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How the law department can unlock your ESG strategy

In this episode of EY Tax and Law in Focus, we explore how companies can pivot from ESG messaging and commitments to adherence to new laws, implementation and compliance.

Related topics Law Tax

Podcast host Susannah Streeter welcomes Paula Hogéus, EY Global Labor and Employment Law Leader and Nordics Law Leader and Kasia Klaczynska Lewis, Partner, Law, Ernst & Young Law Tałasiewicz, Zakrzewska i Wspólnicy spółka. Together they discuss how companies can further their sustainability efforts and how the law department is often the key to unlocking solutions.

EY research shows that two-thirds of the public believe CEOs should lead on ESG change, rather than governments. In addition, 42% of consumers say they will stop buying from companies that act in a socially or environmentally inappropriate manner.

And more than three-quarters of investors are conducting structured ESG evaluations of target companies. Business leaders have made multi-billion dollar promises about environmental targets and progress on social and governance issues. Successive COP summits have made similar green commitments, not least pledging to invest up to US$6 trillion annually in renewable energy until 2030.

Delivering on these promises can’t come a moment too soon, given that the landscape already is shifting fast. New laws necessitating regulatory compliance and going far beyond current voluntary commitments are arriving.

In this episode of Tax and Law in Focus, our panel of law leaders discuss the full impact of these challenges across environmental and social issues and how law departments should adjust and deal with this increasingly complex environment.

Key takeaways

  • Anticipating and addressing rapidly evolving regulatory requirements, social issues and business practices while maintaining a focus on core business goals needs more input from general counsel and their teams.
  • Companies do not yet fully understand the potential impact of the EU Green Deal. 
  • Prepare for compliance with legislation on areas such as equal pay, discrimination and health and safety.

For your convenience, full text transcript of this podcast is also available. Read the transcript.

Presenters

Photographic portrait of Susannah Streeter
Susannah Streeter
International broadcaster and financial analyst

Podcast

Episode 11

Duration 31m 20s

In this series

Series overview
(Event List - Manual)

How to navigate the sustainability tax landscape

In this episode of EY Tax & Law in Focus we explore why the tax function is particularly well-placed to shape sustainable business practise and policy.
Podcast

Episode 10

Duration
41m 40s

Presenters

Susannah Streeter

International broadcaster and financial analyst

How a holistic approach elevated Dow’s tax function

This episode of Tax and Law in Focus explores the transformation journey of Dow Chemical Company’s tax function from "black box" to established strategic partner
Podcast

Episode 9

Duration
43m 21s

Presenters

Susannah Streeter

International broadcaster and financial analyst

How the metaverse economy will affect – and be affected by tax

In this episode of EY Tax & Law in Focus, we explore how the metaverse will nurture a blossoming layer of e-commerce and why companies must adapt to minimize tax risk
Podcast

Episode 8

Duration
45m 00s

Presenters

Susannah Streeter

International broadcaster and financial analyst

How tax incentives are being offered around the world

This episode of Tax and Law in Focus explores the complex and expanding universe of government incentives, with three EY thought leaders explaining how multinational companies can navigate it.
Podcast

Episode 7

Duration
39m 56s

Presenters

Susannah Streeter

International broadcaster and financial analyst

How unilateral digital services taxes put global tax reforms in motion

This episode of Tax and Law in Focus explores how the proliferation of DSTs has helped fast-track BEPS 2.0, triggering the biggest shake-up in international taxation for decades.
Podcast

Episode 6

Duration
33m 15s

Presenters

Susannah Streeter

International broadcaster and financial analyst

How businesses can cope with rising tax controversy around the world

This episode of Tax and Law in Focus explores the rising tide of tax risk and controversy, and three EY thought leaders explain how multinational companies can cope
Podcast

Episode 5

Duration
35m 40s

Presenters

Susannah Streeter

International broadcaster and financial analyst

How tax authorities are more empowered – and possibly more empathetic

In “Tax and Law In Focus,” Simon Hobbs asks EY’s Kate Barton and Dr. Tassu Shervani from the SMU Cox School of Business, about the evolution of tax authorities.
Podcast

Episode 4

Duration
40m 04s

How one acquisition sparked a co-sourced tax revolution

Simon Hobbs interviews Todd Davis, Discovery’s Senior Tax Counsel, and Alan Luchs, EY Global Media and Entertainment Tax Leader, about the origins – and value – of Discovery’s cutting-edge tax function.
Podcast

Episode 3

Duration
40m 01s