Legal Professionals Explore Corporate Sustainability Strategies
The recent professional encounters hosted by the Aranzadi LA LEY Foundation and Esade Law School on April 25 delved into the role of lawyers in corporate sustainability strategies. The event featured speakers including Elena Herrero Visairas, ESG Counsel at Eversheds – Sutherland, Ignacio Mendoza, Legal Director at Heineken Spain, and David Velázquez, Director of the Master’s Degree in Law at Esade Law School.
Moderated by Cristina Sancho, President of the Aranzadi LA LEY Foundation, and Eugenia Navarro, Professor of Strategy and Innovation at Esade Law School, the discussion focused on best practices for integrating sustainability strategies into daily business operations and the role of legal professionals in this integration.
The prominence of sustainability as a competitive advantage for businesses was emphasized throughout the conversation. Sancho noted, “Sustainability is gaining increasing prominence, evident in economic headlines, and can provide a competitive edge to businesses. It’s not just about ethical business practices; it’s about long-term thinking and attractiveness to key stakeholders like investors, talent, and customers.”
Navarro highlighted how sustainability drives innovation and efficiency within legal departments. “Adopting sustainable practices forces legal departments and firms to rethink processes and find smarter ways to operate,” she explained.
The concept of sustainable legal counsel poses a novel challenge for legal professionals. Herrero – Visairas stressed the need to tailor sustainable counsel to specific industry characteristics. “Sustainable legal advice must cover environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions, with each sector requiring nuanced prioritization,” she noted.
Mendoza emphasized the importance of transparency and governance in sustainability strategies and the role of legal departments in effective communication to enhance consumer understanding.
Regarding education and navigating complex regulations, Velázquez discussed the paradigm shift toward stringent legal frameworks and the university’s role in promoting sustainable practices amid evolving legislation.
The panel also addressed the challenges of integrating sustainability into corporate culture and the necessity for legal departments to collaborate with sustainability experts to navigate technological and legal complexities associated with sustainability initiatives.
In summary, the professional encounters underscored the evolving role of legal professionals in driving corporate sustainability agendas and the imperative to adapt legal practices to meet the demands of a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
