becomes no longer possible to ignore the business drivers to use their resources more effectively. It doesn’t require a ‘hand on heart’ deeply green philosophical moment, just a solid business mindset.

About the Presenters

Nick Palousis, Net Zero Business Advisor | 2XE

Nick is an engineer, CEO, entrepreneur and proud father of three daughters. As the Founder and CEO for 2XE, Nick has spent 20 years working with over 1000 businesses and governments to help them pursue ESG and net zero emissions with the best possible holistic return on investment. He has worked with clients across almost every major industry and government sector, and currently works with some of Australia’s most recognised brands.

Nick has spearheaded 2XE’s rapid growth as a highly-regarded Australian ESG and net zero consulting firm, with an expanding footprint in New Zealand, Canada, US and Switzerland.

Emma Peters, Director | ESG Group, Cowell Clarke Lawyers

Emma is a visionary ESG specialist lawyer, whose expertise and innovative approaches make her an invaluable asset to businesses navigating the evolving landscape of corporate responsibility and compliance. Her blend of practical experience and deep legal acumen positions her as a leader in her field, dedicated to fostering responsible and sustainable business practices across the globe.

Emma’s speciality relates to compliance and strategy pertaining to environment, social and governance matters with expertise regarding modern slavery compliance, bribery and corruption, whistleblowing and sustainability. She dedicates her practice to advising entities on implementing systems and process including policies procedures and conducting investigations.

With experience as in-house legal counsel, Emma has a real-world understanding of businesses operating on a global scale and the regulatory, compliance and legal framework associated with international operations.

Click here to read more about Emma Peters

Frances Carter, Group Sustainability Advisor | Thomas Foods International

Frances is the Group Sustainability Advisor for Thomas Foods International. She is responsible for the strategic direction of the global entity’s sustainability across numerous areas, including GHG emission management, decarbonisation, circular economy, biodiversity and deforestation, modern slavery, and Australian and international reporting requirements.

Prior to TFI, Frances was Director of Asia Pacific for Conservation Capital where she engaged on numerous large-scale projects involving conservation area business planning, innovative natural capital financing and sustainable natural resource management in Asia, Africa and South America. She worked with a broad range of clients to create and protect resilient natural landscapes that support biodiversity, communities, and enterprise.

Frances has also spent over ten years as a senior Chartered Accountant in auditing, agriculture, banking and funds management, and international development. In addition to her CA qualification, she has two international Masters' degrees: Master of Science (Sustainability Management) from Columbia University (New York City), and a Master of International Business Administration from IE Business School (Madrid).

Scott Morgan, Corporate Services Executive | Eldercare

Scott is Corporate Services Executive with Eldercare, a South Australia based aged care provider who operates aged care homes and retirement villages across more than 20 locations.

His role at Eldercare encompasses the Finance, Property, IT, Procurement and Retirement Village functions and therefore naturally his role has a heavy involvement in ESG type matters.

Scott has recently played a key role in developing and implementing Eldercare’s Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy and Action Plan including the completion of the calculation of the organisations greenhouse emissions boundary.

A finance professional and Fellow of Chartered Accountants (ANZ) he has previously worked in senior leadership roles in the manufacturing, agribusiness and recycling sectors. Scott brings a practical perspective to the challenges within a business to evolve with the demands of the new climate economy.