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For investors, it is becoming increasingly important to consider how biodiversity might impact long-term portfolio sustainability – namely in the form of business and market disruptions, potentially lower returns, and reputational and regulatory risks. Prioritising biodiversity-friendly investments could possibly be key to managing these risks and contributing to positive social and environmental outcomes. In many … Read more

Biodiversity markets are about to be implemented on a large scale but will require strong regulation and a fundamental shift in the economy to avoid “legitimising damage”, according to panellists at the Beyond Growth 2023 conference last week. In the session ‘Repairing and restoring Nature in a beyond growth perspective: is putting a price on … Read more

Almost two-thirds (60%) of UK companies are set to miss an upcoming Scope 3 emissions reporting deadline, according to a survey, putting them at risk of fines and losing customers.  Scope 3 emissions are those not produced by a company itself, or the result of its activities, but by companies it’s indirectly responsible for, up … Read more

Guidance for private equity has launched to drive the sector towards net-zero investing. The Net Zero Investment Framework Component for the Private Equity Industry, has been designed by the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), sustainability non-profit Ceres and consultancy Anthesis. The private equity guidance establishes a consistent approach to measuring progress towards net … Read more

22 May 2022 Following the dismissal of a claim by ClientEarth against Shell’s directors for failing to manage risks posed by climate change, the NGO has asked the judge to reconsider. In a statement, ClientEarth said: “We’ve now been granted a hearing, at which we’ll ask the Court to reconsider the decision to dismiss our … Read more

Voluntary carbon markets have been a hot topic over the past year since announcements at COP27, and integrity in the area is starting to become more of a focus. Here VCMI executive director Mark Kenber updates ESG Clarity on progress in the market, why investors should look out for the Global Stocktake, and what he … Read more

Societal development and standard of living is directly related to energy consumption. Before the 17th century, useful energy came from animal or human labour, except for heat and light, which came from the burning of wood or other biomass. Fossil fuels arrived on the scene in the 1600s, when the UK began burning coal. This … Read more

What was the most striking thing about COP27 for you? What was your favourite resolution and your key takeaway? Which speech most inspired you? How did you feel about the “guidance on the implementation of Article 6 of the Kyoto Protocol”? If you’re struggling to answer any of those questions, then imagine them posed to … Read more

As with prior UN climate conferences, COP28 in the UAE will raise the usual hopes of high-level climate action. But at this point, COP conferences also come with a familiar cycle of distraction and disappointment. COPs have little to show for themselves at a time when ‘little’ action poses an existential threat. It’s time to … Read more

COP28 will be the third Conference of Parties I have reported on the ground from for ESG Clarity, and it is the one I am most concerned about. Apart from the loss and damage fund, little was agreed last year, as we predicted. But this year has the potential to do worse than nothing – … Read more