From bribery and corruption to workplace discrimination and environmental incidents, corporate scandals can have significant financial repercussions ranging from legal penalties to consumer boycotts. In addition, these incidents damage the reputation of both the companies themselves and their shareholders.
Leveraging smart technologies to monitor more than 700,000 news stories daily, Sustainalytics’ Controversies Research identifies companies involved in ESG-related incidents. These incidents are assessed through a framework that considers the severity of incidents, the corporation’s accountability and whether they form part of a pattern of corporate misconduct. Investors use Controversies Research to support investment decisions, including screening and engagement, and to manage reputational risks
Latest Insights
The Governance of Killer Robots: What Investors Should Know
ESG Investors Consider Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 in the Construction Industry
Key Benefits
Read forward-looking assessments of how controversies are likely to evolve over the next 12 to 24 months
Manage your portfolio’s ESG exposure with an in-depth assessments of companies’ exposure to ESG controversies.
Identify issues to address during your corporate due diligence processes.
Read forward-looking assessment of how controversies are likely to evolve over the next 12 to 24 months
Speak directly to our analysts and sector specialists who understand the relevant industries and can provide more context
Controversies Research Report
Controversy Rating
When incidents are found in the news, they are tagged and grouped together before being rated on a scale from 1 to 5. This provides investors with a simple and straightforward way of assessing the severity of a company’s exposure to controversies.
Outlook
The Controversy Rating is accompanied by a positive, neutral or negative outlook that reflects the analyst’s assessment of the likeliness of a possible ratings change in the next 12 to 24 months.
Geographic Spread
See company’s global exposure to ESG incidents.
Historical Development
Understand how incidents evolved over time by reading past articles and news stories.
Special Alerts
Stay up to date with our Special Alerts shared shortly after exceptional, high-profile incidents are reported.
Coverage
20,000+ Issuers
Global coverage of all major indexes and large private companies
Delivery Options
Global Access
Access our research through our user-friendly investor interface with easy to use screening and reporting tools
Data Services
Access our research via data feeds (SFTP,FTP or API) or a third-party system of your choice: Bloomberg, Factset and Markit
Why Sustainalytics?
A Single Market Standard
Consistent approach to ESG assessments across the investment spectrum.
Award-Winning Research and Data
Firm recognized as Best ESG Research and Data Provider by Environmental Finance and Investment Week.
End-to-End ESG Solutions
ESG products and services that serve the entire investment value chain.
25+ Years ESG Expertise
350+ ESG research analysts across our global offices.
Largest Second-Party Opinion Provider
As recognized by Environmental Finance and the Climate Bonds Initiative.
ESG Risk Ratings
Take a coherent and consistent approach to assessing financially material ESG risks.
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Global Standards Screening
Identify companies in breach of the UN Global Compact to support your norms-based screening strategy.
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Material Risk Engagement
Engage on the most material ESG risks identified by the ESG Risk Ratings.
Learn MoreMorningstar® Sustainability LeadersSM Index Family
Companies that proactively manage ESG issues that are most likely to affect financial results.
Morningstar® Sustainability Dividend Yield FocusSM Index Family
High Income generating equity investments focused on total returns with reduced ESG Risk.
Morningstar® Societal Development IndexSM
Developed and emerging market companies that align with one or more of the UN SDGs.
Morningstar® Minority Empowerment IndexSM
Companies that are committed to racial and ethnic diversity as demonstrated by relevant programs and policies related to diversity, community development etc.
Morningstar® Global Market SustainabilitySM Index Family
Best-in-class equity index that features reduced ESG risk profile with low to moderate tracking error.
Related Insights and Resources
The Governance of Killer Robots: What Investors Should Know
The ethical implications of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), often referred to by their dramatic moniker ‘killer robots’, have long been a topic of interest. Until recently, debates about LAWS were relegated as hypothetical, with the technology assumed to be under development and out of reach. Such assumptions may be due for reevaluation, and while a firm conclusion is yet to be drawn, it is worthwhile presenting them to the ESG investment community.
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.
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.
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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.