ESG, Climate Risk And The Law

Managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk, once optional, is now a critical business priority. Global financial markets, scientific data, government policy and public opinion are converging to drive rapid legal, business and cultural changes in the area of ESG-related risk management. 

At the same time, ESG and climate-related risks are leading to greater legal and regulatory claims, shareholder activism, investor class-actions, and public “naming and shaming” in cases where an organization is not adequately prioritizing ESG and climate issues.

In order to effectively navigate and advise on legal and operational ESG and climate-related risks and issues in the context of governance matters, commercial transactions and investments, and to avoid legal liability and reputational risk, you must have a solid grasp of the complex and evolving laws and expectations in this area.

Designed by governance, climate-risk and policy experts for board directors and legal and business professionals whose work involves governance, commercial transactions or investments, this unique new OsgoodePD Certificate is the only program of its kind for Canadian organizations, boards and legal advisors to upskill in this important area.

Over five engaging days featuring discussion and case studies, you will learn how to evaluate, navigate and disclose common ESG and climate-related risks and opportunities, establish and develop an ESG framework within the corporate culture and decision-making process, and set suitable ESG-related legal risk management and operational goals.

Completing this program will enhance your knowledge and refine your repertoire of risk management strategies and techniques for navigating ESG and climate-related issues, potential liability exposure and opportunities and provide you with valuable resources.

What You’ll Learn:

• Principal elements and market expectations of rapidly evolving ESG criteria including critical developments, policies, government and civil initiatives, nationally and globally, influencing ESG and climate-related risks and opportunities
• Strategies for managing and disclosing ESG criteria
• How ESG factors and climate risks intersect with relevant laws, policies and rights in Canada, including the unique impact on Indigenous communities and the duty to consult
• Key considerations, challenges, and legal risks that boards and organizations face when evaluating and modeling financial impacts related to ESG and climate risk
• Techniques for navigating current and emerging governance and diligence obligations, challenges and legal issues, including oversight, disclosure, and engagement with investors and other stakeholders
• Approaches for evaluating common risk management tools to mitigate, avoid or respond to ESG-related risks and potential legal actions
• Tactics for managing common ESG-related risks, challenges and liability exposures in governance matters, transactions, investments and infrastructure projects
• How to critique and construct methods for setting clear ESG-related legal risk management and operational goals
• Best practices for embedding an ESG framework into the corporate decision-making process