Business as a Force for Good – Responsibilities of Boards for a Fair and Just Sustainable Transition
As INSEAD community we stand for “Business as a Force for Good”. But who defines a “Good” (fair and just) sustainable transition and what role can Boards play to help companies get on the right side of this argument? Which moral choices can and should companies and their Boards be held responsible for? Are there external (scientific) frameworks on responsibilities that board members could consider?
Sanne Akerboom and her group at Utrecht University have focused on this topic as part of the Sustainable Industry Lab (SIL).
It has been explored in multiple sessions with representatives of industry, government, NGOs and academics. In this Roundtable we would like to extend the conversation to INSEAD non-executives. Because you are the people seeking to balance all stakeholder interests for the long-term sustainable success of companies. SIL is interested in the view of non-executive board members on this strategic matter.
We will be hosted by Consiglio at the Groothandelsgebouw in Rotterdam, directions below.
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By means of synthesizing academic and expert knowledge, The Sustainable Industry Lab (SIL) aims to improve the quality of the societal and political debate to reach a carbon neutral Dutch industry by 2050. |
A fair sustainable industrial transformation
The concept of the fair energy transition bridges the gap between traditional techno-economical decision-making and the societal implications. In this theme we explore how the sustainable industrial transformation creates impacts on different groups, such as employees and employers, businesses, local residents, governments and societal and environmental organizations. We also study how potentially negative impacts can be reasonably mitigated.
Program – 12 June 2025
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 16:30 | Doors open, refreshments |
| 17:00 – 17:10 | Welcome (Saskia Kunst – Consiglio Corporate Development / Wouter Jongepier – INBOARD) |
| 17:10 – 17:40 | Introduction Sustainable Industry Lab and Five Principles of Responsibility (Sanne Akerboom and Maxine Fromm – Utrecht University and SIL) |
| 17:40 – 18:10 | Break-out discussions: Board responsibility for a fair and just transition |
| 18:10 – 19:00 | Group discussion, reflection and conclusion |
| 19:00 – 19:30 | Drinks & Bites |
Location
The event will take place in the iconic Groothandelsgebouw, Stationsplein 45, 3013 AK Rotterdam, right next to Rotterdam’s Central station.
Coming by train or metro it is literally a 2-minute walk. For those coming by car, there is a large carpark (P1) below the building.
Please take entrance A and go up to the 4th floor (CIC). Our meeting room is Aurora.