On 2 October, the ESG Braga conference - ‘Challenges, Opportunities and Best Practices’ was held at the Portuguese Catholic University (UCP) - Braga, in collaboration with the Católica Braga Executive Academy, the Católica Porto Business School and the Braga Business Association (AEB). During this meeting, it was highlighted that the implementation of ESG rules - environmental, social and governance - is inevitable and essential for the future of companies and the planet itself. 

In the opening session, Paulo Dias, Vice-Chancellor of UCP - Braga, highlighted the relevance of the event and stressed that "ESG criteria - environmental, social and governance - are now much more than a trend: they are imperative for the future of organisations. They represent the way we care for the planet, people and the trust that underpins our institutions. Integrating them is not only a matter of responsibility, but also an opportunity for innovation and competitiveness." The Vice-Chancellor also pointed out that universities – and Católica in particular – should be a meeting place between academia and society, a place for sharing between teachers and learners. ‘At a time of enormous global challenges, it is moments like this – of dialogue, sharing and reflection – that fuel social transformation,’ he said.

In turn, the Director-General of AEB, Rui Marques, emphasised the importance of the new ESG rules for companies. "This is an issue that fully justifies our presence, because sustainability issues have become an inevitability. Naturally, they represent a challenge, but also an opportunity. They are inevitable not only because of the growing demands of European regulations, which require companies to comply with sustainability reporting procedures, but also because of the financial aspect, as credit institutions are beginning to value and favour companies that submit this type of report," he explains.

Ivone Rocha, from Telles de Abreu e Advogados, addressed ‘Integrating ESG into long-term strategy: challenges for companies’. The panel ‘ESG: Sustainable Transformation’ featured João Torres, Associate Partner at KPMG, Isabel Furtado, CEO of TMG Automotive, and João Pinto, Dean of Católica Porto Business School. Luís Rocharte, Business Transformation Executive at Mota Engil, was the moderator of the round table: ‘Challenges, Opportunities and Best Practices’, which included Cátia Pinto, Director of Innovation and Sustainability, Mundo Têxtil, Célia Meira, Director of Marketing and Communication, Ombria Resort, and Ricardo Ramos, Director of Sustainability and AI at Águas de Monchique. The conference was closed by Bruno Nobre, Director of the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences at UCP - Braga.