PwC Jamaica's ESG Fireside Chat event sparks engaging discussions

Kingston Jamaica, 15 March 2024 - PwC Jamaica hosted a highly successful Fireside Chat event on Tuesday, 12 March, providing a platform for clients to engage in insightful discussions with the firm's local ESG team, led by Carolyn Bell-Wisdom, alongside global ESG business partner and subject matter expert Janice Noronha.

Noronha, a retired partner from PwC, known for her ESG thought leadership and pivotal role in PwC's Montreal sustainability practice, shared insights with attendees alongside a panel of local ESG specialists. Other panellists included PwC's ESG Leader, strategist and risk management specialist, Carolyn Bell-Wisdom; Tanya Baboo, Senior Manager specialising in policy, financing initiatives, risk management, and sustainability strategy; and Stephanie Wehby, Manager specialising in business strategy and transformation. The panel was moderated by Adrian Tait, Consulting Leader and transformation strategist.

The event facilitated in-depth conversations surrounding organisational expectations in commencing their ESG journey, exploration of industry trends, discussion of emerging developments, and consideration of ESG implications on business operations and the overall business model.

A key catalyst for the event was PwC’s Caribbean Corporate Governance Pulse Survey 2024 which indicates positive ESG trends but highlights the need to move intentions to actions. 

The survey reported that while more than half of the  respondents consider ESG to some extent when planning strategy and managing risk, less than 10% strongly agree that ESG is regularly on the boardroom agenda or that their boards have a defined process for ESG oversight!

To address this issue, discussions also explored the significance of integrating ESG into all aspects of the strategy and value creation process, highlighting its importance in investment decisions and underlying the shift towards more responsible business practices. Attendees gained valuable insights into navigating the changing landscape of environmental, social, and governance responsibilities.

“Our Fireside Chat was a tremendous success, fostering meaningful dialogue and providing actionable insights for our clients,” said Carolyn Bell-Wisdom, ESG Leader at PwC Jamaica. “The stakes are high and the implications are significant, not just for business but for society.  We are committed to continuing our support for organisations as they navigate the complexities of ESG integration and sustainability.”

The event underscored the importance of proactive measures in response to changing regulatory landscapes, such as the IFRS S1 and S2 sustainability disclosures and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).