ESG

SEC disbands ESG enforcement division

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has disbanded the Climate and ESG Task Force within its division of enforcement, as the agency battles criticism that its focus on sustainability represents mission creep.

We see more value in PE than VC for climate investments, says Apollo

Apollo Global Management has said it is focusing its attention on larger-stage private equity climate investments as opposed to earlier-stage venture capital opportunities.

'Concessionary' returns discussion finally 'put to bed', says Apollo

The question of whether climate investing can produce positive outcomes and concessionary returns has finally been "put to bed", according to private equity investor Apollo.

Franco-German transition plans work can inform credibility assessments, France's IFD says

France's Institut de la Finance Durable (IFD) is preparing a guide to help financial analysts judge the credibility of private sector climate transition plans, which it suggested will build on discussions with a German government-mandated expert group.

SFDR and SDR both miss key sustainability distinctions, CFA says

Lack of detailed transition plans shows need for vigilance of climate 'leaders', NBIM says

Research showing that no high-emitting companies with decarbonisation targets has detailed plans to reach these shows investors must remain vigilant to inaction - even by companies viewed as climate 'leaders', according to a manager of Norway's $1.7 trillion 'oil fund'.

Avoided emissions database ready for use from December, Mirova says

A database that will 'standardise' the calculation of avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is set to be published ready for use from December, one of its financial institution backers has said.

Mirova creates research centre to spur blended finance with proof of impact

Mirova has launched a research centre it says will catalyse blended finance and impact investments by combining the knowledge of its investment teams with academic research in under-examined areas, including through the creation of a blended finance database.

Shortage of EM investment opportunities obstructing decarbonisation, pension fund says

The Church of England Pensions Board surveyed potential investment opportunities to contribute to "real world decarbonisation" in emerging markets - but came up short of ideas, it has said.

Amazon backs using SASB as basis for EU standards

Retail giant Amazon and asset manager Capital Group have lent their support to calls for the EU to base its sector-specific sustainability reporting standards on those used in the IFRS S2 standards.

MSCI: 'Striking' rise of climate adaptation in utility green bonds

MSCI said there has been a "striking increase" in the prominence of climate adaptation projects in green bonds from the utility sector, as attention focuses on strengthening transmission assets to extreme weather.

'Standardisation is simplification, not burden': EFRAG's de Cambourg in riposte to Draghi

One of the key figures behind the EU's sustainability reporting standards has defended them after they were criticised by political heavyweight Mario Draghi as contributing to the sustainability reporting burden.

One-in-three big emitters have 1.5°C-aligned targets - but none have detailed transition plan, says TPI

About 30% of the biggest corporate emitters of greenhouse gas emissions globally have long-term climate targets aligned with keeping warming to 1.5°C - but none have detailed plans on how to reach these targets, according to the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) Centre.

ISS ESG expands fund ratings to biodiversity