As part of the 2020 Leaders Summit the Global Compact Network Australia (GCNA) convened Australian leaders for discussions on addressing climate change in times of crises and the role of bribery prevention and detection in building partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This virtual was event held over two days on 15 and 16 June and brought together global leaders from business, government, academia and civil society. The GCNA hosted a session from 8:00am – 10:00am on 16 June (AEST).

GCNA Executive Director, Kylie Porter introduced the session highlighting “It is important for business to lead the charge on the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that the purpose of the goals to leave no-one behind is not just aspirational.”

The session featured an opening address by John Thwaites, Professorial Fellow, Monash University, and Chair of Climate Works Australia and the Monash Sustainable Development Institute.

He noted that ‘’The Sustainable Development Goals provide a very good framework for planning the future. To start with they are a good to-do list of all the areas we need to cover to promote wellbeing, but more important they’re a way of ensuring that we are able to balance the potential trade-offs and maximise the synergies between the goals.”

The first panel discussion, Climate Action in Times of Crises, focused on the key role business has to play in sending strong market signals and supporting the scaling of innovative solutions that drive our economy towards net-zero — and whether climate action can maintain its position as a key priority during times of crises, such as a global pandemic.

Featured speakers included Andrew Penn, CEO of Telstra, Richard Yetsenga, Chief Economist at ANZ, Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the Climate Council and Gonzalo Munoz, High Level Champion for COP25.

A second session focused on the Role of Bribery Prevention and Detection in building partnerships for the SDGs and how, through addressing bribery and corruption, we are addressing the root causes of many social and environmental causes that challenge our world today.

Featured speakers included Tim Robinson, Chief Compliance Officer at BHP, Greg Hines, Superintendent at the Australian Federal Police, Serena Lillywhite, CEO at Transparency International Australia and James Campbell, Managing Associate at Allens.

GCNA Chair David Cooke closed the session saying, “Set the bar on all of the important aspects of the SDGs as high as possible as an individual you do have power, you can make a difference.”

Watch a recording of the session here.