69: Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Law (Amee Sandhu) - September 1, 2021

This week, we’re exploring the area of environmental, social and governance law (aka ESG Law), with business lawyer and corporate ethics expert, Amee Sandhu.

Topics: corporate liability for climate change; cracking down on modern slavery; benefit companies, and more!

Full Episode (53:53) Download

⚫ What legal obligations do corporate boards have to address the risk of climate change? (7:17)
⚫ How can federal legislation require boards to address modern slavery and improve transparency in their own supply chains? (17:52)
⚫ How does a ‘benefit company’ enable organizations to actively promote the public interest? (27:33)
⚫ Our Ask-Me-Anything segment, featuring questions submitted by patrons of the Lawyered community (36:38)
? What is the relationship between ESG and corporate social responsibility (CSR)? (37:17)
? What are some ESG considerations regarding the diversity of corporate boards? (39:07)
? Are there circumstances in which an ESG approach can translate into reducing the bottom line? (42:11)
? What are some ways that law firms can implement ESG practices within their own organizations? (44:25)
? How does Canada’s approach to ESG compare to that of other countries around the world? (48:38)

1. Corporate Liability for Climate Change Impacts (16:35)
Download

“Putting Climate Change Risk on the Board Room Table”, (Carol Hansell, Jun 25, 2020)
“Primer on Climate Change: Directors’ Duties and Disclosure Obligations”, Canadian Climate Law Initiative (Jun 24, 2021)
“In-House Counsel Have a Role to Play in Fighting Climate Change”, Amee Sandhu (Jul 21, 2020)


2. Modern Slavery and Supply Chain Transparency (14:18) Download

Bill S-216: An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff

3. Benefit Companies (13:49) Download

B Lab Canada
“3 steps to becoming a certified B Corp”, Export Development Canada
“A Critical Canadian Perspective on the Benefit Corporation”
, Carol Liao (Mar 4, 2017)
“B.C. joins growing trend to ‘benefit companies’ that do business in responsible, sustainable manner”, Christine Dobby (Dec 31, 2017)


4. Ask-Me-Anything: ESG Law (17:49) Download


? What is the relationship between ESG and corporate social responsibility (CSR)? 
? What are some ESG considerations regarding the diversity of corporate boards? 
? Are there circumstances in which an ESG approach can translate into reducing the bottom line? 
? What are some ways that law firms can implement ESG practices within their own organizations? 
? How does Canada’s approach to ESG compare to that of other countries around the world? 


About the Guest:

Amee Sandhu is the CEO/Founder of Lex Integra Professional Corporation.

Her practice is uniquely focused on commercial negotiations, in-house counsel work, and ethics and compliance programs. Previously, she was a senior member of the inaugural ethics and compliance team at SNC-Lavalin, which was responsible for creating and implementing a world-wide ethics and compliance program. She also spent several years as both in-house counsel and commercial manager at Atomic Energy of Canada Amee has taught business law to business students at Ryerson University and Algoma University.

She won a mentoring award from the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association for her years of mentoring lawyers. Amee is a board member of Transparency International – Canada as well as a member of the Legal Committee of Transparency International – Canada. She is one of the Canada Climate Law Initiative’s Climate Governance Experts. She is personally certified as an ISO 37001 Lead Implementer of Anti-Bribery Management Systems

It comes as no surprise that Amee is a regular speaker at ethics and compliance events in North America, Asia, and South America, and guest lectures at universities and colleges on corporate ethics

Amee’s Bio
Amee’s Email Address

 

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