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ESG in Italy - Embracing sustainability

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ESG has grown as a central topic in the agendas of major organisations, worldwide as in Italy. 

The discussions on such themes is indeed “hot”, but what are organisations really doing to this end? A practical response to such themes is not always easy to be found, as a lack of proper guidance makes it hard for companies to direct investments to specific ESG targets.

  • Is this lack going to jeopardise a real shift by decision makers in this direction?
  • What do good practices look like, and how do you achieve tangible results?

Our new interviews’ collection, which goes hand in hand with the Firm’s attention to embrace sustainability and recognise and address environmental, social and governance risks, tries to respond to all these questions. We interviewed major experts from major companies in the Italian landscape by asking where they are right now and where they are going.

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ESG
Episode 40
Gianluca Vairani, Kryalos Sgr

Francesco Calabria, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, interviews Gianluca Vairani, Senior Managing Director - Transaction Management and Head of ESG at Kryalos SGR, on Kryalos’ sustainability strategy and how it impacts its real estate business and investment choices.

Episode 39
Francesca Rambaudi, Amplifon

Federica Barbero, Head of Employment and Incentives in Italy, interviews Francesca Rambaudi, Global Investor Relations & Sustainability Sr. Director at Amplifon, on the Company's sustainability journey and the initiatives implemented with regard to diversity equity & inclusion and those with a specific focus on social aspects.

Episode 38
Claudia Montanari, Moretti S.p.A.

Francesco Calabria, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, interviews Claudia Montanari, Innovation & ESG Strategy Director at Moretti S.p.A., on the Group’s stance on ESG issues and the initiatives implemented to achieve their sustainability goals.

Episode 37
Francesco Lasaponara, Fondazione Lab00 ETS

Marco Visaggio, Co-Head of BD - Western Europe and Senior Business Development and Marketing Manager of Linklaters Italy, in a conversation with Francesco Lasaponara, President of Fondazione Lab00 ETS, on the SpesaSospesa.org initiative, the beneficiaries of the project and the related reduction of waste and environmental impact.

Episode 36
Francesco Maggi, Foresight Group

Benedetta Marino, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, talks with Francesco Maggi, Investment Director of Foresight Group, about the sustainability priorities of the Group and the main challenges and opportunities facing the finance sector.

Episode 35
Margaryta Hnatenko, Prologis

Francesco Calabria, Managing Associate, interviews Margaryta Hnatenko, Real Estate & Customer Experience Manager of Prologis, about their stance on ESG issues and the initiatives implemented to achieve Prologis’ sustainability goals.

Episode 34
Saverio Tridico, Nexi Group

Laura Le Masurier, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, in a conversation with Saverio Tridico, Director Corporate & External Affairs of Nexi Group, about the sustainability priorities of Nexi and the main opportunities and challenges of the digital payments industry in achieving net zero.

Episode 33
Claudio Spadacini, Energy Dome

Benedetta Marino, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, talks with Claudio Spadacini, Founder and CEO of Energy Dome, about the technology developed by the Company for long-term energy storage, the main obstacles for the implementation of storage systems in Italy and the possible solutions.

Episode 32
Katy Hogg and Laura Belardinelli, Galileo

Alessandro Gemmo, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, in a conversation with Katy Hogg, Chief Operating Office of Galileo, and Laura Belardinelli, General Counsel of Galileo, about the objectives and project opportunities of the Company, the differences between the Italian market and other European markets, and the growing interest in the development of battery storage and green hydrogen production systems.

Episode 31
Giampietro Nattino, NH Hotel Group/Minor Hotels

Francesco Calabria, Managing Associate, interviews Giampietro Nattino, Development Director Italy of NH Hotel Group/Minor Hotels, on the sustainability trends in the tourism sector, the increasing attention of customers to these topics and the main initiatives implemented by the group to achieve their sustainability goals.

Episode 30
Giovanna Furlanetto, Furla

Lucia Ciocarlan and Mara Ruberto, members of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, interview Giovanna Furlanetto, President of the Furla Foundation, on the initiatives taken to integrate ESG issues into Furla and future sustainability goals of the Company.

Episode 29
Michel Cohen, DentalPro

Benedetta Marino and Matteo Farneti, members of the ESG group of Linklaters Italia, spoke to Michel Cohen, Founder and CEO of DentalPro Group, about the initiatives undertaken by the company to pursue sustainability and corporate social responsibility objectives as well as initiatives related to reducing the environmental impact of their activities.

Episode 28
Armida Gigante, Medtronic

Lucia Ciocarlan and Paolo Bertolini, members of the ESG group of Linklaters Italy, spoke with Armida Gigante, Sustainability, Open Innovation & Stakeholder Experience Lead at Medtronic, about the company’s sustainability strategy and the involvement of employees in the implementation of sustainability priorities.

Episode 27
Anna Scavuzzo, City of Milan

Manuela Caccialanza spoke with Anna Scavuzzo, Vice Mayor of the City of Milan and in charge of the Food Policy, about the steps that led to adopt such a policy and about promoting a sustainable food system.

Episode 26
Emilio Calicchio, E.ON

Alessandro Tanno, Practice Coordinator of Fintech and Digital Transformation Group of Linklaters Italy, spoke to Emilio Calicchio, Digital Director at E.ON about digitization at the service of energy efficiency and the future for energy communities in Italy.

Episode 25
Alan Gallicchio, Ecomate

Alessandro Tanno, Practice Coordinator of Fintech and Digital Transformation Group of Linklaters Italy, spoke to Alan Gallicchio, Founder of Ecomate about the recipe for a competitive ESG suite and the dynamic rating model developed by the company.

Episode 24
Lorenzo Rigatti, BlockInvest

Alessandro Tanno, Practice Coordinator of Fintech and Digital Transformation Group of Linklaters Italy, spoke to Lorenzo Rigatti, Founder and CEO of BlockInvest about the added value that blockchain technology can bring to the ESG invest process.

Episode 23
Giovanni Cartapani, Glac-UP

Alessandro Tanno, Practice Coordinator of Fintech and Digital Transformation Group of Linklaters Italy, spoke to Giovanni Cartapani, Founder of Glac-UP about the creation and mission of the first Italian start up for the safeguard and enhancement of alpine glaciers.

Episode 22
Anna Maria Pacini, DeA Capital Real Estate SGR S.p.A.

Francesco Calabria and Alessandro Rossi  spoke to Anna Maria Pacini, Head of ESG Management at DeA Capital Real Estate SGR S.p.A. about ESG parameters and their influence in the policies, investments and client relationship management for a lead player as DeA Capital Real Estate SGR S.p.A.

Episode 21
Duncan Burt, National Grid Group

Tessa Lee, partner and our Co-Head of the ESG group in Italy and Lucia Ciocarlan, Managing Associate and member of the ESG working group of Linklaters have interviewed Duncan Burt, the Chief Sustainability Officer at National Grid Group, about National Grid’s role as partner of COP26 and the challenges in connection with energy transition and decarbonisation.

Episode 20
Catriona Graham, British Consul General in Milan

Benedetta Marino and Alessandro Gemmo, managing associates and member of the ESG working group of Linklaters, have interviewed Catriona Graham, British Consul General in Milan and Director of the Department for International Trade in Italy on the challenges for governments during the negotiations and what a satisfactory outcome of COP26 might look like, as well as measures to be taken to support the energy transition of developing countries.

Episode 19
Marco Tonegutti, Boston Consulting Group 

Marco Visaggio, Co-Head of BD – Western Europe, and Alessandro Gemmo, member of the ESG working group at Linklaters spoke to Marco Tonegutti, Managing Director and Senior Partner Boston Consulting Group (BCG) about the role of BCG as consultancy partner of COP26 and the impact of the Race to Zero on economic operators.

Episode 18
Antonio Villafranca, ISPI

Alessandro Gemmo, Managing Associate, and Elisa Maria Volontè, associate and members of the ESG working group of Linklaters, have interviewed Antonio Villafranca – ISPI Director of Studies and Co-Head of the Europe and Global Governance Centre on ISPI's role as coordinator and chair of Think20 (T20) Italy during the Italian G20 presidency, the impact of climate change in the current geopolitical context and the possible outcomes of COP26.

Episode 17
Luca Lunari, BNP Paribas Italy

Lucia Ciocarlan, Managing Associate and member of the ESG working group of Linklaters, has interviewed Luca Lunari, Head of Export Finance Italy of BNP Paribas Italia, about the topic of sustainability in the export finance sector, its challenges and opportunities.

Episode 16
Enrico Lucciola, SACE

Benedetta Marino, managing associates and member of the ESG working group of Linklaters, has interviewed Enrico Lucciola, Head of Political Risks of SACE S.p.A., about SACE’s “Green Guarantee” (Garanzia Green), with a focus on the features of this product and its development in the Italian market.

Episode 15
Meg Nicolaysen, UK Export Finance

Tessa Lee, partner and our Co-Head of the ESG group in Italy, spoke with Meg Nicolaysen, Head of Climate Change at UK Export Finance about UK Export Finance’s new 2021 – 2024 Climate Change Strategy to continue supporting UK businesses whilst minimising its impact towards climate change.

Episode 14
Giulio Giannini, DS Smith

Paolo Bertolini, managing associate, and Mara Ruberto, associate and members of the ESG group at Linklaters, have interviewed Giulio Giannini, Responsabile Affari Legali e Compliance at DS Smith about “circular economy” and the challenges they are facing to achieve their sustainability goals.

Episode 13
Marusca Giacomini; Edoardo Vaquer; Chiara Montalbano, Microsoft Italia

Federica Barbero, Head of Employment and Incentives in Italy and Mara Ruberto, associate and members of the ESG working group of Linklaters, have interviewed Marusca Giacomini, HR Manager Italy – Switzerland – Austria, Edoardo Vaquer, Customer Success Account Manager e Sustainability Community Lead and Chiara Montalbano – HR Shared Services at Microsoft Italia about their Diversity & Inclusion strategy, with particular focus on disabled employees.

Episode 12
Gianluca Gramegna, ERG

Federica Barbero, Head of Employment and Incentives in Italy and Lucia Ciocarlan, managing associate and members of the ESG working group of Linklaters, have interviewed Gianluca Gramegna, Head of Environment, Social & Governance at ERG S.p.A. about the Group’s new 2021-2025 ESG Plan.

Episode 11
Marta Schiraldi, Nestlé Group

Paolo Bertolini, managing associate and member of the ESG group at Linklaters, has interviewed Marta Schiraldi, Safety, Health, Environment and Sustainability Head of the Nestlé Group in Italy.

Episode 10
Daniele Guarnieri, Nestlé Group

Matteo Farneti, managing associate and member of the ESG group at Linklaters, has interviewed Daniele Guarnieri, Director of Legal Affairs and Compliance of the Nestlé Group in Italy.

Episode 9
Francesca Fiore, CONSOB

Marta Fusco, associate and member of the ESG working group of Linklaters, has interviewed Francesca Fiore, head of companies supervision and protection of shareholders’ rights at CONSOB.

Episode 8
Francesco Surace, Georgeson

Marta Fusco, associate and member of the ESG working group of Linklaters, has interviewed Francesco Surace, head of Corporate Governance in Italy of Georgeson

Episode 7
Sergio Molisani, SNAM

Laura Le Masurier and Marta Fusco, members of the ESG working group of Linklaters, interviewed Sergio Molisani, Finance, Insurance and Tax Director & Senior Vice President International Assets at SNAM S.p.A., on SNAM's strategy in the field of sustainable finance.

Episode 6
Francis Ravano, ERG

As sustainability-linked financing transactions gain momentum in the Italian market, Lucia Ciocarlan and Benedetta Marino, managing associates and members of the ESG working group of Linklaters, have interviewed Francis Ravano, Head of Structured Finance at ERG S.p.A., on aspects related to Key Performance Indicators used by ERG for such type of transactions and the benefits resulting from implementing sustainable finance solutions in general.

Episode 5
Federica Calvetti, Deutsche Bank

Laura le Masurier, managing associate and member of the ESG working group of Linklaters, has interviewed Federica Calvetti, Head of ESG in EMEA at Deutsche Bank, on the growing interest in sustainable finance.

Episode 4
Daniela Fiorentino, UNICEF

In view of the imminent legislative interventions that the EU institutions should adopt on sustainable corporate governance and supply chain due diligence, Lucia Ciocarlan, Managing Associate and member of the ESG working group of Linklaters, interviewed Daniela Fiorentino, partnership specialist of UNICEF, currently involved in some projects in Ghana.

Episode 3
Silvia Mazzanti, Save The Duck

Paolo Bertolini, Head of Public Law and member of the ESG working group of Linklaters, interviewed Silvia Mazzanti, product and sustainability manager of Save The Duck S.p.A., on their views on sustainable corporate governance and supply chain due diligence.

Episode 2
Roberta Casali, Tages Capital SGR

In light of the imminent entry into force of Regulation 2019/2088 (the "SFDR Regulation"), our Financial Regulation Managing Associate Samuele Manfredo Pio interviews Roberta Casali, Chair of the Board of Directors of Tages Capital SGR S.p.A., an Italian asset management company that manages infrastructure funds with a focus on renewable energies, currently the second largest photovoltaic operator in Italy.

Episode 1
Enrico Camerini, BlackRock

Linda Taylor, our Co-Head of the ESG group in Italy, in a conversation with Enrico Camerini, Director, Head of Institutional Clients of iShares Italia, BlackRock, explores the initiatives put in place by BlackRock and the direction of investments towards financial products with ESG characteristics.

ESG Italy

Episode 26
Lelio Mazzarella, Fabrica Immobiliare SGR

Real Estate funds are increasingly incorporating the ESG transition in their strategies. When did ESG awareness and demands start to take root in the sector? Is the ESG momentum still thriving in light of recent geopolitical developments? Do ESG factors impact the return of investments, and how? We discussed these issues with an an expert in the field, Lelio Mazzarella – ESG & Risk Manager at Fabrica Immobiliare SGR – interviews by our Real Estate Managing Associate Francesco Calabria.

Episode 25
Matteo Ward, WRÅD

Matteo Farneti and Gaia Bozzolan, members of the ESG working group at Linklaters Italy, interview Matteo Ward, co-founder and CEO of WRÅD, about the challenges companies face in aligning their business with ESG standards and effectively communicating their efforts. They also explore the increasing attention from authorities concerning greenwashing and social washing in the fashion industry, alongside the impact of European regulatory measures such as the CSDD and the proposed green claims directive on future sustainability strategies.

Episode 24
Linklaters Perspective

Lucia Ciocarlan, Senior Managing Associate and member of the ESG working group at Linklaters Italy, with Claudia Skibniewski Álvarez and Clelia Felix, from the EU Law and Policy team at Linklaters Brussels discuss the upcoming trends and legislative proposals currently under discussion at the EU level in the ESG sector.

Episode 23
Paolo Salza, RINA

Federica Barbero, Head of Employment and Incentives in Italy, interviews Paolo Salza, Chief Risk, ESG & Compliance officer at RINA, on the initiatives implemented by the Company to achieve their sustainability goals.

Episode 22
Igor Suran, Parks - Liberi e Uguali

Mara Ruberto, managing associate of Linklaters Italy, discusses with Igor Suran, Executive Director at Parks - Liberi e Uguali, the cultural evolution of society with regards to diversity equity and inclusion and how companies should try to support their workforce with policies and initiatives that go beyond what is not provided for by the current Italian legal framework. 

Episode 21
Linklaters Perspective

Benedetta Marino, Managing Associate and member of the ESG working group at Linklaters Italy, in a conversation with Alexandra Nagy, Head of EU Law and Policy, and Claudia Skibniewski Alvarez, EU Law and Policy Advisor at Linklaters Brussels, explores the EU's ESG priorities, the trends driving the EU's ESG regulatory landscape and what lies ahead for the next 12 months.

Episode 20
Ivan Mazzoleni, Flowe

Marta Fusco, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, talks with Ivan Mazzoleni, Cultural Energy Orchestrator of Flowe, about Flowe's main sustainability objectives and the initiatives put in place to achieve them, how they are involving their stakeholders to meet sustainability goals, and the main challenges in achieving net zero.

Episode 19
Giorgio Tomassetti, Octopus Energy

Alessandro Gemmo, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, talks with Giorgio Tomassetti, CEO of Octopus Energy, about the objectives of the Company and the role of technology in accelerating the energy transition.

Episode 18
Paolo Vanoni, Alperia

Lucia Ciocarlan, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, discusses with Paolo Vanoni, Director Corporate Strategy of Alperia, about the initiatives taken by the Company for offsetting CO2 emissions and the strategies to mitigate the impact of the energy crisis, and the rising energy prices on the achievement of net zero targets to continue the energy transition.

Episode 17
Luca De Gaetano, Plastic Free

Samuele Manfredo Pio, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, in a conversation with Luca De Gaetano, President and Founder of Plastic Free, about the urgency to address the problem of plastic pollution and the main projects and initiatives they are carrying on to face it.

Episode 16
Federico Mallia, Dirac

Alessandro Tanno, Practice Coordinator of Fintech and Digital Transformation Group of Linklaters Italy, speaks to Federico Mallia, CEO and Co-Founder of Dirac, about the 'Albero' project, the nanotechnology behind it and how this technology can increase the sustainability scores of buildings, in particular for those from the hospitality sector.

Episode 15
Roberto Gavazzi, Boffi | DePadova

Benedetta Marino, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, talks with Roberto Gavazzi, CEO Boffi | DePadova about the meaning of sustainability in relation to a furniture product and the challenges of the future that a company operating in the design sector will have to face.

Episode 14
Walter Mariotti, Domus

Marta Fusco, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, interviews Walter Mariotti, Editorial Director of Domus, on the main initiatives taken by design companies to implement their ESG objectives and the changes to be expected in terms of sustainability strategies and management models driven by regulation and consumer expectations.

Episode 13
Angelo Trocchia, Safilo Group

Marta Fusco, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, interviews Angelo Trocchia, CEO, on the main initiatives taken by Safilo Group to implement its ESG objectives and the challenges that the ESG "journey" is posing.

Episode 12
Maria Sole Ferragamo, SO-LE Studio

Samuele Manfredo Pio, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, talks with Maria Sole Ferragamo Creative Director and Founder, about sustainability, 'upcycling' and how SO-LE Studio's business model could be replicable in the fashion industry.

Episode 11
Franco Mantero, Mantero Seta S.p.A.

Benedetta Marino, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, in a chat with Franco Mantero, Chairman of the Board, on sustainability, heritage and craftsmanship excellence in the textile sector.

Episode 10
Eleonora Giada Pessina, Pirelli & C.

Lucia Ciocarlan and Matteo Bencic, members of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, spoke to Eleonora Giada Pessina, Group Sustainability Officer of Pirelli & C. S.p.A., about the importance of sustainability for the Group and how it is fully integrated into its vision and strategies for growth, in all business areas and in all management decisions, everywhere in the world.

Episode 9
Tomaso Carraro and Camilla Marchiori, Gruppo Carraro

Marta Fusco, member of the ESG working group of Linklaters Italy, spoke to Tomaso Carraro, Vice Chairman & Chief CSR Officer, and Camilla Marchiori, CSR Development Manager of Gruppo Carraro, about the organization of Corporate Social Responsibility in Carraro and the issues and obstacles a company may face in introducing a CSR management model.

Episode 8
Fabio Ranghino, Ambienta

Alessandro Tanno Practice Coordinator of Fintech and Digital Transformation Group of Linklaters Italy, spoke to Fabio Ranghino, Partner and Head of Strategy & Sustainability of Ambienta about ESG financial products and sustainability as a driver of innovation in finance.

Episode 7
Carlo Vanini, Cushman & Wakefield

Gabriele Lopez and Francesco Macrì spoke to Carlo Vanini, Head of Capital Markets Italy at Cushman & Wakefield, about ESG trends in the Italian real estate market providing an overview of the current situation and some forecasts for the near future.

Episode 6
Linklaters Perspective

Federico Barbero, Head of Employment and Incentives in Italy, has interviewed Alexandra Beidas, Global Head of Employment and Incentives in London, Feriel Aliouchouche, Managing Associate Employment and Incentives in Paris and Laure de Panafieu, Head of Employment and Incentives in Singapore.

Episode 5
Piero Munari; Margherita Sacerdoti, Italian Investor Relations Association

Marta Fusco, associate and member of the ESG working group of Linklaters, has interviewed Piero Munari, Chairman of the Italian Investor Relations Association, and Margherita Sacerdoti, board member of the Italian Investor Relations Association.

Episode 4
Roberta Marracino, UniCredit

Federico Barbero, head of Employment and Incentives in Italy of Linklaters, has interviewed Roberta Marracino, Head of Group ESG Strategy and Impact Banking at UniCredit.

Episode 3
Nicole della Vedova, Enel

Linda Taylor, our co-head of Italian ESG practice, interviews Nicole della Vedova, Head of Corporate Finance, Enel. The interview focuses on Enel’s journey in the sustainable finance market and on sustainability-linked bonds.

Episode 2
Giulia Genuardi, Enel

Paolo Bertolini, our head of public law, interviews Giulia Genuardi, Head of Sustainability Planning and Performance Management, Enel. The interview, conducted in Italian, focuses on the hardship of balancing social/environmental aspects with commercial needs and the relevance of circular economy.

Episode 1
Giovanna Giusti del Giardino, Mediobanca Group

Paolo Bertolini, our head of public law, interviews Giovanna Giusti del Giardino, Head of Group Sustainability, Mediobanca Group. The interview, conducted in Italian, focuses on human rights, environment and sustainability and aims to cover, in a nutshell, what Mediobanca is doing to such extent.

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