As geopolitical tensions rise and regulatory frameworks become more fragmented, many executives are questioning how far their responsibility should extend across global value chains. This conversation explores where accountability really sits today and why the debate around human rights, competitiveness, and transparency is reaching an inflection point for global business.

Marcos Neto unpacks new research from UNDP that directly challenges the assumption that human rights due diligence comes at the expense of financial performance. Drawing on a multi year analysis of more than 200 global companies across sectors including apparel, extractives, automotive, ICT, and agriculture, he shares what the data actually shows and why ignoring human rights can pose a real risk to long term value creation.

Learn about:

• Human rights and financial performance Why companies with stronger human rights practices see higher returns on assets and why declining performance carries measurable financial risk

• The myth of lost competitiveness What the evidence says about investor reactions, cost concerns, and profitability

• From policy to decision making Why human rights only matter when embedded into core business processes rather than treated as a reporting exercise

• Regulation, investors, and accountability How responsibility is shaped not only by law but by stakeholder expectations and risk management

• Emerging human rights risks What leaders should watch as business models evolve across areas like AI, data centres, critical raw materials, and reshoring

• Materiality in practice How executives can focus on what truly matters without trying to solve every problem in the world

Marcos Neto is Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director at UNDP, where he leads work on private sector engagement, sustainable finance, and governance. With more than three decades of experience across civil society and international institutions, Marcos works at the intersection of business, human rights, climate, and development. He has been closely involved in advancing global standards on disclosure, due diligence, and the integration of sustainability into corporate decision making.

Resource from this episode

https://www.undp.org/publications/human-rights-vs-competitiveness-false-dilemma

Resources from this episode:

From Impact to Income: How sustainability reporting affects the bottom Line:

Decoding biodiversity impacts: A practical guide to corporate reporting with the GRI Standards:

Case studies on reporting with GRI 101 and TNFD:

Behind every life saving inhaler sits a hidden climate footprint. In this episode, Bespak challenges the status quo, exploring how respiratory products can be redesigned for a low carbon future and why tackling propellant gases and supply chain emissions is one of pharma’s biggest untapped opportunities.

In this episode

Chris Hirst unpacks how Bespak is approaching sustainability at the most granular level: materials, formulations, manufacturing processes, and supplier collaboration. He explains why ESG at Bespak is not a side initiative, but a core business strategy, one that strengthens competitiveness, trust, and long-term value creation.

Learn about:

• Strategic transformation:

Bespak was carved out to become an independent company, strengthening its ability to innovate, move faster, and focus on long-term value creation. How being part of the EQT portfolio makes sustainability a core priority and reinforces responsible growth.

• Sustainability in healthcare manufacturing:

How a traditionally hard-to-decarbonize sector is reducing its footprint and where the biggest opportunities for impact lie.

• Innovation and the low-carbon transition:

Re-engineering essential products like inhalers to cut emissions without compromising patient safety or performance.

• Regulation and responsibility:

How emerging sustainability regulations are shaping R&D priorities, transparency, and long-term business strategy.

• Customer and partner expectations:

Supporting pharma and healthcare customers in meeting decarbonization goals through smarter design and sustainable supply chains.

• Culture and execution:

What it takes to align people and teams to deliver real change during both business transformation and sustainability transitions.

About Chris Hirst

Chris Hirst is the CEO of Bespak, a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), specializing in inhaled and nasal drug delivery devices and drug-device combination products.

With a deep background in pharmaceutical manufacturing and operations, Chris has led Bespak’s transformation into an independent company with a strong focus on low-carbon innovation, supply-chain collaboration, and science-based climate targets. Under his leadership, Bespak has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and is positioning itself as a partner of choice for sustainable respiratory solutions.

Resources from this episode:

From Impact to Income: How sustainability reporting affects the bottom Line:

Decoding biodiversity impacts: A practical guide to corporate reporting with the GRI Standards:

Case studies on reporting with GRI 101 and TNFD: