ESGNext Awards & Conference
Driving Impact. Building a Sustainable Future
Where global leaders, innovators and investors come together to accelerate sustainability, governance and responsible business across every industry.
- Attendees
- 1,500+Attendees
- Speakers
- 20+Speakers
- Global editions
- 3Global editions
What is ESGNext?
Where sustainability meets strategy
ESGNext Awards & Conference is a premier global platform for environmental, social and governance leadership, bringing together sustainability executives, boards, investors, regulators and climate-tech innovators to turn ESG commitments into measurable business results.
Each edition features keynote sessions, panel discussions, an exhibition floor, curated networking and the ESGNext Awards — recognising the individuals and organisations leading the transition to a sustainable, accountable economy.
Explore editions →Live from the portal
Upcoming ESGNext editions
Every edition, date and venue below is pulled live from the Next Business Media events portal, so this page always mirrors the latest programme.
ESG
ESGNext Awards & Conference Toronto
Apr 20, 2027
Hyatt Regency Toronto, 370, King Street West, Wellington Place, Downtown, Toronto, Golden Horseshoe, Ontario, M5V 1J9, Canada
ESG
ESGNext Awards & Conference, Barcelona Spain 2027
May 25 — May 27, 2027
Barcelona, Spain (venue to be confirmed)
Who will you meet?
The room is the reason you come
A curated mix of global leaders and innovators driving change across the ESG value chain — gathered for powerful ideas, meaningful conversations and strategic collaboration.
01
Decision makers
Boards, CXOs and policymakers setting climate, sustainability and governance strategy.
02
Sustainability & ESG leads
Heads of sustainability, ESG reporting and risk turning frameworks into day-to-day operations.
03
Innovators & startups
Climate-tech and impact founders showcasing bold ideas and meeting investors ready to back them.
04
Investors & analysts
Capital allocators, ESG raters and researchers pricing sustainability into decisions.
The lineup
Speakers shaping the agenda
Ali Syed
Founder
Ōkami Parfums
- Virtual
Akshay Purandar
Independent Director
DANFOSS Systems Limited
- Virtual
Ghada Rahal
Sustainability & ESG Expert
- Virtual
Jeffrey Beyer
Founder and Managing Director
Zest Associates
- Virtual
Nicole Zethelius
Executive Chair
Sunthetics AB
- Virtual
Shereen Shaheen
Middle East & Africa Public Policy Sustainability Head
Tetra Pak
- Virtual
Hassaan Ghazali
Senior Advisor
Vericap
- Virtual
Zyad Khan
Associate Director
Dubai World Trade Centre
- Virtual
Sameera Fernandes
Founder & CEO
Econova
- Virtual
Soren Kannik
Minister Counsellor
Trade Council Dubai, Royal Danish Consulate General
- Virtual
Prof. Suzanna Elmassah
Professor of Economics
Zayed University
- Virtual
Ismail Tekin
Igniting Intergenerational Impact
The World Impacteurs
- Virtual
Maher Al Kaabi
Independent Board Member
Alserkal Group
- Virtual
Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Alsehly
Manufacturing Sustainability Researcher, Development Manager
Alsehly Holding Co.
- Virtual
Anita Nouri
CEO & Founder
Green Growth Planning & Consultancy (GGPC)
- Virtual
Ahmed Elmetwally
CEO / General Manager
Private Office of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan
- Virtual
Awards & recognition
Celebrating excellence in sustainability, impact and governance.
Learning sessions
Keynotes and panels from global industry leaders.
Exhibition floor
Climate, energy and ESG technology shown live.
Networking
Curated introductions with buyers, partners and investors.
Core focus areas
The conversations on the agenda
Climate Strategy & Net Zero
Decarbonisation roadmaps, science-based targets and credible transition planning.
ESG Reporting & Assurance
CSRD, ISSB and GRI disclosure, data quality and audit-ready sustainability reporting.
Sustainable Finance & Impact Investing
Green bonds, transition finance and how capital is pricing sustainability risk.
Energy Transition & Clean Tech
Renewables, storage, efficiency and the technologies cutting operational emissions.
Supply Chain & Human Rights
Scope 3 emissions, due diligence and traceability across complex global supply chains.
Governance, Ethics & Social Impact
Board accountability, DEI, community impact and building durable stakeholder trust.
Watch
Watch our other events in action
Highlights, keynotes and interviews from previous editions.
ESGNext highlights
On the ESGNext stage
Inside the ESGNext expo
Voices from ESGNext
Testimonials
What attendees say
Feedback from leaders who joined previous ESGNext editions.
“ESGNext put us in the same room as the partners and investors we had been trying to reach for months. The quality of conversation was well above the usual circuit.”
“The sessions were refreshingly practical — real projects, real emissions numbers, and honest talk about what did not work.”
“Winning an ESGNext Award gave our team visibility we could not have bought. Our pipeline felt it within weeks.”
Thought leadership
The voices shaping the future of sustainability
Executives, scientists, operators and investors who set the agenda on the ESGNext stage — and keep the conversation going all year.
Want to collaborate with our committee?
Partner with global experts and drive meaningful impact across the ESGNext editions.
Capital meets innovation
Investor and startup meetings, curated for you
Every ESGNext edition runs a dedicated matchmaking programme: pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings between climate-tech founders and the funds, corporates and development banks actively deploying capital into sustainability — on the floor and online.
Physical
On-site meetings
Private meeting pods on the expo floor, 20-minute slots scheduled in advance through the events portal, plus an invite-only investor lounge and a live pitch stage in front of the full conference audience.
Virtual
Virtual meetings
Can't travel? The same matchmaking runs online for every edition. Founders and investors match in the portal, then meet over video in the weeks around the event, with the deal room open year round.
01
Create your profile
Founders share traction, ticket size and sector; investors share thesis, geography and cheque range.
02
Get matched
The portal ranks mutual fits and suggests meetings, so you spend your time with people who actually match your criteria.
03
Meet
Confirm slots in one click and meet on-site in a private pod or over video — your calendar syncs either way.
04
Follow up
Notes, contacts and materials stay in the portal deal room after the edition closes.
300+
Meetings per edition
120+
Active investors
20 min
Per curated slot
Insights
Latest from the ESGNext desk
Interviews, field notes and ESG analysis from our editorial team.
Explore the Next Business Media Web App
Open the web appWorks right in your browser — no download required.
Be part of it
Speak, exhibit, sponsor or be recognised
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is ESGNext Awards & Conference about?+
It is a global ESG conference and awards programme covering climate strategy, sustainability reporting, green finance, energy transition, supply chain due diligence and governance — combining keynotes, panels, an exhibition and recognition for outstanding work in the field.
When and where do the editions take place?+
The ESGNext Virtual Conference runs on 3 December 2026, followed by Toronto on 19–20 April 2027 and Barcelona on 25–27 May 2027. Exact venues and pass prices are listed live on the events portal.
Who should attend?+
Sustainability and ESG leaders, board members, investors, climate-tech founders, researchers and regulators who want to learn from peers, meet partners and see working solutions in action.
How do I apply as a speaker or award nominee?+
Use the Get Involved section — speaking, award nomination, sponsorship, booth and media partner applications are all handled through the portal.
How do I buy a pass?+
Open the edition you want to attend on the portal and choose Reserve a spot. Pass tiers and pricing are shown on each event page.
Why attend
The global meeting point for ESG leaders
Join the conversations, awards and partnerships that are shaping responsible business across every continent.
Global Impact
Three editions across the world
Expert Speakers
Leaders shaping ESG strategy
Real Innovation
Solutions you can act on
ESG Awards
Recognising sustainability leaders