Archive

Richard Mattison on how ESG data needs to improve

There are three main areas that environmental, social and governance (ESG) data needs to focus on to improve, says the CEO of Trucost, part of S&P Global

Planet Tracker identifies deforestation risk behind ETFs

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) from asset managers including BlackRock (iShares), Vanguard and State Street hide entrenched deforestation risk from investors, according to sustainability think tank Planet Tracker.

EU 'brown' taxonomy proposals split financial sector

EU climate benchmarks complete regulatory journey

Two closely watched EU climate benchmarks intended to address the risk of 'greenwashing' are set to come into force before the end of 2020 after officially entering the official journal of the bloc.

S&P's ESG capabilities boosted by $44bn IHS Markit merger

Financial services giant S&P has agreed to merge with data provider IHS Markit, in a mega deal that will boost S&P's already-considerable environmental, social and governance (ESG) firepower.

ESG Ratings in fixed income: A good start

ESG ratings should only be used as a first step when it comes to assessing issuers, a panel at Environmental Finance's ESG and Fixed Income 2020 conference heard. Ahren Lester reports

News round-up: Investor group urges coal exit, ESG index numbers jump, Franklin Templeton boosts social assets

$5trn UN-convened global alliance calls for thermal coal exit

Building momentum for a more sustainable future

There are numerous developments boosting sustainable finance, says Martina Cheung

S&P: Gas 'squeezed' by downturn, but renewables face 'crucial' 2020

The energy demand slump caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is set to "squeeze" gas demand, said S&P Global, amid "sticky" coal generation and persistent renewables growth - although renewables face their own challenges.

GPIF predicts equity boost and bond pain from more stringent climate policies

The largest pension fund in the world has estimated its equity portfolio could experience an accelerating valuation boost if more stringent climate policy restrictions are introduced to reach global targets, whereas its corporate bond portfolio could suffer deeper losses as policy tightens.