Business sustainability, under debate at the 1st International Conference on ESG organised by Comillas

The Universidad Pontificia Comillas hosted the "1st International Conference on Sustainability: ESG parameters in the European Union for a sustainable business context". This event brought together experts, academics and legal and business professionals to reflect for two days on the challenges and opportunities posed by the current ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) regulations, in the current geopolitical, legal and economic environment.

The conference was inaugurated by Mariano Ventosa, Vice-Rector for Research, Teaching Staff and Artificial Intelligence at Comillas, and by Carlos Rueda, Senior Partner of the law firm Gómez - Acebo & Pombo. At the opening, Ventosa recalled Comillas' commitment to generating a positive social impact on society and highlighted the participation of top-level speakers, and the inter-university participation. Carlos Rueda highlighted the critical and relevant moment in which the congress was held: "we have a scenario on both sides of the Atlantic that arouses great interest to see where the issue of sustainability is heading", said Rueda, referring to the recent election of Trump as president of the United States and the vision that he has on this type of policy. Precisely against this backdrop, the lawyer acknowledged a question: "Where will all this lead us? This congress will show where ESG policies are heading".

The inaugural conference was given by Irene Correas, General Director  for Self-Employed and Entrepreneurship of the Community of Madrid, who also warned against the risk of ideologising the concept of sustainability. She advocated "sustainability without dogmas" and a more plural and technical approach to the major climate and social challenges. "This is not an ideological question," said Correas.

This was followed by six round tables on various topics related to ESG criteria, in which a total of 23 speakers took part, as well as the subsequent debate in each of them, between the public and the speakers.

The congress was closed by the two co-directors of the Chair, Ana Martínez-Pina and Cecilio Molina, as well as by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Abel Veiga. In general terms, they all valued it as "very enriching for both participants and attendees" and highlighted the transversality and importance of sustainability policies, which reinforce the activity of the Chair, and this first congress serves as a spur for future scientific, academic and professional conferences and meetings.