Michael Hurley

SFDR 'should set rules to stop lowball SLB targets' (Debt conference)

EU policymakers should set rules to govern sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs), to prevent issuers setting unfairly low sustainability targets and breathe new life into the ailing market, an investor argued.

UK transition guidance 'can boost SLB market' (Debt conference)

Draft guidelines for transition finance are likely to help UK companies in high-emitting industries communicate with investors, including via the issuance of sustainability-linked debt, a key member of the group that devised the guidance said.

Japanese reforms threaten to limit shareholder proposals, ClientEarth warns

Plans to reform Japan's Companies Act threaten to limit the ability of smaller shareholders to file shareholder proposals and harm sustainability-related stewardship, ClientEarth has warned.

Boards' 'hesitance' to engage with Japanese investors persists, GPIF says

Board members and CEOs at some Japanese companies remain "hesitant" to engage with institutional investors on topics including those relating to sustainability, according to a director at the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF).

GHG Protocol proposals risk complicating climate reporting, says EFRAG

Proposals by the GHG Protocol for a framework to account for clean power purchase agreements (PPAs), carbon credits and 'avoided emissions' risk undermining EU and other climate reporting rules, a paper by EU advisors says.

NBIM sides with BP over rejection of climate proposal

Iran war 'has accelerated ESG fund underperformance'

The underperformance of ESG-themed equity funds relative to conventional benchmarks has worsened since the start of the US war with Iran, according to research by Commerzbank, which it calls "a significant event for sustainable investing".

ETS price rise a risk if Iran war prompts gas-to-coal switch, says ING

EU countries considering using fossil fuels to plug gaps in energy generation instead of turning to renewables risk higher costs for businesses under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), according to ING.

'Gas-to-gas' transition bonds show dangers of Japanese strategy, thinktank says

Transition-labelled bonds by Japanese corporate issuers to replace gas infrastructure could set a dangerous precedent for deals that lead to limited emissions cuts or long-term entrenchment of fossil fuels, a think-tank argued.

Pension funds, insurers and regulators appointed to Canada taxonomy group

Representatives of Royal Bank of Canada, La Caisse and insurer Co-operators are among members of a newly appointed group to lead development of Canada's 'green and transition' sustainable finance taxonomy.