How investors are refining SDGs to measure impact
Asset owners and managers are becoming more proactive in assessing positive and negative impact in respect of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. But some experts feel they can go further.
Factor / Governance
Governance
DWS probes signal stark new reality for ESG funds
The investigations by US and German financial watchdogs into $1trn asset manager DWS reflect a general tightening of regulatory criteria for funds labelled as ESG or sustainable.
Are the SDGs fit for purpose?
Thousands of companies say they report against or otherwise align themselves with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. But where are these high-level targets failing and what more can businesses and policymakers do to help achieve them?
Shareholder resolutions surge, but impact in doubt
The year to date has seen record-breaking support for shareholder resolutions, with asset managers such as BlackRock and Vanguard stepping up their stewardship. However, a lack of data on the real-world impact means the jury is still out on their efficacy.
Time to adapt fiduciary duties for sustainable investing?
The debate over how the fiduciary duty to seek the best returns affects ESG investing – and whether it should do – has intensified lately, with prices of both sustainable assets and many 'dirty' investments soaring.
White Papers
How green are ESG sovereign bond ETFs?
Capital Monitor analysis of government ESG bond ETF funds offers a sobering picture of a lack of diversity, limited aspiration and questionable attempts to create investment programmes with real-world impact.
Why a huge drop in ESG assets is not a reason for alarm
As demand for sustainable investing continues its global rise, the corresponding jump in regulation has meant Australia and Europe – among the leaders in this area – have witnessed eligible ESG assets drop dramatically as a proportion of overall assets. Will Canada be next?
Calls get louder for SFDR overhaul as EU fails to provide clarity
Asset managers are labelling more funds as ‘sustainable’ amid accusations of regulator-mandated greenwashing, even as the European Commission’s SFDR update last week did little to clear up confusion over product classification.
New leveraged finance guidelines target KPI greenwashing
The fast-growing sustainability-linked leveraged loan market is ripe for abuse. Just-released issuance guidelines aim to crack down on weak key performance indicators, but sanctions lack teeth.
More attacks on ESG ratings as sceptics sharpen knives
The spotlight is on publishers of ESG ratings with a recent damning critique coming from a prominent academic claiming their model should be ripped up. But laying the blame solely on rating agencies gives asset owners a free pass they don’t deserve.
A clear ESG policy is now “the baseline” for hiring young talent
Companies across the globe, from banks to beauty product purveyors, risk losing the best staff if they fail to take account of a new generation of executives' greater ethical awareness and willingness to act on it.
Why private equity has started taking ESG seriously
To ensure a safe exit, influential private equity houses are showing signs of embracing ESG within their investment practices. There is a stronger conviction that sustainability will create greater value over time. Entrepreneurs need to take note.
Hard reality: Why Canada’s pensions are blazing a trail in green bond issuance
Retirement funds are not typical issuers of debt, yet several of Canada's big players have not only sold plenty of conventional bonds, but are increasingly moving to obtain green funding. Capital Monitor looks at the financial realities of why.
23 resultsShow more
