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Planet Money

Two Indicators: The fight over ESG investing

Dec 21, 2022
Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, champions the cause of ESG investing, sparking debates around its true impact. George Serafim from Harvard sheds light on the challenges of reliable sustainability metrics. They discuss the backlash against 'woke investing' from some politicians and the emergence of anti-woke funds. The conversation dives into the balance between profitability and responsible investing, questioning whether ESG is genuinely transformative or merely a pacifier for investors. Transparency in corporate practices and shifts in investor perspectives also take center stage.
21:38

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The fight over ESG investing reflects the clash between social purpose and profit motives.
  • ESG investing highlights the importance of incremental change and corporate accountability for sustainability.

Deep dives

Larry Fink Advocates for ESG Investing at BlackRock

Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, has been championing ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing for years, emphasizing companies' roles in environmental responsibility, fair labor practices, and ethical governance. His stance, promoting social purpose alongside profit, has sparked mixed reactions, leading to political backlash and the rise of anti-woke investing in some states.

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