Examining Corporate Board Oversight of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Matters

Corporate boards, executives, investors, and regulators are increasingly focused on the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters to corporate decision-making, enterprise risk management, and the ability for a corporation to withstand crisis. In response to this pressure, interest in ESG disclosure has grown, but regulators have been slow to act and the array of voluntary standards for sustainability reporting has expanded exponentially.

This program, taught by Rebecca Grapsas of Sidley Austin LLP, will provide an overview of fundamental ESG topics and the rapidly evolving ESG landscape that many corporations and their advisors are finding complex to understand and navigate. The program will discuss the board's role in oversight of ESG and provide related practical guidance.

This program is suitable for in-house counsel and outside counsel of companies in all industries, as well as board members.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify key ESG issues 

2. Discuss ESG landscape and changing expectations

3. Summarize the mandatory ESG disclosures for public companies, and voluntary disclosure standards

4. Review board oversight role as it relates to ESG

5. Provide practical guidance for boards with respect to ESG oversight