Asia is unique in being part of the problem but also the solution, according to professor Lawrence Loh, director at the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore’s Business School. Here he talks to ESG Clarity Asia about regulation in the region, why ‘ESG’ needs redefining and what investors can be … Read more
BNP Paribas has €35bn overweight its benchmarks invested sustainably across its open ended funds, in what it says is a key indication it is ready to “walk the talk” on sustainability. This corresponds to an overall 15% overweight in sustainable funds compared with its benchmark levels, the asset management house said in a presentation on … Read more
In this new summer series for ESG Clarity, members of the sustainable investment industry tell us how their thinking on this fast-moving industry has adapted over the years and what changes that has led to in their thinking and lives. First up is Lindsey Stewart, director of investment stewardship research at Morningstar, who discusses the … Read more
Franklin Templeton has launched two sustainable thematic ETFs, the Franklin Future of Food UCITS ETF and Franklin Future of Health and Wellness UCITS ETF. The ETFs will listed on the Deutsche Börse Xetra (XETRA) on 6 July, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) today (7 July) and the Borsa Italiana on 18 July. The ETFs will be managed by Dina Ting, head … Read more
FCA director of ESG Sacha Sadan (pictured) has defended the regulator’s proposed fund labelling scheme despite fears over the nuances of the ‘sustainable improvers’ category. During a panel discussion at Morningstar’s Investment Conference in London on Tuesday (4 July), Morningstar global director of sustainability research and ESG Clarity Committee member Hortense Bioy raised concerns over … Read more
The vital importance of nature and biodiversity in achieving climate aims means that regulatory frameworks worldwide are evolving swiftly to integrate the theme into investment practices. Brace yourselves, then, for September 2023, a milestone month that will spotlight nature and biodiversity considerations, driving investor awareness and action. Fidelity has noted ‘nature positive‘ could be the … Read more
The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) has nominated Mckinsey adviser Conor Kehoe to take over as chair next year. Pending signatory approval, Kehoe will succeed Martin Skancke when the latter’s term as PRI chair draws to a close at the end of the 2023 calendar year. Kehoe is senior adviser and former senior partner at … Read more
As investors we must understand the risks and opportunities posed by new technology, which, when used without proper governance, ethics, or attention to UNGP-aligned human rights, can cause real harm. I represented this perspective in person in Costa Rica at the RightsCon conference in June, speaking on panels about responsible business conduct in conflict-affected regions … Read more
Anti-ESG states are upping the ante against asset managers to curb the green investment movement this year, ESG Clarity has found. Nearly half of US states have already banned ESG as a factor in state investments, with some even restricting investment firms with ESG policies. But asset managers are pushing back. Anti-ESG takedown tactics Congress has … Read more
After years of seemingly unstoppable momentum behind ESG, the sustainable investment space witnessed heightened debate in 2022. This was largely driven by political posturing in the US, as the divide between anti-ESG ‘red states’ and pro-ESG ‘blue states’ widened. The uncertainty stemming from the anti-ESG camp is unlikely to abate over the coming year or … Read more