Sustainability is no longer just an issue dealt with by the social departments of individual organisations, but has found its way into the core business of entire industries, none more so than the financial sector.

With sustainable and ethical finance intensifying in recent years, how are the financial markets adjusting?

Dentons is delighted to host the second session in our Financial Disruption series of Horizon Brief events, where we will be discussing the impact of ESG on high-carbon industries, the danger of stranded assets and the impact of environmentalism and competitiveness in the developed world. There will be a panel discussion with the following key speakers:

• Graham Smith, Director and Head of HSBC's Sustainable Finance Unit. The Unit’s role is to grow and develop HSBC’s green loans book by providing structuring and sectoral expertise. Graham's previous role was as the Head of HSBC’s Bus Rapid Transit team working on sustainable public transport in emerging markets and managing HSBC’s commercial relationship with the Green Climate Fund.

• Catherine Howarth, Chief Executive of ShareAction. ShareAction coordinates civil society activism to promote responsible investment across Europe. Catherine is a board member of the Scott Trust, serves on HM Treasury’s Asset Management Taskforce and has been recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. She has degrees from the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics.

• Tony Hughes, Managing Director at Moody’s Analytics. He has written recently on climate change stress testing which will be required, starting in 2021. Tony has previously lectured at the University of Adelaide and is a columnist for the Global Association of Risk Professionals. He has a PhD in Econometrics from Monash University.

• Helen Bowdren, Partner in Dentons' Environment and Societal team. Helen advises corporate clients on several aspects of ESG risk, including environmental issues, climate change, energy efficiency, human rights, workplace safety and corporate social responsibility. She has an international practice, having worked in Dubai and South Africa, and regularly advises on ESG matters in cross-border transactions.

The discussion will be moderated by Andrew Hilton, director and joint founder of the CSFI. Dr Hilton is a former World Bank economist and editor-in-chief of the International Reports group in New York. He has a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from the Wharton School and an MA from New College, Oxford.