Screenshot of Manish speaking at the 2023 ESG Global Leaders Conference 

The 2023 ESG Global Leaders Conference was held in Shanghai on September 13-15. The annual event stands as the most prestigious ESG gathering in China, drawing the highest level of attention and participation in the industry. Speakers included esteemed experts and scholars, and leaders from international organization and businesses. See conference agenda here. 

Recognizing NRDC’s strong advocacy on sustainable development, NRDC President Manish Bapna was invited to deliver a keynote speech. Manish pointed out that ESG investments present a long-term strategy to mitigate the risks – both the risks from climate and environmental impacts and the risks inherent in the transition to a cleaner future. He emphasized that scaling up climate investment requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, including public and private capital. Public finance is far from enough to meet the tremendous gaps of climate financing. According to NRDC’s research with partners, pension funds and other large asset owners have larger potential to incentivize and mobilize more private capitals flowing to climate solutions. He called for robust actions to be taken at the upcoming COP28 in Dubai in two months.