On 30 March, the Center for Responsible Business and Innovation (CRBI) at Nottingham University Business School China (NUBS China) successfully launched its inaugural "Let'S talk!" event series. Renowned management science scholar Professor Yan Dong from the University of South Carolina was invited to deliver a public lecture on "Green House Gas Emissions: Carbon Leakage and Mandatory Disclosure", engaging the faculty and students in-depth to enhance their understanding of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and sustainable development.
CRBI essentially promotes the concept of sustainable development, contributing to responsible business practices as the foundation. It is also committed to research, education, consulting and international cooperation on responsible business models and sustainable innovation, as well as empowers entrepreneurs, alumni and students to advocate for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.
At the start of the event, Professor Jing Dai, Director of CRBI, provided a brief introduction to the "Let'S talk!" series. She mentioned that the "Let'S talk!" series aims to create a platform for interaction and dialogue with leaders in sustainable development and innovative thinking. This promotes students' understanding and practice of sustainability to collectively work towards a vision of a sustainable future.
Following this, Professor Kok Wei Khong, Dean of NUBS China, delivered a welcome address, emphasising the urgency of sustainable development noting, "We have been actively advancing research in sustainability, aiming to help students understand deeply its importance and inspire them to strive for a better and more sustainable world." He also encouraged students to enhance their awareness of environmental issues and to take concrete actions to address environmental challenges.
In his keynote speech, Professor Yan Dong analysed how multinational companies are adjusting their supply chain management strategies to meet environmental challenges, illustrating the potential environmental impact of these measures with examples from companies like Tesla and Apple in their management of carbon emissions within supply chains. He elaborated on the possibilities of reducing carbon emissions through technological innovation and improved supply chain management, highlighting the necessity for businesses to proactively reduce their carbon footprint and optimise supply chain operations. He motivated businesses with a call to action, "In the face of climate change challenges, businesses must pay more attention and take action, especially in supply chain management to reduce carbon emissions."
Dr Steven Zhou, the Deputy Director of CRBI, presided over the quiz and raffle session of this event. By incorporating questions about environmental protection, winners were rewarded with gifts from the CRBI.
The successful commencement of the first "Let'S talk!" event provided a dynamic platform for participants from diverse backgrounds to engage in profound discussions and knowledge exchange on sustainability issues. Moreover, the event deepened the students' understanding of the importance of sustainable business practices, thereby encouraging them to adopt more responsible and strategic business approaches in their future careers.