On 25 May 2023, Robert Hinkley is coming to Geelong to give a presentation at the Geelong Library. The event has a $5 admission fee to cover the costs.
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Code for Corporate Citizenship:
Global Launch in Geelong
On 25 May 2023, Geelong will be the site for the worldwide launch of a new idea to combat global warming and climate change, The Code for Corporate Citizenship (The Code), a proposed amendment to the corporate law to make company directors more responsible for the effects of their companies on the environment.
At Geelong Library, an alliance of local climate groups will co-host a talk by Robert Hinkley, originator of The Code, and author of Time to Change Corporations: Closing the Citizenship Gap.
“We see The Code as a simple but effective approach to properly deal with the climate emergency. The idea is to balance directors’ duties by legally requiring them to be good corporate citizens. It may sound like a small change, but this could potentially have a game-changing impact on humanity’s efforts to reduce global carbon emissions,” said Mik Aidt, director of Centre for Climate Safety.
Vicki Perrett, Climate Advocate for Geelong Sustainability, said she was proud that Geelong was selected for the launch:
“Geelong stands at a crucial crossroad and the community is calling for urgent effective climate action. The Climate Emergency Declaration campaign was launched from Geelong, Adelaide and Melbourne in 2016. It has gone onto become a global movement with 2,329 councils in 40 different countries as well as 18 governments declaring a climate emergency – a figure still rising and now including 1 billion citizens. Adoptation of The Code could become the next big step.”
A dual Australian-American citizen, Robert Hinkley is a retired corporate lawyer with over 20 years’ experience advising large companies here and in the United States. He was a partner in the leading US firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, as well as being the principal advisor to the US Department of Justice in its investigations of investment banks for their role in the global financial crisis. These investigations recovered penalties and fines of more than $US 65 billion.
Mr Hinkley said: “All corporations are formed under government enacted laws. They should not be permitted to cause severe damage to the environment. Government’s job is to protect the public interest not give license to companies to destroy it. The Code will require all company directors to safeguard the environment from severe damage.”
The event will take place on the 5th floor of the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre at 5:00pm on Thursday 25 May 2023. General admission is $5.00. Tickets are available through Eventbrite
Event organisers: Centre for Climate Safety, A Different Approach Community, Geelong Sustainability, The Sustainable Hour and Geelong Media.