The full programme is currently in development and is due to be released in November.

Opening keynote: Reclaiming climate justice for people and planet
At a time when political backtracking threatens progress on climate action, Asad Rehman will argue that despair is not an option. Drawing on his journey from a working-class community to the frontlines of global climate justice, he will explore how the environmental movement must remain a radical force: confronting inequality, challenging the systems that fuel both poverty and planetary breakdown, and showing that climate justice is inseparable from economic and social justice. Far from retreating, now is the moment to double down - to build grassroots power, foster solidarity, and hold on to hope as a tool of resistance and transformation. This talk will make the case that fighting for climate justice is not just about saving the planet, but about creating a fairer, thriving world for all.

Asad Rehman, chief executive, Friends of the Earth

How can we push for progress against the backdrop of political challenges?
Amid political turbulence and the prospect of continued pushback on ESG, especially under the Trump presidency, how can investors keep driving progress? This session will explore the real-world levers of change, showing how effective engagement with companies, done at the right frequency and with clear milestones, can deliver progress even when policy headwinds are strong. Politics may set the backdrop, but investors still have the power to shape the future.
 
Tom Montagu-Pollock, co-head of charities

Emilie Shaw, portfolio director and sustainability lead, Cazenove Capital

Modern slavery - how to safeguard your supply chain
Join Andrew Wallis, CEO of Unseen UK, for an eye-opening session on the hidden risks of modern slavery in the UK. Discover the scale of the issue, the legal responsibilities that large charities must comply with, and practical steps every charity - big or small - can take to spot red flags, strengthen transparency, and safeguard their supply chains.

Andrew Wallis, founding chief executive, Unseen UK

British Heart Foundation case study: becoming fit for the future 
This session will share BHF's journey to embedding ESG across the organisation. From completing its first environmental roadmap in 2022 to committing to net zero by 2045, BHF is driving change through circular economy, responsible sourcing, supporting diverse workforces, tackling health inequalities and reducing the environmental impact of funded research. The session will share both challenges and lessons learned along the way, while also making the case for why investing in strategic ESG initiatives delivers impact not only for the environment and society, but also strengthens the organisation’s ability to achieve its core mission.

Nick Greenwood, strategic initiatives delivery manager, British Heart Foundation

Closing Keynote: Compassion Under Siege: Charity leadership in an age of hostility
Charities supporting refugees, migrants, and vulnerable communities are facing unprecedented hostility - from threats and misinformation to political indifference and hostile rhetoric. Women’s organisations, too, are being forced to defend their work against weaponisation by the far-right, misusing the language of protection to fuel division. At the same time, civil society must uphold values of fairness and compassion that government seems reluctant to champion.

This panel will bring together leading voices to discuss how charities can safeguard staff, counter damaging narratives, build coalitions, and lobby government effectively. Join us for practical insights on advocacy and leadership in defending and strengthening the space for civil society.

Chair - Peter Holbrook, chief executive, Social Enterprise UK

Paul Parker, recording clerk, Quakers in Britain

Sonya Sceats, chief executive, Freedom from Torture

Wanda Wyporska, chief executive, Black Cultural Archives

Andrea Simon, executive director, End Violence Against Women

First produced in June's issue of Charity Finance

While social care charities are, by definition, providing a solution to a social issue, like the rest of the charity sector many are increasingly aware of wider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues too.

ESG reporting is becoming an important focus for many charities, but the exact definition of the term remains relatively unclear. It can be helpful to consider what each of the letters in this acronym means.

• Environmental: the narrative around the environmental aspect has become associated with climate change, net-zero carbon emissions, and the energy transition, and could arguably be broadened to include wider social and physical aspects of the environment, such as dignity and wellbeing, or biodiversity and conservation.
• Social: social encompasses ethical behaviour and practices towards staff and beneficiaries, and the wider contribution to the sustainability of the socio-economic framework.
• Governance: governance encompasses control and direction, with a focus on the way a charity sets out to address risks and opportunities.

ESG as an opportunity for charities
ESG reporting provides an opportunity to tell a charity’s story about its part in the movement towards a sustainable future. Meaningful, authentic ESG reporting can be moulded around each charity’s ethos and values. The other spectrum of ESG has been the initiatives driven by the passions of the charity’s beneficiaries and staff alike to create eco-initiatives and lead on new policies. Reporting on ESG, rather than being a tick-box exercise, could be an opportunity to evaluate what more can be done.

Increasing public benefit
Another consideration for ESG reporting is the work charities do regarding public benefit reporting. In England and Wales, trustees must confirm that they have applied the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. Public benefit is seen to be part of the social aspect of ESG. When thinking about how to include the governance aspect within reporting, the Charities SORP provides guidance to those preparing charity accounts.

While the SORP does not expressly consider ESG reporting, aspects of its existing requirements do coincide with elements of ESG. Similarly, the Charity Governance Code (2020) encourages elements of ESG.

How can charities report on ESG?
There has been a noticeable drive towards greener activity, meaning ESG has climbed up the agenda. Currently, there is no watchdog or regulator offering support for organisations adapting their practices to become more sustainable. This makes it difficult for many charities to see how they can implement ESG reporting practically and in a meaningful way.

The Charity Commission has previously engaged with ESG reporting and the guidance is typically supportive of sustainability being incorporated into the charity’s approach, provided it aligns or is complementary to, the charity’s overall objectives. The two are also linked, with ethical considerations having a positive effect on public trust. The SORP Committee identified sustainability reporting as part of their discussions for developing the SORP.

Further hurdles
While there are lessons to be learned from current corporate reporting, they are by no means always best practice. More weight needs to be placed on the social and governance aspects of ESG, rather than the current focus on the environmental one. The nature of many charities means that ESG can be inherent, but consideration still needs to be given to issues such as employment and safeguarding.

As well as the resourcing issue, ESG reporting might create challenges around who takes responsibility for collecting the information. If reporting lies within the annual report, finance teams could already be struggling for capacity, so charities may need to consider which system would work best for them.

Looking forward
There are currently three options available to charities:

1. Do something new.
2. Imitate existing reporting.
3. Let sleeping dogs lie.

However, keeping an eye on future plans and the impact on the wider community is key.

Importantly, we need to stress that charities are already likely to be doing more than they think and it is a matter of teasing out the relevant aspects for reporting. The way this is communicated, whether through websites or annual reports, is also an important consideration.

Lee Stokes is partner and head of care & community at haysmacintyre

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For ESG Imperative 2026 we are delighted to be moving to the Minster Building, located in the heart of London's bustling financial district. 

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