The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the latest example of the risks associated with authoritarian regimes. The human losses in the conflict have been truly tragic. However, the implications of the conflict are also being felt in a variety of other ways, including financial. Following the invasion, more than 1,000 companies curtailed operations in Russia, … Read more
Financial inclusion is a core building block for delivering economic growth and lifting people out of poverty. Whether that is opening a first bank account or taking out a first insurance policy for a business or personal health, the drive for greater access to financial and risk mitigating products provides structural, sustainable growth. There is … Read more
For Michael Sieg, who founded impact investment specialist ThomasLloyd exactly 20 years ago, a permanent change of mindset in sustainable investing is not just something to be hoped for – it is quite simply a necessity. “Fundamentally, it comes down to whether humankind believes there is a need for change – so we achieve a … Read more
A pensions taskforce looking at social risks and opportunities has today launched in the UK, after its initial announcement in July last year. The Taskforce on Social Factors will support pension scheme trustees and the wider pensions industry with some of the key challenges around managing social factors, including the identification of reliable data and … Read more
The rabbit is a well-loved creature by many, often symbolising intuition and associated with springtime and new beginnings. Since it’s the year of the rabbit, I wanted to share three practical tips we learn from rabbits to think about when it comes to sustainable investing, and why ESG is not just about intuition but the … Read more
Breakthrough technologies within shipping and electric vehicle industries will provide opportunities for Apac ESG investors this year, Morningstar Sustainalytics has said. Speaking at a roundtable, Chris Terzis, senior director for client relations in Apac ex Japan at Morningstar Sustainalytics, said, for example, automating the shipping industry could provide better efficiencies and working conditions on ships … Read more
Robeco, BNP Paribas Asset Management, Aviva Investors and Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) have topped ShareAction’s ranking of asset managers on responsible investment credentials – but no group received the top AAA grade indicating improvements still need to be made. ShareAction’s annual assessment of fund groups’ performance on ESG, Point of No Returns 2023, … Read more
China built the equivalent of two new power plants per week last year, a report has found, despite the energy regulator saying no new coal power plants would be permitted solely for the purpose of bulk power generation. A report published today by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) and the Centre for Research on Energy and … Read more
Rathbone Greenbank Investments has made a double hire to expand its ethical investing team. Laura Hobbs (pictured, right) joins Greenbank as an investment director, responsible for managing charity portfolios and helping charities align their investments with their ethical values and sustainability ambitions. She has more than 10 years’ experience working with not-for-profit clients. She previously … Read more
Congress could vote as soon as this week on a Republican resolution to overturn a Department of Labor ESG rule for retirement plans, while House and Senate Democrats recently introduced legislation to protect the regulation. Neither effort is likely to overcome Capitol Hill gridlock. In November, the DOL promulgated a regulation that allows plan fiduciaries to consider … Read more