UNiting Business LIVE Australia 2026: Sustainability in Action
Business powering global action on climate, nature and human rights
- DATE: 13-14 May 2026
- VENUE: Jones Bay Wharf, Piers 19-21, 26/32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
About the event
UNiting Business LIVE Australia convenes Australian and international C-Suite, board directors and sustainability professionals to tackle the defining challenges of business resilience in an age of geopolitical uncertainty.
By diving into material climate and nature risks, shifting trade relationships, supply chain impacts, meaningful engagement with First Nations communities, and new climate governance requirements, Australia’s senior business leaders will work together to drive practical sustainability action for the private sector—in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the SDGs.
In 2026, Australia will take centre stage globally as it assumes the Presidency for Negotiations at COP31, placing Australian business at the heart of international climate decision-making. As governments set the direction, the private sector will be critical in turning ambition into action—on climate, nature and resilience. UNiting Business LIVE Australia is a key platform for shaping business priorities ahead of COP31, aligning leadership with global goals, and ensuring Australian business voices drive credible, solutions-focused outcomes.
Join us at UNiting Business LIVE Australia to help shape the road to COP31—and the future of sustainable business.
Need help convincing your boss? We’ve made it easy for you – download our template letter to help you convince your organisation to send you to the leading sustainability event of the year.
Why attend:
- Participant-led, partner-supported. Independently curated, credible, and impactful content. Speaking opportunities are never sold, ensuring discussions remain free from promotional influence, making our partnerships more meaningful and our conversations more valuable.
- Explore intersectionality. Go beyond silos to understand how climate, nature, governance and human rights intersect—and where collective action can drive the greatest impact.
- Candid conversations. Hear honest insights from experienced leaders, including the challenges, trade‑offs and lessons learned on the path to sustainability leadership.
- Technical and actionable solutions. Practical insights to help your organisation power meaningful action on climate, nature, governance and human rights.
- Contribute to the global climate agenda. With Australia leading negotiations at COP31, lend your business voice to shaping global climate and nature outcomes.
- Build cross-sector connections. Network beyond sustainability teams—connecting with finance, governance, risk, strategy and human rights leaders.
- Challenge your thinking. Test the business case for sustainability in a safe, informed environment and learn how peers communicate the value of change.
Topics include
- Climate, nature and human rights risk
- Net zero and nature-positive transitions
- Supply chains and trade resilience
- Governance, disclosure and investment
- First Nations engagement and place-based relationships
- Business leadership on the road to COP31
Speakers
Why UNiting Business LIVE Australia matters:
- Risk management in a fractured world: Resilient companies need to navigate supply chain disruption, physical and transition risks, place-based relationships, resource competition, and political instability.
- Global credibility: With scrutiny on greenwashing, human rights and governance rising, learn how to sustain trust in your organisation at home and abroad.
- Strategic foresight: Move beyond identifying risks and operationalise opportunities by translating global sustainability trends into local advantage and boardroom strategy.
Program
Program subject to change, speakers coming soon
DAY 1 – 13 May 2026
Time
Session
Room
Registration
Welcome to Country
Uniting business across borders: A special international address
Welcome to Uniting Business Live 2026
Keynote: Business risk, resilience & Australian economic opportunity
In the words of UN Secretary General, António Guterres, the “era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived.” This session will explore how climate-related risks—such as extreme weather, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical instability—are shaping Australia’s national security and economic resilience. It will highlight the strategic opportunities for Australian industries to lead in climate adaptation, clean technology, nature-positive investment, and with global resilience initiatives and frameworks.
- David Higgins, Division Head, Division Head, International Climate and Energy at Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
Keynote: Tomorrow’s Corporation: Engine for a regenerative economy
- Pavan Sukhdev, CEO, GIST Impact; Former President, WWF International; UNEP Goodwill Ambassador
As UN Global Compact leader Sanda Ojiambo reminds us, “businesses cannot act independently of their environments” — a clear call for companies to embed nature at the core of long-term value creation. Likewise, this keynote will explore how Australian and global businesses can redesign governance, incentives, and value chains to align profit with nature-positive outcomes.
Echoing the vision of Corporation 2020, this session highlights natural capital accounting as a rising strategic priority — while also showing how integrating nature into financial decisions boosts resilience, strengthens stewardship, and meets growing investor and market expectations through emerging natural-capital metrics and tools.
Lunch & networking
Uniting business across borders: A special international address
Championing climate action: Australia & the Pacific on the global stage
Vishal Prasad (Virtual), Director, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change
The 2025 International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on Climate Change provided a landmark interpretation of obligations under international law. The opinion, while non-binding, carries profound implications for the private sector. Notably, the opinion states that countries have obligations under international law – through treaties like the Paris Agreement – to protect climate systems and prevent significant harm. This special address will explore climate action for the private sector in light of the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change.
Fireside Chat: The forefront of nature-positive business: Reimagining nature risk and resilience
The global spotlight is increasingly on nature & biodiversity, and the private sector is accelerating nature-positive action as part of Target 15 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework (GBF) – often referred to as the Paris Agreement for nature and biodiversity. Likewise, domestically, there is an opportunity for Australian businesses and investors to capture this global moment on the world’s stage and tackle biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
This session will provide a space to reimagine private sector engagement with nature. In doing so, this session will address the complex dimensions of nature-positive and socially responsible business practice; explore the rationale and pragmatics of putting nature on the balance sheet; and work through real-life examples of meaningful engagement with impacted communities.
- Ivo Zhao, CEO MMG Limited
- Rayne van den Berg, Chief Value Officer, Value Australia
- Alexandra Banks, EY Global Nature Lead; Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY Australia (Moderator)
Panel: Embedding respect for country and culture in Australia’s transition
COP30 reinforced the global importance of Indigenous leadership in climate action. It delivered historic land-tenure commitments and a pledge to support Indigenous land rights and stewardship. Further, five indicators focused on respect for cultural heritage were included within the Global Goal on Adaptation, highlighting the importance of Indigenous, Traditional and other local knowledges. We expect COP31 to build on these advances.
This session will explore real-life examples of approaches being taken in Australia to embed First Nations-led cultural heritage standards into transition-related governance, strategy, operations and risk management. In particular, we will examine how the Dhawura Ngilan (Remembering Country) Business and Investor Initiative supports businesses and investors in Australia to translate ambition into tangible action that is respectful, collaborative and impactful.
- Roger Cameron, Investment Director, Silva Capital
More speakers coming soon
Afternoon tea
Uniting business across borders: A special international address
Leadership for sustainable business transformation
Executive panel: Driving sustainability through NEDs, CEOs & CSOs
In the process of advancing sustainability leadership and long-term value creation, boards and executives are navigating complex geopolitical dynamics – such as trade tensions, resource security, and climate diplomacy.
This session will spotlight organisational leadership in conversation – including the board, the CEO and C-suite – to deliver practical insights for executive leadership action, including evolving business to integrate ESG priorities; managing stakeholder expectations; managing the trade-offs across climate, nature and human rights; creating a culture of effective communication that extends beyond the executive team; and turning good governance into the resilient corporate strategies that foster courage, integrity and leadership in turbulent times.
- Darrell Wade, Co-founder & Chair, Intrepid Travel; Chair, Philanthropy Australia
- Mirja Viinanen, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Australia
- Pavan Sukhdev, CEO, GIST Impact; Former President, WWF International; UNEP Goodwill Ambassador
- Trish Pegorer, Managing Director, Mutti Australia
- Kate Dundas, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Australia (Moderator)
Welcome reception
Leadership Dinner: Executive actions for sustainable business (invitation only)
This invite-only dinner brings together Australia’s leading business executives to unlock mechanisms for driving sustainable business action in a rapidly evolving economy and dynamically shifting geopolitical landscape.
DAY 2 – 14 May 2026
Time
Session
Room
Registration
Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country
Keynote: Sustainable business leadership for climate action: Navigating the geopolitical storm
An increasingly turbulent geopolitical landscape highlights the need for truly resilient leadership. This address explores how global businesses are stepping up to lead on climate action with commercial strategies to drive the SDGs and align to the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Keynote: The power of partnership: Delivering climate action through COP31
- Kesaya Baba, Senior Manager, COP31 Strategy and Partnerships, WWF Australia
This address explores the evolution of the UNFCCC Conference of Parties, highlighting the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in both negotiated ambition and implementing solutions for people and the planet. From the Pacific securing the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5°C, to Australian solutions such as the Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders Alliance (MECLA), to COP30 President Brazil’s call for a global mutirão (collective effort), this address calls on the private sector to drive integrated action for a resilient, just and sustainable global economy, in Australia, the Pacific, Türkiye and beyond.
Uniting business across borders: A special international address
The economics of climate risk management and business resilience
- Günther Thallinger (Virtual), Allianz SE Board Member.
- Fiona Reynolds, Chair, UN Global Compact Network Australia (Moderator)
Mobilising finance for sustainability action: Aligning Australian businesses and investors for global impact
The Climate Finance Roadmap provides a framework to scale climate finance to at least $1.3T annually by 2035. Australian super funds have a large role to play, with some of the most advanced levers for climate impact in the world. However, while most of the larger funds have net-zero targets, actual capital allocation to climate solutions remains low.
This session will help businesses better understand the role that super funds can play in driving sustainability initiatives, which includes engagement with boards and management for better ESG performance; removing fiscal bottlenecks for scaling sustainable business practice; opportunities alongside capital allocation for low-carbon and nature-positive business; and how regulatory clarity can facilitate business and investor engagement in emissions, nature and human rights.
- Adam Roberts, Head of Private Markets, Australian Ethical Investment
- Kate Turner, Global Head of Responsible Investment, First Sentier Group
- Michaela Jamison, Head of ESG Research, Jarden
- Fiona Reynolds, Chair, UN Global Compact Network Australia (Moderator)
Morning tea
Concurrent sessions:
Beyond net zero: Raising ambitions and driving action for a decarbonised world
Amid increasing global energy security concerns, a new net-zero economy is emerging. Simultaneously, the discussion around what “net zero” looks like for business – in the context of a global net-zero transition – is increasingly in the spotlight. Notably, net zero, as defined in IPCC, refers to a ‘balance between anthropogenic emissions’ and the removal of those emissions, at a global scale. Moreover, in order to align as closely to the targets of the Paris Agreement as possible, the IPCC explains that hard-to-abate sectors will take much longer to decarbonise and will need both counterbalance with net-negative sectors and incorporate carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects.
This deep-dive session discusses the business risks, opportunities and trade-offs in the progression to a decarbonised economy, while unpacking the term net zero as it relates to other terms such as real zero, total zero and absolute zero. It will also seek to unpack the feasibility of a net-zero economy alongside Australia’s most recent Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), while also addressing how to scale net-negative business engagement and CDR projects.
- Christina Hobbs, General Manager, Advocacy, Future Group
- Darryl Stucky, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Lendlease
- Nicki Hutley, Councillor – Economics, Climate Council
- Dr Tim Nelson, Associate Professor, Griffith University; Former Chair, National Electricity Market Review
- Dr Evan B Center, Head of Environment and Climate, UN Global Compact Network Australia (Moderator)
Towards a just transition: A deep dive into placed-based transition planning in Australia
As recognised in the Preamble of the Paris Agreement, the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and nature positive future relies on a society that is fair, inclusive and leaves no one behind. Inroads are now being made towards a globally decarbonised economy, and attention to the potential implications for Indigenous Peoples, workers and other communities is growing. This deep-dive session considers tangible actions and practices that can help establish robust foundations for a just transition.
This session will commence by considering shifts in the global landscape as well as policy frameworks and standards that are shaping efforts by business and government to contribute to a just transition. It will then unpack practical insights from the ongoing and collaborative process to support the town of Collie, Western Australia, to transition from dependence on the coal industry and deliver a sustainable future for the community and its workers. We will consider the extent to which the Collie transition process offers a ‘blueprint’ for other communities at-risk from the transition, as well as lessons learned that could inform future transition-planning processes elsewhere in Australia and around the world.
- Darcy Gunning, Campaigns Organiser, Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union
- Liz Baggetta, Head of Transition, Synergy
- Sharan Burrow AC, Chair, Climateworks Centre; Former General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation
- Catie Shavin, Head of Business and Human Rights, UN Global Compact Network Australia (Moderator)
More speakers coming soon
Lunch & networking
Concurrent sessions:
Stepping into the adaptation gap: Ambitious business action for global impact
All countries are now facing the reality of climate impacts. As action to reduce GHG emissions continues to lag, the need for adaptation measures continues to grow. 172 countries, including Australia, have national adaptation policies, strategies or plans in place. Nevertheless, the Paris Agreement contemplates that Developed countries will provide financial support to developing countries, which are least responsible for the climate crisis, but often on the front lines of its impacts.
Notably, Small Island Developing States – including some of Australia’s closest neighbours – are already experiencing more frequent and intense extreme weather events, sea level rise, and ocean warming and acidification. The cost of adaptation finance needed in developing countries, has been modelled at more than US$310 billion per year in 2035. Meanwhile, international public adaptation finance flows to developing countries were US$26 billion in 2023: down from US$28 billion the previous year.
The session will explore the needs, as well as how the private sector can do more – backed by targeted policy action and blended finance solutions. Indeed, there is an urgent need for the world to significantly increase adaptation funding—from both public and private sources – while avoiding debt that further burdens vulnerable nations. The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP’s) Adaptation Gap Report estimates the potential for private sector investment in national public adaptation priorities at approximately US$50 billion per year – a big step up from the current financing of roughly US$5 billion.
- Beck Dawson, Practitioner in Residence, Henry Halloran Urban & Regional Research Initiative
- Mark Siebentritt, Global Practice Lead, Climate & Nature, Edge Impact
- Nicole Mitchell, Branch Head, National Adaptation Policy Branch, Climate Change Policy, Adaptation and Risk Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
- Dan Wilcock, Head of Sustainability Governance, UN Global Compact Network Australia (Moderator)
Speaker coming soon
Transparency & transformation: Leveraging sustainability reporting for impact
Australia has a chance to lead the world through truly impactful reporting practices. “Strengthening transparency and accountability is essential to unlocking the full economic potential of climate action, here in Australia and all around the world,” remarked UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Steill in his recent mission to Australia.
This deep dive session explores how businesses are leveraging sustainability reporting frameworks to drive transparency, accountability, and most importantly transformation. Drawing from the success of the Sustainability Reporting Community of Practice – done in partnership with ASX and CA ANZ – this session dives into what businesses are learning from first reporters; how they are using reporting practices to clarify related risks and opportunities; key trends and issues from global reporting regulations, frameworks and technological advancements in AI; and the messaging required to internally leverage impactful reporting for good governance.
Opening remarks:
- Karen McWilliams FCA, Board Director and Chair of Finance Audit and Risk Committee, UN Global Compact Network Australia; Sustainability and Business Reform Leader, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Panel:
- Anna Stewart, Head of Sustainability, Strategy & Advisory, Coles Group; Director, UN Global Compact Network Australia
- Jack Bisset, Climate Implementation Lead, Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB)
- Lachlan Feggans, Senior Director, Sustainability, ESG and Regeneration, Brambles
- Rebecca Gunn, Senior Manager ESG, AIA
- Samantha Sing Key, Partner, Sustainability Reporting Advisory, Grant Thornton Australia
- Joan Ko, Global Climate and Sustainability Leader, Arup (Moderator)
Uniting business across borders: A special international address
Charting the Path to COP31: Turning Ambition into Action
- Melda Çele, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Türkiye (Virtual)
Closing fireside chat: A business call to action
In our closing session we reflect on key takeaways throughout the conference, including outputs for government, business and investors to drive progress towards the SDGs.
Closing afternoon tea
Conference highlights
- CEO forums exploring responsible leadership in an era of fractured geopolitics.
- Boardroom exchanges and insights on governance, disclosure, regulation, and investor expectations.
- Hear from international leaders who are driving SDG progress for climate, nature and more.
- Forward-looking sessions translating outcomes into business transformation and market advantage.
- Dedicated sessions with world-renowned technical expertise for sustainability professionals.
- Case studies from ASX leaders and global peers on embedding resilience and accountability.
- Cross-sector dialogues on business’ role in strengthening institutions, communities, and trust.
- Connect to the world’s foremost climate conversations – such as the UN Climate Conference (COP) and UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Join the movement
By attending UNiting Business LIVE Australia, you become part of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative and demonstrate your commitment to responsible business at a time when leadership matters most.
UNiting Business LIVE Australia is designed by business, for business.
Proudly independent, the program is shaped by continuous feedback from participating organisations to ensure it remains relevant, credible, and impactful. While we are supported by partners, speaking opportunities are never sold, and partners do not sponsor sessions in which they participate—protecting the integrity of the content and keeping discussions free from promotional influence.
This independence makes our partnerships more meaningful and our conversations more valuable.
UNiting Business LIVE Australia delivers high-quality debate, meaningful connections, and practical outcomes you can act on with confidence.
Your attendance keeps this platform independent, credible, and focused on impact. The UNGCNA is supported by its events to drive strategic long-term change.
Indeed, when you attend the UNiting Business LIVE Australia, you’re not just joining another corporate event. You’re backing your own peak body, the one that exists to elevate Australian business leadership on sustainability.
Secure your ticket today and stand with us.
Lead, Learn, Connect – our conference pillars
Through the three conference pillars – lead, learn and connect – the UNiting Business LIVE Australia provides specialised streams designed to support Australian business leaders as they drive sustainability action across sectors.
Lead: Position your business as a sustainability leader, setting benchmarks and inspiring a ripple effect of positive change across your sector.
Learn: Propel your career and your company’s sustainability agenda forward with cutting-edge knowledge, insights and technical guidance from those at the forefront of change.
Connect: Cultivate a vast network of like-minded professionals, thought leaders and changemakers dedicated to shaping the future of sustainable business.
Partners
Principal partner
EY
Principal partner
Today’s sustainability challenges are complex and evolving. The EY organisation is deeply committed to our clients’ sustainability journeys, collaborating on strategies and solutions that accelerate action, scale innovation and drive meaningful impact. With our full spectrum of sustainability services, anchored in science, enabled by tech and data, we help clients build the confidence to act.
Major partner
Xero
SME Access Fund
Xero is a global small business platform that helps customers supercharge their business by bringing together the most important small business tools, including accounting, payroll and payments — on one platform. Xero’s powerful platform helps customers automate routine tasks, get timely insights, and connects them with their data, their apps, and their accountant or bookkeeper so they can focus on what really matters. Trusted by millions of small businesses and accountants and bookkeepers globally, Xero makes life better for people in small business, their advisors, and communities around the world.
Networking function partner
Intrepid
Leadership Dinner
Run by travellers, for travellers, we are the world’s largest provider of adventures travel experiences, carrying over 250,000 passengers a year. Our brands offer over 1,000 itineraries on every continent, cater for all ages, budgets and appetites for adventure. Our business is made of Intrepid Travel, Peregrine, Geckos Adventures, Adventure Tours Australia, Urban Adventures, Peak DMC, and the Family Adventure Company travel brands, along with our non-profit, The Intrepid Foundation.
Our Vision: To change the way people see the world.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) partner
Informed 365
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Empowering ethical supply chains is one of the most important strategies to end poverty, but also one of the most important drivers of sustainable development. At Informed 365 we connect the dots by offering a ‘single-source-of-truth’ tech platform that uncovers the most comprehensive supplier and third party insights to streamline ESG reporting requirements. As a driver of collaboration and innovation in the ESG, Ethical Sourcing and Modern Slavery spaces, Informed 365 works with the workforce, NGOs, governments, industry bodies, academia, and ethical sourcing experts to support organisations to make better, more informed decisions around their supply chains and identify opportunities to create real impact.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) partner
Green2View
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Green2View is an Australian technology company turning complex ESG, climate, and supply chain data into decision-ready intelligence — enabling organisations to embed sustainability into strategy, manage transition and risk in-house, and move from reporting to action. We help businesses strengthen governance, improve resilience, and create long-term value.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) partner
Edge Impact
SDG 13: Climate Action
Established in 2008, Edge is a specialist sustainability advisory company focussed on Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Our teams are based in Australia, New Zealand the US and Chile.
We exist to help our clients create value from tackling one of world’s most fundamental challenges: creating truly sustainable economies and societies. We do this by combining science, strategy and storytelling in a way that gives our clients the confidence to take ambitious action, and do well by doing good.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) partner
Better Sydney
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Better Sydney provides training, enables collaboration, and supports best practice around sustainable supply chains, human rights and modern slavery solutions to help you work better. With years of experience and a network of experts we raise awareness, inspire action and develop solutions to move your organisation towards a more sustainable future.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) partner
Bribery Prevention Network
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The Bribery Prevention Network is a public-private partnership that brings together business, civil society, academia and government with the shared goal of supporting Australian business to prevent, detect and address bribery and corruption and promote a culture of compliance.
We offer a free, online portal of accessible, relevant and reliable resources, curated by Australia’s leading anti-bribery experts, to support Australian business to manage bribery and corruption risks in domestic and international markets.
Community Supporters
Who attends:
UNiting Business LIVE Australia attendees represent every part of the sustainability value chain including senior decision makers, sustainability practitioners, technical specialists, advisors, communications professionals, small and medium enterprise leaders, government, civil society and academic leaders.
These are our changemakers.
- C-suite and boards – dedicated sessions that capture emerging opportunities in sustainability; exclusive spaces to connect with fellow executive leaders; training and guidance on sustainable governance.
- Sustainability professionals and changemakers – practical tools and provocative conversations that deliver impact; extensive time to connect, network and collaborate with cutting-edge sustainability changemakers; regenerative spaces for sustainability leaders fighting for change.
- Small and medium enterprise leaders
- Government, civil society and academic leaders
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Partnership enquiries
For all partnership enquiries please contact: partnerships@unglobalcompact.org.au
Topics include
- Climate, nature and human rights risk
- Net zero and nature-positive transitions
- Supply chains and trade resilience
- Governance, disclosure and investment
- First Nations engagement and place-based relationships
- Business leadership on the road to COP31
Event map
Delegate Passes
Partnership enquiries
For all partnership enquiries please contact: partnerships@unglobalcompact.org.au
Natasha: 0409 790 530
Abdul: 0433 159 345
