25
Feb
2026
Thornhill Academy Launches ESG and Sustainability Themed Events
Thornhill Academy has recently launched its 2026 programmes focusing on ESG and sustainability, with the first event highlighting key trends in sustainable finance.
The event took place on 25 February 2026 at the University of Law Moorgate campus. Sustainability & ESG specialist at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) Cecily Liu gave an insightful presentation on key shifts reshaping investment strategies, regulatory expectations, corporate and investor behaviour, and influencing professional advice.
Liu outlined the rapid evolution of ESG frameworks from fragmented, voluntary initiatives to increasingly harmonised and mandatory disclosure regimes (e.g. EU CSRD, CSDDD). These measures signal a structural shift: sustainability reporting is no longer a reputational exercise but a regulatory obligation.
She also pointed out that China has made significant progress since 2020, establishing national climate objectives to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. Globally, ESG assets are projected to increase from approximately $25 trillion in 2023 to nearly $80 trillion by 2030, while green bond issuance has continued to grow steadily.
Looking ahead to 2026, the EU is expected to remain a global leader in sustainable finance regulation. Regulators and investors increasingly demand high-quality ESG data to inform business decisions. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a growing role in accelerating data analysis and enabling predictive insights, thereby enhancing transparency and risk management.
The presentation was followed by interactive discussions among the hosts, guest speaker and the participants, who come from a wide range of professional and disciplinary backgrounds, including renewable energy, banking and finance, investment management, business owners, legal, compliance, tax advisory, communications and media, consultant, academia and law students.
A central message of the session was clear: sustainability is now embedded in corporate strategy. It is no longer a peripheral initiative reserved for large corporations with surplus capital. Instead, it increasingly shapes corporate governance, strategy, and operations across sectors.
However, this transition is not without challenges. While ESG integration is now widely recognised as mainstream, smaller companies continue to face practical challenges. These include resource constrains, regulatory complexity, and exposure to financial, legal and reputational risks. Addressing these concerns, Liu noted that awareness of the evolving regulatory landscape is essential, particularly given the pace at which ESG requirements are introduced and enforced.
For Chinese companies operating internationally, the implications are significant. Success in 2026 and beyond will depend on several key priorities:
- Adopting globally recognised ESG disclosure standards.
- Strengthening supply-chain transparency, particularly regarding human rights, carbon intensity, and natural resource use.
- Preparing for diverse regulatory regimes, from state-level rules in the United States to evolving legal frameworks in the EU and Asia.
- Investing in climate adaptation and long-term resilience.
- Leveraging ESG not only as a compliance obligation, but as a strategic competitive advantage.
Thornhill Academy is a not-for-profit initiative, dedicated to promoting collaboration and best practices among professionals who are interested in China and China-related cross-border matters. It aims to build a forum and community where experts from diverse sectors can exchange insights, expertise, and perspectives.
It hosts regular in-person events, which is free to attend and open to everyone. The theme for 2026 is Sustainability and ESG. The next event will take place in April 2026. If you are interested in attending and staying connected with Thornhill Academy, please contact us at academy@thornhill-legal.co.uk.
Key contact:
Yun Kriegler
Director of international markets, Thornhill Legal
Email: yun.kriegler@thornhill-legal.com