Agenda

DOWNLOADABLE PRESENTATIONS

Luke Fletcher, Partner, Bates Wells
Harriet Lamb, CEO, Ashden

AGENDA

11:45 – 12:55: Registration and networking lunch 

12:55 – 13:00: Chair’s opening remarks
Lauren Weymouth, Editor, Charity Times

13:00 – 13:30: Opening keynote speaker
Harriet Lamb, CEO, Ashden

The climate emergency changes everything. With just ten years to avert climate disaster, charities could be at the forefront, supporting solutions that exist and which have the power to create a fairer society. Drawing on sobering facts and personal experiences, Ashden CEO Harriet Lamb outlines how charities can become champions of climate action.

13:30 – 13:55: Getting climate change on the board agenda – the governance perspective
John Williams, Vice Chair, Association of Chairs

In this session, John will explore how climate change has become everyone’s issue, and the implications for charity leaders 
- What’s climate change to do with my charity?
- Have Extinction Rebellion and Greta Thunberg changed the rules?
- How to persuade and challenge your board
- The (dis)investment dilemma
- The importance of long-term thinking 
- The case for moral leadership.

13:55 – 14:25: To divest or not to divest, that is the question…
Victoria Barron, Responsible Investment Analyst, Newton Investment Management

- How are trustees thinking about climate change?
- How is Newton thinking about climate change?
- What are the implications of divesting from fossil fuels as opposed to engaging with the oil and gas sector?

14:25 – 14:40: Coffee break

14:40 – 15:10: Engagement: the honest questions charity investors need to be asking 
Tania McLuckie, Specialist Charity Manager, Sarasin & Partners
Alexander True, Senior Associate Partner, Charities, Sarasin & Partners

- Why asset owners and managers have a critical role to play in addressing climate change
- The merits of an engagement approach rather than simple divestment
- What evidence is there to show engagement works?
- The risks associated with ‘greenwashing’ and how to avoid them
- What questions can charities ask managers to test conviction?

15:10 – 15:40: What are trustees’ legal duties in dealing with climate change risks?
Luke Fletcher, Partner, Bates Wells

- What are trustees’ existing legal requirements with regards to responsible investment?
- Why are a coalition of leading charities seeking a new legal ruling on RI for charities?
- What difference could this ruling make for charity investments?
- What impacts could a ruling have on the collective effort to address and arrest climate change?

15:40 – 16:10: Reputational risk and opportunity: in conversation with a responsible charitable investor 
Lily Tomson, Head of Networks, ShareAction
Matthew Whittell, Head of Finance and Resources, John Ellerman Foundation

- Why could it be negligent not to consider climate change for your charity’s finances?
- How has John Ellerman Foundation taken action?
- What does reputation mean to charities – and how can networks such as the Charities Responsible Investment Network help?

16:10 – 16:35: Closing keynote speaker
Clara Goldsmith, Director, The Climate Coalition

Together we are stronger: How collaboration between charities can be a powerful force for change. There has never been a more important time for all sections of society to step up and address their role in the climate emergency. 2020 is the moment to do it, with concern for climate change at an all-time high and a landmark UN climate conference coming to the UK. The keynote will cover how charities can get involved, with practical steps on what they can do to tackle climate change beyond their investments.

16:35 – 16:40: Chair’s round-up

16:40: End of conference