Information, innovation, and investment are the keys to business transformation towards a more sustainable future. These were the key messages delivered during the first panel discussion, "Bridging the Green Gap" at the "ESG&FRIENDS 2024" forum. The event was organized by ESGnews.bg, Bulgaria's premier media promoting ESG initiatives. Held at the Hilton Hotel on February 27th, the forum operated under the motto "Re-position, Re-think, Re-grow". The moderator of the panel was Assoc. Prof. Atanas Georgiev, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of SU "St. Kliment Ohridski".

The panel featured notable figures such as Kamelia Slaveikova, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shell Bulgaria, Assoc. Prof. Milena Angelova, General Secretary of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) and Evgenia Troanska, representing SGI Europe in the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG).

"There are currently more questions than answers regarding ESG", stated Kamelia Slaveikova. "The EU aims for climate neutrality by 2050, but it's evident that the world is falling behind, necessitating more active and urgent actions".

Assoc. Prof. Angelova added: "Standards are lagging, and companies remain uncertain about the data they need to collect. Small companies were surprised last year to learn that the directive would apply to them, as part of supply chains. They require assistance from larger companies".

Evgenia Troanska highlighted the lack of data as a significant challenge.

In summary, Assoc. Prof. Atanas Georgiev, the panel moderator, emphasized: "The challenges are ubiquitous, and we must navigate this path together with ample assistance and collaboration”.