What does the UN global plastics treaty mean for companies and investors? In this Green Shoots webinar we looked in detail at the issue of plastic pollution and its relevance to companies and investors.
Article last updated 22 April 2025.
Greenbank’s stewardship and engagement lead, Sophie Lawrence hosted a lunchtime webinar which looked in detail at the issue of plastic pollution and its relevance to companies and investors. The event examined how legally binding UN rules could help:
Sophie was joined by:
John Duncan global initiative lead, No Plastics in Nature Initiative at WWF, and co-lead of Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty
Lauren O’ Leary ethical, sustainable and impact researcher at Greenbank
Green Shoots is Greenbank’s lunchtime webinar series where we are joined by specialist guest speakers to explore a sustainable investment topic.
A recording of the event is available to watch below.
Please contact marketing@greenbankinvestments.com if you have any queries about this event.
Greenbank
Stewardship and Engagement Lead
Stewardship and Engagement Lead
Greenbank
Sophie joined Greenbank in January 2020 as a senior ethical, sustainable and impact researcher and is now Greenbank’s Stewardship and Engagement Lead. She is responsible for the delivery of key engagement projects, building relationships with external partner organisations, and shaping Greenbank’s engagement strategy, priorities and reporting. She started her career at Barclays Bank in 2013 and most recently spent three years at KKS Advisors, a strategy consultancy in London where she led a team specialising in sustainable and impact investment. She holds an MSc from Imperial College London in Environmental Technology and a BSc in Geographical Sciences from the University of Bristol.
Sophie joined Greenbank in January 2020 as a senior ethical, sustainable and impact researcher and is now Greenbank’s Stewardship and Engagement Lead. She is responsible for the delivery of key engagement projects, building relationships with external partner organisations, and shaping Greenbank’s engagement strategy, priorities and reporting. She started her career at Barclays Bank in 2013 and most recently spent three years at KKS Advisors, a strategy consultancy in London where she led a team specialising in sustainable and impact investment. She holds an MSc from Imperial College London in Environmental Technology and a BSc in Geographical Sciences from the University of Bristol.
WWF International
Initiative Lead: No Plastics in Nature
Initiative Lead: No Plastics in Nature
WWF International
(B.Sc Zoology & Botany (Hons); M.Sc Environmental Science & Policy, MBA)
John is the Global Initiative Lead for WWF International’s No Plastics in Nature Initiative. He holds an MBA and an MSC in Environmental Science and Policy and has over a decade of experience working across diverse value chains to develop effective multi-level, multi-actor sustainability approaches. With a background in marine biology, and an interest in sustainability transitions, he previously led WWF South Africa’s Marine Programme. In his current role, he is responsible for coordinating the WWF Network’s work on plastic pollution. He helped to establish, and is a co-lead for, the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, which brings together businesses and financial institutions committed to supporting the development of an ambitious, effective and legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution.
(B.Sc Zoology & Botany (Hons); M.Sc Environmental Science & Policy, MBA)
John is the Global Initiative Lead for WWF International’s No Plastics in Nature Initiative. He holds an MBA and an MSC in Environmental Science and Policy and has over a decade of experience working across diverse value chains to develop effective multi-level, multi-actor sustainability approaches. With a background in marine biology, and an interest in sustainability transitions, he previously led WWF South Africa’s Marine Programme. In his current role, he is responsible for coordinating the WWF Network’s work on plastic pollution. He helped to establish, and is a co-lead for, the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, which brings together businesses and financial institutions committed to supporting the development of an ambitious, effective and legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution.
Greenbank
Ethical, Sustainable and Impact Researcher
Ethical, Sustainable and Impact Researcher
Greenbank
Lauren joined Greenbank in March 2024 as an Ethical, Sustainable, and Impact Researcher. She is responsible for evaluating investments against a comprehensive range of environmental, social, and governance criteria, and conducting in-depth thematic research on emerging responsible investment issues. She has a strong background in environmental research, climate policy, and sustainability consulting, having worked at PwC and an economic consultancy firm. Lauren holds a B.A. (Mod) in Economics and Social Studies from Trinity College Dublin and an MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Lauren joined Greenbank in March 2024 as an Ethical, Sustainable, and Impact Researcher. She is responsible for evaluating investments against a comprehensive range of environmental, social, and governance criteria, and conducting in-depth thematic research on emerging responsible investment issues. She has a strong background in environmental research, climate policy, and sustainability consulting, having worked at PwC and an economic consultancy firm. Lauren holds a B.A. (Mod) in Economics and Social Studies from Trinity College Dublin and an MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Can the energy transition stay on track? Our recent live lunchtime webinar ‘Renewables at a crossroads’ explored the opportunities and risks within the renewables sector and the effects that current global politics have on the global clean energy transition.
2 mins
Greenbank and Rathbones are delighted to partner with 5x15 for The Earth Convention 2025, a three-part series offering insights into the urgent issues facing our changing world. The first session ‘Energy and Finance’ will reflect on the future of energy.
1 min
2025 has so far seen a significant shift in the political backdrop for ESG and sustainable investing. While some financial institutions pull back from climate initiatives amid increasing political opposition, a rollback on DEI programmes emphasises the need for diversity, equity and inclusion to evolve beyond good intentions. The UK and US have refused to sign a declaration on “inclusive and sustainable” artificial intelligence (AI) following the landmark AI Safety Summit, and the EU’s Omnibus proposal to reduce the scope of regional sustainability reporting has been criticised as a deregulation setback.
6 mins