From Nigeria Mining Week to CANSO GreenATM: Advancing Sustainability Across Industries
Responsible Mining • Climate Resilience • Aviation Sustainability • International Cooperation
October has been an exceptionally active month for ESG Consultancy, with international engagements spanning responsible mining, climate resilience, sustainable development and aviation.
Our Founder and CEO, Francine Carron, travelled from Hainan, China, to Abuja, Nigeria, for a series of speaking engagements and high-level industry discussions.
From addressing mining executives at Nigeria Mining Week 2026 to participating in a national radio discussion on climate resilience and food security, these engagements reinforced a central message:
ESG is not confined to one industry. It is increasingly shaping how organisations operate, attract investment, manage environmental and social risks, and compete internationally.
As we look ahead to November, our focus also returns to aviation, with an upcoming contribution to a CANSO GreenATM event, highlighting the environmental sustainability work undertaken with Luxembourg’s air navigation service provider, ANA Luxembourg (ANA LUX).
Nigeria Mining Week 2026: ESG as a Global Trade Language
Abuja, Nigeria | October 2026
ESG Consultancy was represented at Nigeria Mining Week 2026, where Founder and CEO Francine Carron participated as an invited international speaker.
Throughout the event, she delivered several speaking contributions and engaged with mining companies, government representatives, investors and industry organisations.
Her central presentation explored:
ESG as a Global Trade Language – ESG as Commercial Market Access
The message focused on how ESG requirements increasingly influence access to international buyers, investors and global supply chains.
For mining companies, possessing valuable mineral resources is only the beginning.
International business partners increasingly expect credible evidence of responsible sourcing, environmental management, occupational health and safety, community engagement, governance and supply-chain transparency.
These requirements are becoming important commercial considerations for African mining companies seeking international partnerships.
ESG should therefore be recognised not only as a compliance obligation but also as a tool for strengthening commercial competitiveness and investment readiness.
Participating in the CEO Roundtable Forum
One of the highlights of the conference was our founder's participation in the CEO Roundtable Forum, bringing together senior mining executives and industry representatives to discuss Nigeria’s mining-sector development.
The discussions addressed international investment, responsible mining, mineral value chains and the opportunities associated with developing Nigeria’s mineral resources.
ESG Consultancy contributed an international perspective on the importance of integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into mining operations from the earliest stages of development.
Throughout the week, we also established valuable relationships with Nigerian mining companies, investors, industry associations and potential project partners.
These connections are already creating opportunities to explore cooperation around ESG management frameworks, responsible mining, investment readiness and international market access.
With operations in Belgium and China, ESG Consultancy is particularly interested in supporting cooperation between African mineral producers and international partners across Europe and Asia.
Panel Discussion: Social Licence to Operate – Building Trust with Communities
Our founder, also participated in a panel discussion on Social Licence to Operate (SLO), one of the most important social sustainability challenges facing mining companies.
A mining licence provides the legal right to operate, but it does not automatically establish the trust and acceptance of surrounding communities.
Social Licence to Operate refers to the ongoing acceptance and confidence that communities and stakeholders have in a mining project.
For mining companies, establishing and maintaining this trust requires meaningful stakeholder engagement, transparency, responsible environmental and social management, respect for local communities and credible mechanisms for addressing concerns.
The discussion highlighted why community relationships should be considered from the earliest stages of mining development rather than addressed only when conflicts arise.
For African mining projects seeking international investment, social risks and community relationships can also have significant implications for project continuity, financing and long-term commercial success.
A mining company may hold a legal licence to operate, but lasting success also depends on earning and maintaining the trust of the communities around it.
Panel Discussion: Women in Mining – Advancing Inclusion and Opportunities
During Nigeria Mining Week 2026, Francine Carron participated in a panel discussion dedicated to Women in Mining, addressing the importance of women’s participation, representation and opportunities within the mining industry.
Gender equality and social inclusion are important components of responsible mining and the social dimension of ESG.
Across the mining sector, women can face barriers to employment, leadership positions, access to financing, technical training and participation in mining value chains.
The discussion provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of creating a more inclusive mining industry, where women can participate not only as employees but also as entrepreneurs, technical specialists, business owners and industry leaders.
For mining companies, improving gender inclusion is not simply a corporate social responsibility initiative. It can contribute to workforce development, stronger community relationships and more inclusive economic growth.
A responsible mining industry must create opportunities for women to participate in and benefit from its development.
Both panel discussions reinforced an important message from Nigeria Mining Week:
The social dimension of ESG is not secondary to mining development. It is fundamental to responsible operations, investment readiness and long-term business success.
International Recognition: Francine Carron Receives Appreciation Award in Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria | 20 October 2026
In another highlight of her visit to Nigeria, Francine Carron, Founder and CEO of ESG Consultancy and Carron ESG Group, received an Appreciation Award from the Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (NIEE), Abuja Chapter.
The award was presented in connection with the institution’s 2026 Public Lecture and Annual General Meeting, recognising her support and contribution to the organisation’s environmental initiatives.
Recognition for International Environmental Engagement
Receiving the award was a meaningful recognition of Francine’s continued engagement with environmental professionals and institutions across Africa.
“It was a great honour to receive this recognition from the Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to exchange knowledge with Nigerian environmental professionals and encourage young people to become part of the solutions to our environmental challenges.”
The recognition reflects ESG Consultancy’s commitment to international knowledge exchange, environmental education and practical sustainability initiatives.
We extend our sincere thanks to the NIEE Abuja Chapter, its Chairman Engr. Uche Patrick-Obikile, and everyone involved in organising the event.
Radio Nigeria: Climate Change Knows No Borders
Abuja, Nigeria | October 2026
Our activities in Nigeria extended beyond the mining industry.
During the visit, our founder was invited to Radio Nigeria to participate in a discussion on climate change, food security and regional cooperation across West Africa.
The programme explored the theme:
Climate Change Knows No Borders: Strengthening ECOWAS Cooperation for Food Security and Resilience
The discussion addressed how climate change is affecting agricultural productivity, water resources, food systems and economic resilience across West Africa.
Droughts, flooding and changing rainfall patterns do not respect national borders, making regional cooperation increasingly important.
Francine emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among countries within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including knowledge sharing, climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture and practical solutions to strengthen resilience.
The discussion also highlighted opportunities for international cooperation between Africa, Europe and Asia in areas such as sustainable technologies, water management, renewable energy and climate-resilient development.
Climate change is not only an environmental issue. It is also an economic and social challenge requiring coordinated action across borders and industries.
The Radio Nigeria appearance provided an opportunity to bring these sustainability discussions to a broader audience beyond the business and investment community.
Looking Ahead: CANSO GreenATM and Aviation Sustainability
November 2026 | Upcoming Speaking Engagement
In November, ESG Consultancy will return to one of its longstanding specialist areas: aviation sustainability and environmental performance management for air navigation service providers (ANSPs).
Francine Carron will contribute to an upcoming CANSO GreenATM event, presenting insights from our work with ANA Luxembourg (ANA LUX) and its environmental sustainability journey.
From Environmental Commitments to Measurable Performance
The CANSO GreenATM programme provides a structured framework for assessing and improving the environmental performance of air traffic management organisations.
It enables ANSPs to evaluate their environmental maturity across relevant operational and organisational areas and identify opportunities for improvement.
For air navigation service providers, environmental sustainability extends beyond corporate carbon reporting.
It includes operational efficiency, airspace and flight efficiency, infrastructure, energy management, environmental governance and the integration of sustainability into organisational decision-making.
Sharing the ANA Luxembourg Experience
During the November event, Francine will share insights from ESG Consultancy’s work supporting ANA Luxembourg in its GreenATM development.
The presentation will explore the practical aspects of implementing an environmental performance framework within an ANSP, including organisational coordination, evidence collection, environmental management and the translation of sustainability objectives into measurable progress.
The experience provides an opportunity to demonstrate how GreenATM can support structured environmental improvement within air navigation services.
For ANSPs, sustainability must move beyond commitments and become an integrated part of operational and organisational performance.
ESG Consultancy continues to support aviation organisations with environmental sustainability strategies, GreenATM assessments and implementation, ESG frameworks, environmental performance management and related capacity building.
One International ESG Approach, Multiple Industries
Although mining, agriculture and aviation operate in very different environments, the sustainability challenges discussed throughout October share important characteristics.
Organisations increasingly need to demonstrate credible environmental performance, responsible governance, effective stakeholder engagement and measurable progress.
For mining companies, this can determine access to international buyers and investors.
For agricultural communities and regional institutions, it can strengthen climate resilience and economic security.
For aviation organisations, it can support more efficient operations, environmental accountability and long-term sustainability performance.
Across all three sectors, ESG is most valuable when it translates strategic commitments into practical, measurable improvements.
Through ESG Consultancy NV in Belgium and Haikou ESG Sustainable Consulting Co., Ltd. in China, we continue working across Europe, Asia and Africa to support this transition.
Our international activities combine sector-specific expertise with practical implementation, stakeholder engagement and cross-border cooperation.
Continuing the Conversation
As October comes to a close, we would like to thank the organisers, speakers, industry representatives and partners who contributed to our engagements in Nigeria.
We also look forward to reconnecting with the international aviation community during the upcoming CANSO GreenATM event in November.
Whether working with mining companies, air navigation service providers or organisations addressing broader sustainability challenges, our objective remains consistent:
Making ESG practical, measurable and commercially relevant.
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with organisations seeking to strengthen their sustainability performance, develop ESG management frameworks or navigate international environmental and social requirements.
Connecting Europe, Asia and Africa through practical sustainability solutions.