The “Managing a Company in 2030” Conference Connected the Public Sector with Business

More than 80 company representatives attended the conference “Managing a Company in 2030,” jointly organized by the Association for Sustainable Business and the information portal CSRD.cz. The event focused on key challenges related to climate change and its impact on corporate strategic management.

 

Connecting key stakeholders in sustainability

The conference created a platform for dialogue between the public sector, non-profit organizations, and the business community. In his opening remarks, Minister of the Environment Petr Hladík emphasized that the Czech Republic is on the right trajectory, although it still has room for improvement, particularly in the area of the circular economy. Josef Schwarz from the European Commission Representation offered companies the opportunity to participate in discussions on new strategic proposals and legislation.

 

Other key actors shaping the legislative framework for Czech companies also spoke during the conference. Michaela Chaloupková from ČEZ invited keynote speaker Ondráš Přibyla to join a new advisory team of experts for the ČEZ Group. At the conference, Přibyla presented the Decarbonization Atlas and explained the main barriers to the decarbonization process.

 

Linking climate strategy with corporate risk management

Martin Breyl, Executive Board Director of RESPECT, highlighted the need for a proactive approach to ESG risks in his presentation:

“ESG is not just about reporting and legislative compliance. Above all, it is about identifying new business opportunities and managing risks that may have a significant impact on a company’s value over the next decade. Climate risks are becoming an integral part of business reality, as last year’s floods with damages of CZK 70 billion clearly demonstrated. At RESPECT, we help companies incorporate these risks into their strategic management because, regardless of current legislation or potential easing of ESG reporting requirements, the risks themselves do not disappear. The key is to connect climate risk data with concrete business impacts and insurance protection, which is an area where we offer expertise to Czech companies,” Breyl said.

 

Conference participants agreed on several key points:

➡️ Climate change and biodiversity loss are undeniable facts that must be considered in risk management and integrated into corporate strategies.

➡️ Data remains a key tool for effective management. Simplifying ESG reporting proposed in the so-called Omnibus package is welcome, but it carries the risk of losing an important tool for data collection and reporting.

➡️ Education and awareness are essential for understanding the impacts of climate change and incorporating them into corporate strategies.

➡️ The Czech Republic has significant potential in the green industry, which remains underutilized due to slow implementation and lengthy approval processes.

 

At the conclusion of the conference, the Association for Sustainable Business presented the “Manifesto of Sustainability Competence in Companies and Organizations,” aimed at supporting the development of sustainability management skills as a key tool for long-term corporate sustainability and competitiveness.