Climate and Sustainability: Risks and Opportunities

As climate change intensifies, forward-thinking companies are seizing this moment to consider not only enterprise risks but also opportunities for growth, resiliency, and competitive repositioning with the goal of taking a “holistic” approach. The risks and disruptions caused by climate change need to be well understood by the board. This effort in some cases has gone beyond simply risk mitigation, but has resulted in businesses evaluating often-overlooked areas and uncovering efficiencies that save costs while bolstering long-term sustainability.
 
For many, the journey begins with risk mitigation and progresses to strategic action: implementing energy-saving measures, reducing operational inefficiencies, and investing in innovative climate technologies. These actions in some situations not only reduce carbon emissions but also unlock long-term value and growth opportunities. For others, the focus is on building resiliency—a sustainable business model capable of thriving amid uncertainty.
 
This virtual session on Feb. 6, 2025, brought together a distinguished panel, including two sitting public company board directors and a Chief Sustainability Officer, to discuss what board directors need to understand about climate strategies. Attendees gained insights on what questions to ask of their management teams and how to evaluate their company's sustainability roadmap.

Speakers

Former Executive Vice President, Linde

Anne Roby

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Dr. Anne Roby is an experienced C-suite executive who has held a broad range of leadership roles. Anne served as executive vice president at Linde, the world’s leading industrial gases company, until her retirement in 2020…

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Group Vice President, Carbon Neutrality and Regulatory Affairs, Toyota Motor North America

Tom Stricker

Tom Stricker is group vice president of Carbon Neutrality and Regulatory Affairs for Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). He is responsible for Toyota’s U.S-based environmental sustainability strategy and projects, motor vehicle safety and environmental regulations, operations environmental regulations, and enterprise chemical management…

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Advisory Partner at Bain & Company

Phyllis Yale

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Phyllis Yale currently serves on the boards of Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, DaVita Healthcare (NYSE: DVA), and Aledade, Inc. Previously she chaired the boards of Kindred Healthcare, Inc (NYSE: KND) and Blue Cross, and served on the boards of privately-held National Surgical Hospitals…

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Moderator

Co-leader of ESG and Climate Change Practices, Sidley Austin LLP

Heather Palmer

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Heather Palmer is a co-leader of Sidley’s global ESG and climate change practices. She provides strategic advice to clients on a broad range of ESG issues and related risks...

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Read the program summary here.

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You can watch the recording of this event below.