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.
Producers of metals integral to the production of electric vehicles look well set in light of government emissions reduction policies and support for the EV sector. But lithium miners are facing rising scrutiny over how environmentally friendly they really are.
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.
Momentum builds behind the circular economy as investors seek better growth while tackling global challenges, while innovation in this area is de-risking investments and delivering exciting risk-adjusted returns for investors.
Investors’ exposure to government bonds from countries associated with human rights violations highlights the limitations of shareholder engagement. We take a look at how BlackRock and Vanguard handle this issue.
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.
The region's healthcare providers have been slow to embrace sustainable funding because it is tricky to set measurable key performance indicators in the sector – but that is changing.
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.
Capital must reach even the most challenging markets if the UN Sustainable Development Goals are to be met. Hiring former rebels to maintain peace is not something most investors ever have – or want – to think about, but they need to.
Asia's two main finance hubs are moving quickly to adopt global best practice on sustainable finance. They recognise policy certainty in this area is necessary to drive investment into companies, particularly given the region's distinct characteristics.
CFOs and treasurers take note. Although the pricing advantage for sustainable bonds has declined over the past six months, it is unlikely to vanish even as the volume of green bonds rises. Whether this is the case over a longer distance is up for fierce debate.
The Togo-based group expects its debut sustainable bond and new sustainable finance framework to help it adopt a more climate-friendly strategy and expand SDG-aligned funding across the continent, says chief risk officer Eric Odhiambo.
Industry participants welcome aspects of the EU's proposals – which were leaked last week and are due for official release tomorrow – but question, given the political landscape, whether they will materialise. Tackling greenwashing remains contentious.
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