Skip to main content
Mobile
  • Finance, Accounting & Economics
  • Global Business Management
  • Management, Leadership & Organisation
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Strategy
  • Technology & Operations
HS Talks HS Talks
Subjects  
Search
  • Notifications
    Notifications

    No current notifications.

  • User
    Welcome Guest
    You have Limited Access The Business & Management Collection
    Login
    Get Assistance
    Login
    Forgot your password?
    Login via your organisation
    Login via Organisation
    Get Assistance
Finance, Accounting & Economics
Global Business Management
Management, Leadership & Organisation
Marketing & Sales
Strategy
Technology & Operations
You currently don't have access to this journal. Request access now.
Practice paper

The rise of sustainability oversight committees as part of modern board governance and oversight: Practical considerations

David Suetens
Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions, 17 (2), 161-167 (2024)
https://doi.org/10.69554/JDTC9291

Abstract

Given the constantly evolving landscape, the intersection between corporate governance and sustainability has become a key topic for board members, shareholders and regulators who are seeking to ensure that companies remain competitive as well as relevant. This paper outlines how boards can become more effective in formulating strategic responses to the sustainability agenda through the creation of a specific sustainability committee, which is distinct from the risk and audit committees. It presents arguments for the creation of such a capacity, illustrating them with specific examples (such as materiality assessments). Focus is placed on the interactions with other key governance bodies (the risk, audit and remuneration committees) when such a governance body is being created, and it is suggested that solely applying a risk or audit lens is not sufficient and may create additional gaps in oversight. Finally, the paper discusses how a sustainability committee can become a ‘learning’ governance body, accelerating a sound understanding of how sustainability considerations can affect the strategy, opportunities and risks facing the company at different levels.

Keywords: sustainability governance; sustainability oversight; corporate governance; climate agenda; sustainability strategy; ownership; sustainability education; board oversight

The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.

Already a subscriber? Login or review other options.

Author's Biography

David Suetens is an independent non-executive director and currently serves on the (supervisory) boards of two systemic financial institutions in Europe as well as a FinTech firm. He has been recognised as an independent thought leader in the field of sustainability and has provided dedicated environmental, social and governance trainings to executive committees and boards in Europe as well as emerging markets. He also lectures on the ‘Cases in Sustainable Finance’ course for a master's programme at HEC University Liege. He holds a master's degree in law from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, and another master's degree in international banking law and finance from the Boston University School of Law.

Citation

Suetens, David (2024, March 1). The rise of sustainability oversight committees as part of modern board governance and oversight: Practical considerations. In the Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions, Volume 17, Issue 2. https://doi.org/10.69554/JDTC9291.

Options

  • Download PDF
  • Share this page
    Share This Article
    Messaging
    • Outlook
    • Gmail
    • Yahoo!
    • WhatsApp
    Social
    • Facebook
    • X
    • LinkedIn
    • VKontakte
    Permalink
cover image, Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions
Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions
Volume 17 / Issue 2
© Henry Stewart
Publications LLP

The Business & Management Collection

  • ISSN: 2059-7177
  • Contact Us
  • Request Free Trial
  • Recommend to Your Librarian
  • Subscription Information
  • Match Content
  • Share This Collection
  • Embed Options
  • View Quick Start Guide
  • Accessibility

Categories

  • Finance, Accounting & Economics
  • Global Business Management
  • Management, Leadership & Organisation
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Strategy
  • Technology & Operations

Librarian Information

  • General Information
  • MARC Records
  • Discovery Services
  • Onsite & Offsite Access
  • Federated (Shibboleth) Access
  • Usage Statistics
  • Promotional Materials
  • Testimonials

About Us

  • About HSTalks
  • Editors
  • Contact Information
  • About the Journals

HSTalks Home

Follow Us On:

HS Talks
  • Site Requirements
  • Copyright & Permissions
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
© Copyright Henry Stewart Talks Ltd

Personal Account Required

To use this function, you need to be signed in with a personal account.

If you already have a personal account, please login here.

Otherwise you may sign up now for a personal account.

HS Talks

Cookies and Privacy

We use cookies, and similar tools, to improve the way this site functions, to track browsing patterns and enable marketing. For more information read our cookie policy and privacy policy.

Cookie Settings

How Cookies Are Used

Cookies are of the following types:

  • Essential to make the site function.
  • Used to analyse and improve visitor experience.

For more information see our Cookie Policy.

Some types of cookies can be disabled by you but doing so may adversely affect functionality. Please see below:

(always on)

If you block these cookies or set alerts in your browser parts of the website will not work.

Cookies that provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. If not allowed functionality may be impaired.

Cookies that count and track visits and on website activity enabling us to organise the website to optimise the experience of users. They may be blocked without immediate adverse effect.