The Sustainability Story

In this episode, Paul Moody interviews Clare Brook, a veteran of 24 years in sustainable finance who now leads Blue Marine Foundation. In their conversation Clare reflects on her journey from managing ESG funds and co-founding an investment firm to running an NGO dedicated to protecting the blue planet.   Clare and Paul dive into innovative ways finance can accelerate marine conservation. They discuss cutting-edge mechanisms like blue bonds and debt-for-nature swaps that can funnel significant funding to ocean protection in countries that need it most . Clare also introduces the idea of biodiversity credits, a new tool for valuing restored ecosystems and attracting investment into projects from seagrass meadows to coral reefs . She explains how blending public, private, and philanthropic capital can help scale these solutions, even as she acknowledges the challenges of aligning investor expectations with conservation realities.    Finally, Clare leaves listeners with an urgent yet hopeful call to action: finance professionals have a pivotal opportunity to drive meaningful impact in this space. Whether it’s backing transformative marine projects or simply using their influence to raise awareness.

Livio Stracca, Phd joins host Deborah Kidd, CFA, to introduce the innovative NGFS Short-Term Climate Scenarios. This groundbreaking tool is the first publicly available global resource designed to assess climate-related macroeconomic and sector risks over a five-year horizon for specific regions and industries. The scenarios demonstrate how extreme weather, policy shifts, and transition shocks could impact GDP, inflation, default probabilities, and financial stability within a time frame aligned with the decision-making process of central banks and financial institutions.

Nicole Gehrig speaks with Tamara Close, CFA, Senior Director of ESG Advisory for the Petra Funds Group, about the ongoing evolution of sustainable finance and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices within the institutional investment landscape. Tamara reflects on her career path, including her time at PSP Investments, and shares key insights into the shifting perceptions and integration of ESG issues into mainstream investment strategies. The discussion covers how institutional investors have evolved and increased in sophistication when it comes to their ESG practices. It looks as well at the regional disparities in adoption, the distinct roles of public versus private markets, and the growing expectations placed on asset managers by institutional investors. Nicole and Tamara also examine the increasing demand for transparency, high-quality data, and measurable outcomes, from institutional investors emphasizing the maturation of considering ESG issues from a values-driven approach to a financially material integrated investment framework.   Key Takeaways:  • Institutional investors have progressed from values-based investing to fully integrating ESG issues into risk management frameworks, aiming to create real world impact through their investments. • Public markets are increasingly seen as a risk management play for institutional investors focusing on ESG issues, whereas private markets present more opportunities to deliver measurable impact. • Transparency and evidence-based results are essential requirements for credible ESG strategies. • There are key questions institutional investors can use to help assess a fund manager's ESG integration maturity.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Tamara's Sustainability Story 05:08 How Institutional Investors Treat ESG Issues: Evolution and Trends 11:04 Regional Differences in ESG Practices and Regulations 15:13 Public vs. Private Markets: ESG Approaches 20:27 Expectations from Institutional Investors 23:30 Key Questions for Asset Managers on Integrating ESG Issues 27:41 Future of ESG Practices in Investment Strategies

Dr. Steve Waygood, Chief Sustainable Finance Advisor at Aviva Investors, shares insights from his 25-year journey in sustainable finance. He discusses the evolution from ethical investing to system-level stewardship, the under-pricing of climate risks in financial models, and the vital role of public policy in aligning markets with sustainability goals. Packed with real-world examples and forward-thinking advice, this episode is ideal listening for anyone interested in the future of finance and its role in tackling global challenges.

Mark Campanale, founder of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, shares critical insights on the looming risks of fossil fuel investments. He introduces the concept of the carbon bubble and its implications for investors and regulators. The discussion highlights the challenges of stranded assets as the world shifts to renewable energy and electric vehicles. Mark emphasizes the urgent need for clear governmental guidelines to phase out fossil fuels, while underscoring the necessity for fund managers to adapt strategies to safeguard financial stability in a changing climate.

In this episode of the Sustainability Story, host Nicole Gehrig, Director of Global Industry Standards at CFA Institute, discusses the importance of integrating nature-related risks into investment strategies with Mel Peh, CFA, an independent consultant for the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). They explore how nature-related risks, such as biodiversity loss and deforestation, can impact financial performance and the steps asset managers and owners can take to mitigate these risks. The conversation also highlights the use of frameworks and tools like the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosure framework and the ENCORE tool to better understand and manage these risks.

Join Paul Moody, Managing Director at CFA Institute, as he sits down with Dr. Ma Jun, President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS) and founder of CASI (Climate Action and Sustainability Initiative), for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of sustainable finance. In this engaging episode, Dr. Ma Jun shares his journey from shaping global sustainable finance policies to launching CASI, a groundbreaking initiative aiming to educate 100,000 professionals in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) by 2030. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities in scaling sustainable investment, the role of policy incentives, and how innovative financial frameworks can drive meaningful change.

In this episode of "The Sustainability Story," host Deborah Kidd, CFA, and Roman Kramarchuk, Head of Climate Markets and Policy Analytics at S&P Global Commodity Insights, delve into the significance of Article 6 adoption at COP29 and its implications for the role of carbon markets in achieving net-zero goals. Roman shares insights from his extensive experience in public policy and emissions and environmental markets. Their discussion also explores the use of carbon taxes versus carbon markets to achieve emissions reductions and the challenges that have been faced by voluntary carbon markets.

In this episode of the Sustainability Story podcast, host Nicole Gehrig welcomes Dr. Carmen Nuzzo, executive director of the Transition Pathway Initiative Centre (TPI Centre) at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The conversation centers around the TPI Centre's mission as the academic partner of the global investor initiative, highlighting the TPI tools, which provide independent, authoritative research and open-access data on corporate, bank, and sovereign entities’ progress in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Carmen explains how investors can leverage these tools to assess sustainability efforts and make informed decisions in their investment strategies. Join us for insights into the vital role of data in driving sustainable investment practices.

Host Deborah Kidd, CFA talks with Monika Freyman, CFA, Vice President of Sustainable Investing at Addenda Capital, about the challenges asset owners and asset managers face when aiming to protect portfolios from the financial impacts of climate change. Monika shares practical advice on developing a comprehensive investment policy, measuring and managing the complexities of climate risk, and balancing climate goals with fiduciary duty. She emphasizes the importance of adhering to fiduciary duty fundamentals by ensuring that investment practices remain sound when integrating climate considerations.