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ESG DAY 2024
A challenged future: choosing the path ahead
#UniCreditESGDay
Watch the recording of the event Below.
At ESG Day 2024, we wanted to put the focus firmly on the need for greater progress in tackling some of the toughest issues facing our society today. From climate change to social inequality, we need action and we need answers. Urgently.
The event served as a forum to review and assess the concrete solutions available to us as we seek to address a range of pressing challenges. How can we go about solving the trade-off between environmental and social concerns? How can we balance profit and sustainability? And how can we best accompany our clients as they navigate a complex transition? We probed into all of this and more through a series of panels, with expert speakers challenging the status quo without losing focus on the importance of building this path together.
This year, we also incorporated a pan-European dimension, with local events taking place in many of our markets beyond Italy to reflect our clients' different ESG experiences.
The future of our planet depends on all of us - clients, colleagues, competitors, governments and many other influential bodies and organisations. We must band together, be prepared to stand up and make a concerted effort to change our behaviour.
AGENDA
SPEAKERS
- Silvia Berzoni – Editor in Chief at Class NBC
Silvia Berzoni is Editor in Chief at Class NBC. Previously she has worked as Head of Foreign Desks and ESG and Sustainability correspondent for the group. She is the anchor and editor of a new TV format "Sustainable Future" aired everyday on SKY 507 platform focusing on sustainability, ESG, Energy Transition and Clean Technologies. She actually covers the ECB, EU Commission and ESG landscape. She has been the U.S. and UN Correspondent for the group for more than eight years, she was the first Italian reporter to broadcast a Tv show directly from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and from the Nasdaq market site. In her tenure she has been covering finance and capital markets, technological disruptions, international politics and monetary policies. While at CNBC she has interviewed high-profile figures such as Prime Ministers, Central Banks Governors, Nobel Prize winners, finance ministers and CEOs. Since joining Class CNBC, she has covered the European sovereign debt crisis and the ECB from Frankfurt, FED decisions and IMF meetings in Washington, G20 meetings, the EU leaders summit, The UN General Assembly, White House bilateral etc. After several experiences abroad, she graduated at Bocconi University magna cum laude.
- Marco Piccolo Reynaldi – CEO of Reynaldi Srl
Marco Piccolo is the CEO of Reynaldi Srl, a leading company in third-party cosmetics manufacturing. He is a civil economy ambassador, committed to sustainability and innovation projects. Under his leadership, Reynaldi has earned significant accolades, including the Civil Economy Award and recognition as a European best practice in sustainability.
- Matteo Innocenti – Medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, President of the Italian Association of Climate Change Anxiety
Matteo Innocenti is a medical doctor, psychiatrist, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, EMDR therapist, and ecotherapist. Graduated and specialized in Florence, he works in Milan, Florence, and Pavia. He is pursuing a PhD in Public Health at the Catholic University of Rome and collaborates with European universities to research the psychological impact of climate change on mental health. President of the Italian Climate Change Anxiety Association, he is the author of numerous scientific publications and specialist books on anxiety, panic, and somatization.
- TLON - Maura Gancitano and Andrea Colamedici – Philosophers, writers, founders of the Tlon Project
Andrea Colamedici and Maura Gancitano, philosophers and writers, are the founders of Tlon, a school of philosophy, publishing house and theater library. They have written several books together, including “Ma chi me lo fa fare?” (HarperCollins, 2023), "Prendila con Filosofia" (HarperCollins, 2021) and "L'alba dei nuovi dèi" (Mondadori, 2021). They host various podcasts, including "Scuola di Filosofie" for Audible. They are the creators of Festa della Filosofia in Milan and Rome and the online marathon Prendiamola con Filosofia. From April 2022 they direct and conduct Il pod - Italian Podcast Awards.
- Dieter Helm – Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Economics at New College, Oxford
Dieter Helm is Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Economics at New College, Oxford. From 2012 to 2020, he was Independent Chair of the Natural Capital Committee, providing advice to the government on the sustainable use of natural capital. Dieter specialises in three key areas: Energy & Climate; Regulation, Utilities & Infrastructure; and Natural Capital & the Environment. He provides extensive expert advice to UK and European governments, regulators and companies across all three areas. Dieter is a Vice President of the Exmoor Society, a Vice President of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, and Honorary Fellow, Brasenose College, Oxford.
- Marco Alverà – Co-founder and CEO of Zhero and Tree Energy Solutions (TES)
Marco Alverà was born in New York, and is the co-founder of Zhero, a renewable energy company as well as shareholder and CEO of Tree Energy Solutions (TES), world leading hydrogen and renewable gas player. Marco has more than 20 years of senior management experience in Europe’s most relevant energy companies and he is the author of The Hydrogen Revolution, selected as one of the FT’s best books of 2021. He began his career at Goldman Sachs in London before starting and selling a telecom company, and then moving to Enel, today one of the world’s largest green electricity companies. He subsequently moved to Eni, where he worked for over 10 until becoming Chief Midstream Officer also supervising the largest European gas portfolio. From 2016 to 2022 he was the CEO of Snam, where he positioned the company as an international leader in green hydrogen and green gas infrastructure. Since 2017 he has been non-executive Director of S&P Global, where he is also Chair of the Finance Committee. He is also a member of the Executive Board and of the Steering Committee of the Giorgio Cini Foundation in Venice and a Visiting Fellow of the University of Oxford. He is co-founder of the Kenta Foundation, active in promoting gender balance and combating educational poverty. He holds a degree in Philosophy and Economics from the London School of Economics.
- Matthias Pöverlein – Sustainability Officer at Stadtwerke München (SWM)
Matthias Pöverlein is Sustainability Officer at Stadtwerke München (SWM). He has been working in the energy and utility sector for over 16 years, focusing on strategy, consulting, and recently sustainability. Matthias Pöverlein holds a degree in Business Administration.
- Nicola Monti – Chief Executive Officer of Edison Spa
Nicola Monti was born in Varese in 1962. He is married with two daughters. Ha graduated in Civil Hydraulic Engineering at the Politecnico of Milan. He was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Edison Spa in July 2019, Nicola Monti led the company in the restructuring of its industrial portfolio in line with the sustainable challenges of the energy sector, through the exit from the Exploration & Production business, the diversification of the gas supply sources, the growth of renewable production and the strengthening of energy sales and services. He reinforced the ESG governance with a renewed commitment to the objectives of the United Nations Agenda and promoted the establishment of Edison Orizzonti Sociali (EOS), a non-profit foundation active in educational projects for young people of which he is President. He also chairs the Edison Foundation, one of the most influential economic research centers in Italy and is a member of various national and international associations. He joined Edison in 2000 as head of international development. In 2012 he assumed the position of Executive Vice President of the Exploration & Production Division and in 2017 he also led the Power Asset and Engineering Division of Edison. In previous work experiences he held various positions in other industrial groups, including 3 years in Argentina for Snam SpA and 2 years in South East Asia for Ansaldo Energia.
- Valerio Camerano - Managing Director at Algebris Investments, Independent member of the COIMA ESG City Impact Fund Steering Committee, Business Angel for Start Up and Professor at Luiss University in Rome
Valerio Camerano is Managing Director at Algebris Investments, where he leads the new Business Unit dedicated to the energy and environment transition. Working alongside the investment teams at Algebris Investments, he is currently focusing on the Italian market, with a view to expanding the investment offering and scope in the future. Valerio has gained major experience in the infrastructure, energy and environmentally-focused industries during his career. From 2014 to 2020, he was CEO of A2A Group, one of the prominent players in the Italian utilities and renewable energy industries. Before that, he held similar roles for over 10 years at Engie, Enel and Camuzzi and worked 10 years in the financial sector for Citibank. He is also an independent member of the COIMA ESG City Impact Fund Steering Committee, Business Angel for Start Up and Professor at Luiss University in Rome. Valerio graduated cum laude in Economics, Financial Engineering and Corporate Finance, at LUISS University in Rome. He attended an Executive Program at INSEAD. He is a passionate photographer, loves jazz, enjoys trekking and winess.
- Isabel Tomé Esteban – Head of Biodiversity & Natural Capital, Iberdrola (Spain)
Isabel Tomé has over 20 years’ experience in the environmental and sustainability field. As Head of Biodiversity and Natural Capital at Iberdrola, Isabel is responsible for the group's biodiversity and natural capital strategy and management. Her team promotes innovative projects for continuous improvement of measuring, protecting and reporting’ biodiversity and natural capital, supporting and coordinating Iberdrola’s regions in the implementation and in their initiatives. Isabel is an Agricultural Engineer from Madrid Polytechnic University and holds a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from Trinity College Dublin.
- Marco Lambertini – Convener of the Nature Positive Initiative
Marco Lambertini is the Convener of the Nature Positive Initiative, a coalition of leading global organisations in the field of sustainability.
Marco was WWF International Director General (2014-2022) and Special Envoy (2023). Before joining WWF he was CEO of BirdLife International.
Marco’s experience ranges from ecological field research to high level advocacy and international policy, nature reserve management, integrated conservation and development projects, NGO development, communications and campaigning.
Marco is a member of the China Council (CCICED), co-chair of the Nature Action 100 Science Council, a founding member of the Nature Action Agenda and the Friends of Ocean Action at WEF, former member of the UN Global Compact Board.
- Alberto Irace – Chief Executive Officer Alia Servizi Ambientali S.p.A., Multiutility Toscana
Alberto Irace is Chief Executive Officer Alia Servizi Ambientali S.p.A. Multiutility Toscana providing primary services with focus in waste, water and energy sectors in Tuscany and other central Italian regions. Alberto took on the challenge of developing the Tuscany Multiutility, transforming it into a key player in energy transition and environmental stewardship. He has been steering the corporate strategy to capitalize on synergies and to realign objectives towards sustainable practices and to set the stage for highly sustainable transformation. Collaborated, as an independent, to rescue this distressed power company Sorgenia S.p.A. Previously as a CEO of Acea, Publiacqua and Ingegnerie Toscane, he successfully steered major enterprises to impressive profit growth, cost savings, and increased shareholder dividends.
- Eva Mayerhofer – Head of the Environment Policy and Lead Biodiversity Specialist of the European Investment Bank
Eva Mayerhofer is the Head of the Environment Policy and Lead Biodiversity Specialist of the European Investment Bank. She leads the EIB’s efforts to support EU and international biodiversity policies; develop business models and financing instruments to support nature-positive investments and drive natural capital transformation. Prior to joining the EIB she was an environment specialist at the Asian Development Bank. She has over 20 years of experience in environmental impact assessment, natural resource management and biodiversity conservation and has worked extensively across Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa with various development agencies and projects.
- Marco Santori – Board member of Alce Nero SPA and promoter of bio-economy projects and an organic biodistrict in Lazio
Marco Santori graduated in mechanical engineering from the University of Padua. From 1992 to 1995, he participated in an agricultural development project in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. He then worked as an engineer at Buhler until 2000. From 2001 to 2020, Marco managed and promoted ethical finance instruments in Italy and abroad, collaborating with international organizations (UN, EU, FAO). He is a board member of Alce Nero SPA and since 2016, a promoter of bio-economy projects and an organic biodistrict in Lazio.
- Raffaella Moro – CEO at REair
Raffaella Moro graduated in Economics and Business, with an Executive Master in Sustainability Strategy and Governance at SDA Bocconi, was recognized among the Top 100 Managers 2021 by Forbes Italia. She is CEO at REair, an innovative startup in the field of nanotechnology for the reduction of pollutants, she started her career at KPMG and then become General Manager of the Ambrogio Moro S.p.A., active in the energy field. With a strong passion for renewable energies and energy efficiency, she took over the management of Sofisolar Swiss (now Gewiss Swiss) in 2013 and founded REair in 2019, consolidating her expertise in sustainable technologies.
Watch highlights from last year's edition below and browse through the panel sessions.
Visit last year's dedicated page to learn more about the 2023 event.
Keynote speech by Telmo Pievani, full Professor at the Department of Biology, University of Padua - watch the video
Panel 1 - The road ahead: Safeguarding the climate in troubling times - watch the video
Keynote speech by Matteo Ward - CEO and Co-founder of WRÅD - watch the video
Panel 2 - The social debate: Putting the "S" centre stage - watch the video
Panel 3 - Bolstering biodiversity and shifting to the circular economy - watch the video
Discover more about our approach to ESG and Sustainability by visiting the dedicated sections on our website (see below).
A selection of our recent sustainability publications, including our 2023 Integrated Report, can be found here.
