What’s Happening in Sustainable Finance: On the Horizon for 2023, Reporting on Financed Emissions for Sovereign Debt, and More
Despite ending 2022 on a low note, there is optimism for the global sustainable finance market in 2023 as sustainability is still a key issue for investors, issuers and governments and remains closely tied to capital markets.
Governance in Brief – February 23, 2023
SEC considers changes to climate disclosure rules The U.S. SEC is reportedly considering easing a set of proposed rules, released in March 2022, which would have required public companies to make disclosures about their greenhouse gas emissions (“GHG”), climate-related financial metrics, and climate-related risks.
The Role of Sustainability-Linked Financial Instruments in Heavy Industry Decarbonization
With the effects of climate change looming, governments and organizations of all stripes need to work with carbon-intensive industries and invite them to participate in global decarbonization efforts. This can, in part, be achieved through sustainability-linked instruments.
Governance in Brief – February 16, 2023
Toshiba Corp receives USD 15.2 billion take-private offer Toshiba has received a USD 15.2 billion buyout offer from a consortium led by investment fund Japan Industrial Partners (“JIP”). The offer was made after the tie-up managed to secure commitments from banks worth USD 10.6 billion, including a commitment line of JPY 200 billion (USD 1.5 bullion) for working capital. The deal, which would see the Japanese electronics maker going private, is subject to board and shareholder approval. Toshiba has set up a special committee, composed of seven outside directors, to assess the offer.
Governance in Brief – February 9, 2023
Activist investor Nelson Peltz targets Disney seat Trian Partners has filed a proxy calling on Disney shareholders to oppose the reappointment of Michael Froman as director at the 2023 AGM and to replace him with Trian CEO Nelson Peltz. Trian argues that Froman has no corporate experience outside of Disney, accuses the board of having caused financial losses through poor corporate governance, and has criticized Disney’s handling of its 2019 Fox acquisition as well as its failure to establish an effective succession plan. Disney, which has rejected Peltz’s request for a seat, claims that he lacks relevant skills and has no plan to enhance financial performance, while arguing that Peltz’s election would be a “mistake” that would “threaten the strategic management of Disney during a period of important change in the media landscape.” Reuters | CNBC | Trian Partners|
Carbon Emissions Data for Investors: Closing the Reporting Gap and Future-Proofing Estimations
Despite improvements in the quality and quantity of carbon emissions reporting from companies, significant gaps remain. Discover the current state of emissions disclosures, learn the advantages and disadvantages of widely used estimation models, and discover the approach underpinning Sustainalytics' Carbon Emissions Data product.
Governance in Brief – February 2, 2023
Former McDonald’s HR Head faces landmark ruling The Delaware Court of Chancery has ruled that corporate officers have the same oversight obligations as corporate directors under Delaware law. The decision paves the way for a shareholder lawsuit filed against former McDonald’s executive David Fairhurst in 2021. Fairhurst, who served as the firm’s Global Chief People Officer from 2015 until his termination in 2019, is accused both of breaching his fiduciary duties by permitting a corporate culture of sexual misconduct and of engaging in sexual misconduct himself. Fairhurst had argued that he could not be sued, citing purportedly precedential rulings that such oversight rests solely with directors
What’s Happening in Sustainable Finance: Climate on the International Agenda, New Instruments to Support Emerging Markets, and More
Climate change and adaptation are high on the international agenda. Listen to learn how the outcomes from COP27 and COP15 could influence sustainable finance markets and get a rundown of recent notable market transactions.
An Introduction to the Circular Economy: A Beginner’s Overview on Transforming Production to Minimize Waste
This ebook looks at the circular economy through an ESG lens, exploring why it is gaining traction with governments and businesses, emerging challenges during this transition, and what potential solutions look like.
How a High Street U.K. Bank Reflected Its Values and Ethics Through ESG Ratings and Reporting
By receiving an ESG Risk Ratings License from Sustainalytics, The Co-operative Bank could better communicate how its ESG Risk Rating reflected its values, policies, and programs around environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues.
Governance in Brief – January 26, 2023
Beijing takes golden shares in Alibaba units The Chinese government has acquired golden shares in two Alibaba subsidiaries, allowing it to exert veto power over major decisions while maintaining a relatively modest equity investment. A unit of state-backed Zhejiang Media Group first acquired such a minority stake in one Alibaba subsidiaries in September 2022, and an arm of the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) acquired a minority stake in another subsidiary in January 2023.
The Sustainalytics Podcast | Cybersecurity and Data Privacy in Focus: Cyberattacks and ESG
In this episode of the Sustainalytics Podcast, our experts explore cybersecurity and data privacy trends, how cyberattacks affect bottom lines, and why companies should invest in robust cybersecurity and data privacy policies.
Sustainability-Linked Financial Instruments: Creating Targets and Measuring Your Company's Performance
Sustainability-linked bonds and loans have begun to gain more attention. This blog post takes a closer look at key performance indicators (KPIs) and sustainable performance targets (SPTs) that must be kept in mind while opting for these instruments.
Governance in Brief – January 19, 2023
Beijing takes golden shares in Alibaba units The Chinese government has acquired golden shares in two Alibaba subsidiaries, allowing it to exert veto power over major decisions while maintaining a relatively modest equity investment. A unit of state-backed Zhejiang Media Group first acquired such a minority stake in one Alibaba subsidiaries in September 2022, and an arm of the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) acquired a minority stake in another subsidiary in January 2023.