There remains a stark geographical disconnect between where most climate change portfolio investment is directed (the US and Europe), and the main source of incremental emissions (Asia), as well as the location of the population most impacted by climate change (emerging markets). BloombergNEF found that in 2020, developed countries had 12 times more investment per … Read more
Sustainable finance volumes fell off a cliff last year as part of a broad retreat in capital markets activity and as a backlash against ESG ensued. According to Refinitiv, for the first nine months of last year, the latest period for which data are available, sustainable finance bonds fell 26% to $586bn, although sustainable loans … Read more
China’s technology sector is accelerating the uptake of ESG best practices and incorporating them into their core business strategies, particularly environmental and social considerations. While the governance challenges in this sector are well-documented and addressed by increased regulation, less focus has been given to the progress made in environmental and social domains. Analysis of the … Read more
The Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB) – the independent body that sets the GRI Standards – has appointed Carol Adams as chair. Adams (pictured), who is professor of accounting at Durham University Business School, takes over from Judy Kuszewski on April 1. following the completion of her final term in the role in which she … Read more
Castlefield’s John Eckersley, founder and senior partner, and Ita McMahon, partner in the investment management team, discuss the charitable roots of the business, long-term sustainable growth plans and their approach to engagement as a smaller firm. How is sustainability embedded into your business? JE: I founded the business in 2002 after formally being a … Read more
US president Joe Biden has announced $6bn in funding to boost decarbonization projects in energy-intensive industries. The Industrial Demonstration Program is also designed to provide American manufacturers with a competitive advantage in the emerging clean energy economy, the US Department of Energy said. Funding for the program will come from President Biden’s Infrastructure Law and … Read more
The number of fund products labelled as ‘ESG’ grew by nearly 90% in Europe last year, according to research firm Fitz Partners. The firm compared the management fees of the clean share classes of ESG labelled funds in Europe. The research is based on a universe of more than 4,000 clean share classes for equity … Read more
Clarity AI, a sustainability technology platform, and CDP, a non-profit which runs a global environmental disclosure system, have today announced a new data partnership. The venture will focus on jointly developing and bringing to market new products for financial institutions to measure and act on their environmental impact. CDP data will be used in Clarity … Read more
The technologies we need to achieve the low carbon transition are ready. Clean power generation is well established, with renewables in Europe supplying more energy than gas for the first time in 2022. Battery technology is becoming increasingly advanced, enabling a transport revolution and changing the way grids will operate. There is also growing realisation, … Read more
Say on Climate votes should be mandatory for all companies subject to the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, the climate and sustainable finance commission (CCFD) has told French regulator the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). The CCFD, which comprises financial markets, stakeholders, companies, academics, experts and representatives of civil society, yesterday published its recommendations based … Read more