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Sustainable Companies: We Make it Happen

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Sustainable Companies: We Make it Happen This is the final conference of the Sustainable Companies Project (2010-2013), where we will present our reform proposals. Time and place: Dec 5, 2013 - Dec 6, 2013, Gamle Festsal, Karl Johansgate 47, Domus Academica Add to calendar Gamle Festsal, Faculty of Law Photo: UiO Gamle Festsal, Faculty of Law Photo: UiO Conference concept The aim of the Sustainable Companies Project (2010-2013) is to contribute to integrating environmental concerns better into the decision-making in companies, as one of the important jigsaw puzzles of sustainability. In an innovative approach, this project has had company law as its core, based on the hypothesis, which has been confirmed through our research, that environmental sustainability in the operation of companies cannot be effectively achieved unless the objective is properly integrated into company law and thereby into the internal workings of the company. At this conference, the results of the Sustainable Companies Project will be presented by SC team members from around the world. We invite other academics to contribute their reform proposals, and we invite policy-makers, business organisations, trade unions, NGOs, academics, students and members of the general public to join us in a discussion of how we can realise the enormous potential of business to contribute to sustainable development through practical, innovative and research-based reform proposals. To this end, we will have a mix of presentations and panel debates. Main topics of the conference Sustainable Companies: The Identified Barriers and Possibilities A brief presentation of the identified barriers and possibilities in core company law, in the regulation of groups, in accounting law and in financial market law. Companies and Corporate Governance A presentation of reform proposals on EU, US and national levels of core company law, notably on the purpose of the company, the role, competences and the duties of the company organs, and the regulation of groups. Topics include the duties of the board of directors, the interests of the company, employee involvement, life cycle analysis, risk management, due diligence and liability. Research on alternative corporate structures will also be presented. Companies and Reporting A presentation of reform proposals on reporting, accounting, auditing and transparency, including a discussion of what integrated reporting can be and a discussion of the latest innovations in international and national guidelines and codes. Shareholders and Financial Markets A presentation of reform proposals on the role of shareholders and the regulation of financial markets. Topics also include the role of state as shareholder and of sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors in general. Supportive Measures A presentation of reform proposals in areas such as insolvency law and public procurement law, which may support and encourage environmental sustainability in company decision-making. Confirmed speakers include Professor Hans Petter Graver (Oslo, Norway), Professor Andrew Johnston (Sheffield, UK), Associate Professor Jianbo Lou (Peking, China), Professor Charlotte Villiers (Bristol, UK), Professor Celia Taylor (Denver, USA), Professor Gudula Deipenbrock (Berlin, Germany), Associate Professor Tineke Lambooy (Utrecht, The Netherlands), Associate Professor Surya Deva (Hong Kong, China), Associate Professor Lorraine Talbot (Warwick, UK), Professor Idoya Ferrero Ferrero (Jaume, Spain), Professor Karsten Engig Sørensen (Aarhus, Denmark), Dr. Priscilla Schwartz (London, UK), PhD student Carol Liao (Vancouver, Canada) and Professor Beate Sjåfjell (Oslo). Registration fee The registration fee at NOK 750 (approx. EURO 94) with a reduced price of NOK 250 (approx. EURO 31) for students covers conference material including access to all working papers to be presented at the conference, lunch both days and a drinks reception after the second conference day. For registration and E-pay. Members of the Sustainable Companies Project and conference speakers do not need to pay the conference fee, but have to register for the Conference here. Organizer Sustainable Companies Project Published Sep 12, 2011 11:08 AM - Last modified Oct 1, 2013 01:57 PM