Join Brand Finance and Ad Net Zero for an exclusive panel discussion during London Climate Action Week, exploring how brands can build and maintain strong sustainability perceptions in an era of increasing scrutiny and greenhushing.
The event will feature the latest findings from the Brand Finance Sustainability Perceptions Index 2026, revealing the brands perceived to have the strongest commitment to sustainability globally, the changing role of sustainability in driving demand, and the significant value sustainability perceptions create for the world's biggest brands.
This year's research highlights a growing gap between sustainability performance and perception. As organisations continue to advance their ESG strategies, many are becoming more cautious about communicating their progress publicly—a trend often described as greenhushing.
Following the presentation of the findings, a panel of industry experts will explore how brands can navigate increasing scrutiny, communicate sustainability credibly, and ensure meaningful action translates into reputation and trust.
| 11.00 - 11.30 | Registration |
| 11.30 - 11.45 | Introduction & & Sustainability Perceptions Index 2026 presentation Robert Haigh, Strategy & Sustainability Director, Brand Finance |
| 11.45 - 12.25 | CMO Panel Discussion Guest speakers to be announced. |
| 12.25 - 12.30 | Closing Remarks Robert Haigh, Strategy & Sustainability Director, Brand Finance |
| 12.30 - 13.00 | Networking Lunch |
Ad Net Zero is a voluntary not-for-profit climate action programme for the global advertising industry. Over 280+ supporters worldwide help fund our work to deliver a range of tools, resources, frameworks and education materials. This is geared to help supporter companies embed sustainability into their strategies for increased business resilience and higher growth opportunities.
Ad Net Zero’s five-point Action Plan provides the whole advertising supply chain with a guide, supported by industry solutions, that enables companies to take action. We help our supporters drive their businesses forward with the specialist knowledge needed to reduce the emissions from advertising and businesses operations and unlock the power of advertising to support the growth of more sustainable products, services and behaviours.
Sebastian Munden CBE is Global Chair of Ad Net Zero, the worldwide ad industry initiative that helps companies embed sustainability into their strategies for increased business resilience, reduced greenhouse gas impact, and better growth opportunities. He is co-author of Sustainable Advertising, shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2025.
Sebastian is also the Chair of the global environmental action NGO, WRAP, and Chair for UK Packaging PRO, organisations which are active advocates and participants in the circular economy.
Previously, Sebastian spent 32 years at Unilever, holding global leadership roles across Europe and North America, and served as Chief Executive of Unilever UK & Ireland until 2022.
Robert leads Brand Finance’s sustainability research and consulting practice, helping brands to understand the value of sustainability perceptions and how to manage these effectively.
Robert has a degree in Geography from the University of Oxford and an MBA from London Business School.
Robert began his career in marketing communications, later specialising in commercial strategy, due diligence, and insights.
