IMPACT – Conference on “Aligning investments with sustainability and corporate responsibility – The digitalization of impact measurement”
Published on 29 May 2023
The Conference on “Aligning investments with sustainability and corporate responsibility” , organized by ANIMA Investment Network in collaboration with the Union for the Mediterranean (UpM), took place from May 24th to 26th in Barcelona, Spain. This event brought together experts and stakeholders from the business and investment sector, with the support of the German Development Cooperation and EBSOMED. Under the leadership of Emmanuel Noutary, General Delegate, Zoé Luçon, Senior Expert, and Lydie Cornand, Director of Information Systems and Pedagogical Coordinator at ANIMA, this platform for exchange and reflection explored ways to reconcile investments with sustainable development goals and corporate responsibility strategies.
Engaging Organizations in Climate Dialogue
The event gathered a delegation of 74 representatives from public institutions, the private sector, business support organizations, investment promotion agencies, international financing and development institutions/investors, as well as think tanks and research centers. Fruitful dialogues on climate challenges were facilitated, with the participation of over 20 distinguished speakers, including the Union for the Mediterranean, ANIMA Investment Network, the European Commission, the Scientific Centre of Monaco, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Business France, the OECD, and many others. The sharing of strategies, practices, and visions by these organizations enriched the discussions and led to the exploration of innovative solutions to promote sustainable development in the region.
A Rich Program: Inspiring Conferences and Interactive Workshops
The first day provided an opportunity for representatives from the ANIMA team, the European Union, and other organizations to present their practices and vision regarding sustainable businesses and impact assessment in the region, thus fostering exchanges and sharing of best practices in sustainability.
The second day focused on practical workshops aimed at providing services to businesses to improve their impact. The online tool IMPACT RATING, developed by ANIMA Investment Network with the support of the European Union and the Union for the Mediterranean (UpM), was presented as a valuable resource for assessing the impact of investment projects.
Finally, on the third morning, a learning visit to an outstanding industry was organized by AMEC. This visit allowed participants to discover concrete examples of sustainable and innovative practices implemented by this company, thereby enhancing their understanding of initiatives and practical solutions to promote sustainable development in the region. Participants had the opportunity to explore the innovative solutions developed by the AKO Group for sustainable and efficient refrigeration. The company, renowned for its commitment to innovation, design, and research, has been integrating the ISO 14001 environmental standard into its processes and solutions since 2006, emphasizing efficiency and sustainability.
Encouraging Results and Promising Perspectives
The seminar yielded positive outcomes, highlighting regulations that encourage businesses to engage in sustainable development, both at the European level and in the countries of the southern Mediterranean. The strategies implemented by the private sector and public organizations in this field were shared, along with a committed reflection to define a Euro-Mediterranean joint strategy. The commitments made by countries since the Paris Agreement on climate change and emerging international standards in social responsibility have prompted business and investment organizations to adopt tools for monitoring the impact of investment projects. Renewed collaboration between territories and host companies, based on tangible criteria and shared benefits, has been emphasized as a necessity.
Emmanuel Noutary, General Delegate of ANIMA, highlighted that the critical challenges faced by our region, whether environmental or social in nature, necessitate the engagement of the private sector in offering solutions. In this context, he emphasized ANIMA’s preparedness to share its expertise in prioritizing investments with a positive impact.
A big thank you to all the distinguished speakers and participants who contributed to the resounding success of the recent conference on sustainable development and the impact of businesses. Your valuable ideas and contributions have truly enriched the discussions and advanced the global agenda in terms of responsible and ethical practices.