This Monday, NOVA Green Lab hosted its 2nd Annual Conference, titled “O «E» em ESG e a Competitividade – Os Desafios da União Europeia nos Próximos Cinco Anos.” The event served as a powerful platform to examine and discuss the profound implications of recent EU legislation, particularly the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), on European industry and sustainability practices.
Held at the esteemed Abreu Advogados Auditorium in Lisbon, the conference brought together a diverse and engaged audience of legal experts, policymakers, corporate leaders, and academics. The discussions revolved around the EU’s legislative efforts to foster sustainable, transparent corporate practices, as well as the challenges and opportunities these new reporting and due diligence requirements present for businesses and policymakers. The panel examined not only the implementation strategies for these regulations but also the broader context of competitiveness in Europe, drawing insights from Mario Draghi’s influential report on the future of European competitiveness.
Opening
The conference was opened by the Dean of the Law Faculty, Prof. Margarida Lima Rego, the President of the Instituto do Conhecimento, Prof. Luís Barreto Xavier, and NOVA Green Lab Coordinator, Prof. Lucila de Almeida. The latter presented the milestones of the NOVA Green Lab in 2024, which will soon be published in our NOVA Green Lab annual report.
Dragui’s Report on the Challenges of Competitiveness
The first session was dedicated exclusively to the debate on the challenges imposed by Dragui’s report on the future of Europe on the package of legislation concerning the obligations of reporting and due diligence on companies. The topic was addressed by our two keynote speakers, Professor Jorge Vasconcelos and the MEP Lígia Pereira.
ESG and competitiveness
The second session was them followed by an informal panel discussing the potential impact of Dragui’s report on the ESG agenda.
Acknowledgements and Gratitude
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Abreu Advogados for graciously hosting us and providing a collaborative space that allowed for enriching exchanges of ideas. Special appreciation also goes to every attendee and speaker for their contributions — your presence and insights were essential in creating a truly engaging and impactful event.
With the European Union poised for significant changes in ESG practices, this conference reaffirmed NOVA Green Lab’s commitment to promoting innovative solutions and constructive dialogue in the environmental, energy, and climate law fields. We look forward to continuing this journey, advancing knowledge, and influencing policy as we face the challenges and opportunities in the years ahead.
Stay tuned as we prepare for future events and research initiatives to drive forward-thinking solutions for a sustainable and competitive Europe.
