Sustainability: a strategy to boost your business
Recently, we had the privilege of organizing, together with Green Capital Partners and Grant Thornton (Panama & Spain), a seminar focused on Sustainable Finance and International Sustainability Standards, where industry experts and leaders discussed the challenges and opportunities that sustainability offers in the corporate world. This event marked a milestone in promoting responsible practices within the capital market, highlighting the importance of IFRS S1 and S2 in this transformational process.
Key Topics: Sustainable Finance and International Sustainability Standards
The event provided a platform for our first speaker: Andrea Mosquera (Founder and President of Green Capital Partners) to delve into the principles of sustainable finance, a model that is redefining how companies access capital, aligning their growth strategies with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. Various strategies were discussed to implement sustainability practices within organizations, with a particular emphasis on financial instruments such as green bonds and ESG-focused investment funds.
One of the most important points addressed by Sajai Alba (Senior Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Consultant at Grant Thornton, Spain) during the seminar was the impact of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2, recently adopted as a benchmark for sustainability reporting. These standards, issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), establish a global framework that requires companies to report on how they manage sustainability-related risks and opportunities.
IFRS S1 and S2: A Step Towards Transparency in Reporting
During the seminar, panelists explored the key aspects of IFRS S1 and S2. IFRS S1 focuses on sustainability-related financial disclosures, ensuring that companies provide clear and comparable information about their performance in this area. IFRS S2, on the other hand, outlines specific guidelines for climate-related risk disclosures, requiring companies to reveal the impact of climate change on their operations and strategies.
These standards not only enhance transparency and investor confidence but also help companies identify future financial risks and long-term business opportunities. In this context, IFRS S1 and S2 are not merely regulatory obligations but strategic tools for competitiveness.
Tools for Successful Implementation
One of the most anticipated moments of the event was the presentation of a practical guide to help companies successfully lead this transformational process. The guide, developed by Grant Thornton, offers a detailed approach on how to implement IFRS S1 and S2 within organizations, providing clear steps to integrate sustainability into the core of their operations.
Tools and techniques were discussed for climate risk management, ESG strategy development, and the adoption of meaningful and measurable sustainability metrics. According to the experts, the key to successful implementation lies in establishing a solid internal structure that involves all areas of the company, from leadership to operational teams.
Many members of our professional team were also present at the event, including our senior associate, Luis Miguel Rojer, our CFO, Rimercio Stephenson, our Business & Marketing manager, Sofía Johnson; and our Accounting Manager, Boris Martínez.
Conclusion
The seminar concluded with a call to action from our partner, Oliver Muñoz, who moderated the event, for companies to accelerate their transition to more sustainable models. Sustainable finance and international sustainability standards are more than just a trend; they represent an urgent need to ensure the long-term viability of organizations in an ever-changing global environment.
From our position, we will continue to promote these spaces for dialogue and reflection, supporting companies on their path to sustainability by providing the necessary tools and strategies to tackle the challenges of this new financial paradigm.
