We are pleased to announce that Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative (CCLI) lawyer Sarah Hill-Smith will be speaking at The NED Climate Governance Workshops in Paris on 24 April 2025 at the session “Navigating Legal Duties & Sustainability in an Era of Divergence and Disruption.”

Organised in collaboration with Chapter Zero France and ChangeNOW 2025, this invitation-only event brings together the largest annual gathering of climate-focused non-executive directors (NEDs) globally. Timed to mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, it is designed to equip board members with the knowledge and strategies needed to address the most urgent environmental and governance challenges of our time.

The session will feature:

• Sarah Hill-Smith, Lawyer (Corporate/Finance and Climate Change) – The Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative
• Oliver Dudok van Heel, Head of Client Sustainability and Environment – Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
• Nathalie Dogniez, Chair – The European Sustainable Investment Forum (Eurosif)

The session will:

• Unpack the latest developments in the sustainability regulatory landscape, focusing on key issues such as the Omnibus legislation, US policy shifts, and the growing anti-ESG backlash. The session will address why these changes matter for NEDs and the potential risks they pose.
• Clarify the legal duties of directors in relation to climate and nature risks, with a focus on how these obligations are evolving amid regulatory uncertainty. The session will explore the practical implications of regulatory challenges on director responsibilities.
• Facilitate collaborative discussions, offering NEDs the chance to share best practices, discuss emerging challenges, and develop strategic responses. Topics will include:
  • ➤ Assessing climate-related risks and opportunities
  • ➤ Balancing legal duties with regulatory compliance and business growth
  • ➤ Addressing barriers to meaningful climate action

CCLI’s Klara Iochem will also serve as rapporteur for the session.

This session is part of a broader initiative led by the Climate Governance Initiative, launched in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. With local Chapters in 33 countries and a presence in over 70, the network reaches more than 100,000 board directors, supporting them in embedding Paris-aligned climate transition strategies into corporate governance.

Key highlights of the programme include:

• 23 April – Welcome Cocktail hosted by CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats
• 24 April – Full-day workshops at KPMG France, covering:
  • Transition planning
  • AI and climate change
  • Scenario planning
  • Directors’ duties
  • Climate challenges in the finance sector
  • Integrating climate into the audit process
• 24 April – Post-workshop drinks and keynote, hosted by Interparfums and sponsored by the Climate Governance Initiative
• 25 April – Getting Your Board on Board at ChangeNOW 2025 at the Grand Palais (RMN), featuring panel discussions led by global business and thought leaders

More information is available at: nedclimategovernance.com