(Possibly) a little less conversation and (definitely) a little more action, please

This blog originally appeared on GES International’s website and has been republished following Sustainaltyics’ acquisition of the company on 9 January 2019. See the press release for more information.

Investing in racial diversity

ESG Spotlight Report - Investing in racial diversity: North American equities

Access Sustainalytics' second ESG Spotlight Series report on race and ethnic diversity this year. Building on insights from the previous ESG Spotlight, the next series installment focuses on bridging the demographic data gap by compiling corporate disclosures of employee composition. Our research shows that companies with more diverse upper management tended to deliver greater financial returns than those with less diverse upper management over the last five years.

Moving the Needle: How Loans and Bonds Are Being Tied to Corporate Sustainability Performance

The tide continues to rise for the sustainable debt market, with sustainability-linked debt contributing to its steady growth. In this article we take a closer look at what’s driving market adoption of sustainability-linked debt and the principles and frameworks guiding market participants.

construction industry protocol

ESG Investors Consider Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 in the Construction Industry

The construction industry can have a reputation for workforce insensitivity and is highly vulnerable to economic and social variabilities. The ESG Impacts of COVID-19 drive companies to adapt to significant challenges related to the demand for construction services. This construction sector research snapshot highlights relevant social issues that corporations face due to ripple effects from the pandemic using Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Ratings and Controversies Research.

governance in brief

Governance in Brief – August 05, 2021

Activision Blizzard Inc. faces an investor class action lawsuit alleging that it failed to disclose an investigation by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”), which ran for two years and culminated in the agency filing a separate civil suit against the company on July 20, 2021.

Infographic | The Rise of Sustainable Bonds, Loans and Linked Instruments

To help bring companies, issuers and banks up to speed on what’s happening in the rapidly evolving sustainable debt market, we’ve created an infographic highlighting key concepts and recent market developments.

Sustainalytics Weighs in on EU Taxonomy’s State of Flux

Delays, Questions and Confusion: Updates on the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation

In this blog, we look at the delay of the level 2 regulation, some aspects of the Q&A, and the ongoing confusion and divergence around SFDR. We pay special attention to the potential impact of the Principle Adverse Impact indicators, an element of SFDR.

governance in brief

Governance in Brief – July 29, 2021

The Japanese Financial Services Agency released an updated Corporate Governance Code which is focused, inter alia, on board independence, diversity, and sustainability.

Financing Sustainability: Recent Trends in Sustainable Bonds, Linked Instruments and Disclosure

The “Financing Sustainability: Recent Trends in Sustainable Bonds, Linked Instrument and Disclosure” ebook shares insights on recent progress made by organizations bridging the gap between sustainability and finance.

What’s Happening in Sustainable Finance: Adopting the Climate Transition Finance Handbook, Recovery Through Sustainable Sovereign Debt and More

In this episode, we discuss ongoing diversification in the labeled bond market and highlight developments around transition finance guidance as well as new and updated principles in the loan market.

covid-19 vaccine storage dry ice

ESG Risk Exposure from COVID-19 Vaccine Transportation and Distribution

As mass vaccination against the coronavirus started, a key challenge has been to keep millions of doses of vaccines at the right temperature. An increase in temperature inside a truck or aircraft, by half a degree, for half an hour, would reportedly result in a 'defrosted' vaccine which has then to be discarded.

governance in brief

Governance in Brief – July 22, 2021

Prosus NV shareholders approved a voluntary share exchange offer for parent company Naspers. The deal seeks to decrease both companies’ significant NAV discount, particularly with regard to Prosus’ 28.9% stake in China’s Tencent.

governance in brief

Governance in Brief – July 15, 2021

The OECD will review the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance aiming to adapt these “to the post-COVID-19 reality.” The organization noted that the pandemic aggravated structural weaknesses in the “corporate sector” and concluded that strengthening corporate governance should be a priority to promote economic recovery.

EU Taxonomy Developments and the EU’s Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy

On July 6th, the European Commission published its Strategy for Financing the Transition to a Sustainable Economy, the successor of the EU’s Sustainable Finance Action Plan, which launched in 2018. The strategy focuses on transforming the financial system and financing transition plans, building on the 2018 Action Plan, which centered on developing the EU Taxonomy, putting in place disclosure regimes, and developing tools for the market to develop sustainable investment solutions and prevent greenwashing.

governance in brief

Governance in Brief – July 8, 2021

Sportswear retailer JD Sports Fashion’s annual general meeting concluded with the resolution to oust the remuneration committee chairman.

parliament hill ottawa canada

The Mutual Influence of Investors and Government

On issues from voting rights to climate change, the relationship between investors, companies, and governments has never been more dynamic. This has spurred a lively discussion about the impact and appropriate role of these actors in addressing systemic environmental and social issues. An increasingly cited view is that commitments made by businesses and investors are often superficial, and at best, can provide only incremental progress towards addressing the problems we face. Some go further to suggest that sustainable investing has done more harm than good, with the notion that these efforts have provided a false sense of progress and have delayed meaningful government action. This is a worthwhile debate, but my experience over the last eight years in the sustainable investing space has given me a very different perspective.

governance in brief

Governance in Brief – July 1st, 2021

Toshiba’s annual general meeting concluded with the resolution to oust the board chairman and an audit committee member after an independent probe into potential vote manipulation.

governance in brief

Governance in Brief – June 24, 2021

The Activision Blizzard non-binding say-on-pay resolution was approved during the latest annual general meeting with only a 54% majority.

Sustainable Finance Insights on Transition Finance, Sustainability-Linked Bonds, Sovereign Bonds and More

In this episode, we discuss ongoing diversification in the labeled bond market and highlight developments around transition finance guidance as well as new and updated principles in the loan market.

ESG interconnected

Using Systems Thinking to Avoid ESG Investing Blind Spots

For investors looking to enhance ESG risk management and the long-term impact of sustainability efforts, a systemic approach can help identify interventions that will most effectively mitigate the risk of negative outcomes or divert the chain of events towards a more sustainable trajectory. Typically, this involves moving from single-issue or company-specific tactics to progressively integrate system-level considerations in ESG strategies. Targeting systemic change through active ownership is one way to acknowledge and start unravelling the dynamic web of global challenges.