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
SFDR: Raising the bar for sustainability disclosures
EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation: An Update
A Political Pivot for Climate Change and the American Coal 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
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Data Services
Access our research via data feeds (SFTP,FTP or API) or a third-party system of your choice: Bloomberg, Factset and Markit
Learn MoreWhy 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.
Related Insights and Resources
EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation: An Update
Update - 3 March, 2021: To help investors comply with the new requirements of the SFDR, Sustainalytics launched the PAI Data Solution that maps our research to the 60 indicators defined by the regulator. This new dataset will enable investors to consider the PAIs in their investment decisions as well as supporting disclosure requirements. Visit our website to learn how we can help with you SFDR compliance journey.
A Political Pivot for Climate Change and the American Coal Industry
As the Biden administration moves into the White House this week, the world is waiting to see if a promising focus on climate change along with a Democratic Congress will present plausible opportunities to cut carbon emissions. While the outgoing administration backed initiatives supporting coal energy[1], it doesn’t appear to have slowed industry decline.
Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation: An Industry Game-changer
In recent months, the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) has been sparking almost as much debate as the EU Taxonomy – both cornerstone regulations of the EU Sustainable Finance Action Plan. With the SFDR set to redefine ESG disclosures and make a significant impact on financial market participants in Europe, the short timeline and ambiguity on several vital details are creating confusion and concern in the industry. The risk of organizations not being able to comply in time is still present, despite the announced delay in timelines for the technical standards, as is the risk of high financial and operational costs for the industry.
Related Solutions
ESG Risk Ratings
Take a coherent and consistent approach to assessing financially material ESG risks.
Learn MoreGlobal Standards Screening
Identify companies in breach of the UN Global Compact to support your norms-based screening strategy.
Learn MoreMaterial Risk Engagement
Engage on the most material ESG risks identified by the ESG Risk Ratings.
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