The Swire ESG [Environmental, Social & Governance] Forum 2023 took place over three days in early November, with over 350 staff members from across the Group attending in person or online. The event highlighted the collective effort required across Swire businesses to achieve the Group's ambitious sustainability goals and drive long-term value creation, and aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between stakeholders.
Senior leaders from around the Swire Group, as well as external guest speakers, covered a wide range of topics that included emerging ESG risks, sustainable supply chains, climate justice, Scope 3 emissions [all indirect emissions (not included in Scope 2) that occur in the value chain of the reporting company, including both upstream and downstream emissions] and procurement, effective communication on SD matters, health & safety, and green financing opportunities, as well as updates on the Group's progress against the five strategic pillars of SwireTHRIVE.
John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited Chairman, Guy Bradley, delivered the opening remarks, while John Swire & Sons Limited Executive Director, James E. Hughes-Hallett, presented an overview of the parent company's progress on sustainability, and Mark Harper, Swire Pacific Group Head of Sustainability, facilitated a fireside chat with Swire Group Chairman, Barnaby Swire, highlighting the need for innovation and digitalisation as part of the SD strategy. Senior leaders from across Swire's operating companies also took part in panel discussions looking at industry-specific challenges and opportunities and how ESG is embedded into their business strategies.
As an event centred around ESG, care was taken to ensure the forum itself was carbon-neutral, with carbon offsets purchased through Cathay's Fly Greener programme.
(Left to right) HAECO Group Chief Executive Officer, Richard Sell, Swire Coca–Cola Managing Director Karen So and Swire Properties Chief Executive Tim Blackburn discuss challenges and opportunities in various industries.
Swire Group Chairman, Barnaby Swire (left) in a fireside chat with Mark Harper, Swire Pacific Group Head of Sustainability.
