Essential ESG

Essential ESG: Episode 28 – In conversation with Dr James Cockayne, NSW Anti Slavery Commissioner

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Dr Phoebe Wynn‑Pope is joined by Dr James Cockayne, NSW Anti‑Slavery Commissioner, for a timely discussion on the State’s evolving approach to modern slavery risk management. 
Phoebe and James explore the origins and mandate of the Commissioner’s role and unpack how NSW is operationalising mandatory modern slavery due diligence across more than 450 public sector entities. The Commissioner discusses the development of the reasonable steps framework, its alignment with global human rights standards, and what it means for government buyers and suppliers operating across high‑risk, complex supply chains. 
The conversation also touches on insights from the Commissioners landmark monitoring probe into EVs and lithium‑ion battery procurement, including key findings, systemic issues identified in the reports, and the growing need for coordinated, whole‑of‑government capability to address modern slavery risks in critical supply chains. 
This episode provides practical guidance for organisations navigating modern slavery obligations and highlights why modern slavery risk is increasingly a mainstream governance issue for both public and private sector entities. 

Essential ESG: Episode 27 – Unpacking the ACCC’s guidance on modern slavery and sustainability collaborations

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Lara Hall and Kate Gill‑Herdman discuss the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) updated guidance on sustainability collaborations.
They explore how the refreshed guidance – which includes newly developed modern slavery case studies – is designed to help businesses collaborate responsibly while navigating Australia’s competition laws and compliance obligations.
The conversation also highlights why collaboration is increasingly critical for identifying modern slavery risks across complex, multi‑layered supply chains. Lara and Kate unpack the practical considerations for organisations wanting to work together, the role of information‑sharing protocols, and the pathways available when more formal engagement with the ACCC is required.

Essential ESG: Episode 26 – Insights from the 2025 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Dr Phoebe Wynn-Pope and Kate Gill-Herdman share insights from the 2025 United Nations Business and Human Rights Forum in Geneva. 
This year’s forum theme ‘Accelerating action on business and human rights amidst crises and transformations’ sparked discussions on how businesses can scale up implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). 
Phoebe and Kate explore key trends arising from discussions, including heightened human rights due diligence in conflict-affected and high-risk areas, the role of AI in supply chain risk management, and growing links between environmental and human rights accountability. 

Essential ESG: Episode 25 – Operating responsibly in conflict-affected areas: the role of grievance mechanisms

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Dr Phoebe Wynn-Pope and Kate Gill-Herdman discuss the role of operational-level grievance mechanisms in ensuring responsible and sustainable business conduct when operating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas.

Essential ESG: Episode 24 – In conversation with Professor Robert McCorquodale

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Dr Phoebe Wynn-Pope is joined by Professor Robert McCorquodale to explore the evolving global landscape of business and human rights. This episode is a recording of a live event.

ESSENTIAL ESG SPECIAL EDITION - Responsible AI governance: emerging legal risks and regulatory trends

In this special episode of Essential ESG, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and James North discuss the fast-evolving landscape of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) governance. 
As AI technologies continue to transform industries, the legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding them are shifting just as rapidly. With AI regulation in flux globally, Phoebe and James explore why proactive AI governance is critical – not only for managing legal risks and navigating emerging regulations, but also in unlocking AI’s productivity potential and building stakeholder trust.

Episode 22 – The evolving role of the Chief Sustainability Officer

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and sustainability executive Susan Mizrahi discuss how sustainability practices, in particular the role of the Chief Sustainability Officer, are evolving within the private sector.

Episode 21 – The rise of blended finance

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Jo Dodd, Chloe Delahunt-Devlin, Emmanuel Georgouras and Patrick Magee discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by blended finance.

Episode 20 – Unpacking the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and Kate Gill-Herdman unpack the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and consider the likely impacts on Australian businesses. 

Episode 19 – Emerging drivers of change in business and human rights

In the latest episode of Corrs’ Essential ESG podcast, Phoebe Wynn-Pope and special guest Professor Justine Nolan (Director, Australian Human Rights Institute and Professor in the Faculty of Law and Justice, University of New South Wales) discuss emerging drivers of change in business and human rights.
Phoebe and Justine consider a number of key drivers of change and discuss several transformational approaches to integrating business and human rights being adopted in Australia and overseas.