Driving Sustainability Forward: A Recap on a Women Led Panel Discussion

Events

Driving Sustainability Forward: A Recap on a Women Led Panel Discussion

October 30, 2023

Images courtesy of Eric Novak: Women in Sustainability Canada (WISC) hosted its first in-person event at the DIALOG Toronto studio, inviting a panel of female sustainability professionals to speak on climate reporting and voluntary disclosures.

On Wednesday, October 25, DIALOG’s Toronto studio opened its doors for a thought-provoking, all-female panel discussion titled “Charting a Path to Radical Transparency: What Lies Ahead?”, hosted alongside Seneca Polytechnic Business, B Corporation Local Ontario, and Women in Sustainability Canada (WISC).

Led by sustainability experts Alexandra Service, climate change specialist, Town of Caledon; Navdeep Rai, senior manager, ESG Integration and Reporting, Loblaw Companies Ltd.; Lauren O’Malley, sustainability specialist, Aecon Group Inc.; Shayla Meyer, senior consultant, Junxion Strategy; and moderated by Anureet Kaur, sustainability manager, Softchoice, this discussion delved into the evolving landscape of climate reporting and disclosures, emphasizing the shift toward consolidating voluntary disclosures.

Sustainability expert panelists: Anureet Kaur, Navdeep Rai, Lauren O’Malley, Shayla Meyer, and Alexandra Service.

The audience included DIALOGers, current students and graduates from the Seneca Business programs, Seneca Business faculty members, members from B-Local Ontario and other sustainability professionals.

Panelists brought their unique experiences and insights from the public sector, corporate sector, construction, and consulting to the table. They highlighted the challenges faced by small businesses, particularly those falling under larger organizations’ scope three emissions, necessitating strategic balance between business goals and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) accountability. Additionally, the conversation explored how municipalities like the Town of Caledon are integrating climate adaptation and resilience strategies into their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting mechanisms, exemplifying initiatives that contribute to building climate-friendly communities and supporting businesses in their sustainability endeavours.

The discussion highlighted the pressing need for companies worldwide to address modern slavery in their supply chains. Loblaws and Aecon, representing vulnerable sectors like retail and construction, shared insights on their strategies for combating this issue, emphasizing the crucial role of legal and procurement teams in these efforts. Additionally, the conversation underscored the role of B Corp Assessments in enhancing ethical supply chain policies.

The panel discussion concluded on a positive note as participants shared recent developments and initiatives that instilled optimism about the future of sustainability. These inspiring stories highlighted tangible progress, innovative solutions, and collaborative efforts that are driving positive change, countering climate anxiety, and fostering a more sustainable future.

The event was a resounding celebration of accomplished women in sustainability, but what truly made it extraordinary was the diverse and enthusiastic audience. Witnessing both women and men coming together to support, celebrate, and empower women experts in the field was truly inspiring. It served as a powerful testament to the strength of collaboration, bringing together the collective efforts of B-Local Ontario, DIALOG, Seneca, and WISC.

—Anushka Karmalkar, sustainability specialist, DIALOG, Network Founder, Women in Sustainability Canada

This event served as a catalyst for driving forward the principles of radical transparency and we’re thrilled to have hosted professionals from diverse sectors within sustainability to share experiences and explore potential partnerships.