The Sustainability Story

Discover the ins and outs of sustainability regulations in the EU with Patrik Karlsson, a senior policy officer at the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), and Josina Kamerling, head of regulatory outreach for CFA Institute for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region at CFA Institute. Gain valuable insights into the Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and its implementation, as well as the ongoing consultation on some changes to the requirements. Patrick shares his thoughts on greenwashing, the role of ESMA and other European Supervisory Authorities in applying SFDR, and the importance of acknowledging the responsibility of the finance sector to provide disclosure. Dive deeper into the complex world of financial services rulemaking in the EU as we explore the framework law, regulatory and implementing technical standards, guidance and Q&A's, and supervisory convergence in relation to SFDR. Learn about the importance of case studies as a tool for illustrating how the rules are meant to be applied and the consultation paper on tweaks recently issued by ESMA. Additional topics include the significance of close collaboration between financial market participants and regulators, the EU's dynamic process for regulation making, the UK's proposed measures to address greenwashing, the FCA's labeling regime, and the call for evidence on the fund naming process to help prevent greenwashing. Don't miss this enlightening conversation with Patrik Karlsson on the complexities of sustainability disclosures and the crucial role of regulation in preventing greenwashing.

How can capital markets drive meaningful change in the fight against climate risk? Join Paul Andrews, head of Research, Advocacy, and Standards at CFA Institute for an insightful discussion with our esteemed guest, Mindy Lubber, President and CEO of Ceres, as they unpack the importance of integrating sustainability into capital markets and the economic implications of climate change. Mindy emphasizes the crucial connection between climate risk and financial risk, and the role of investors in mitigating such risks by engaging with companies to adopt emissions reduction goals. Together, they highlight the four pillars of success — investors, the investment community, corporates, and governments — and the significance of unifying these forces for a sustainable future.       (0:00:42) - Climate Risk Is Financial Risk (11 Minutes)   We discuss the importance of understanding that climate risk is financial risk and why a systems approach is needed to address it. We explore how companies must recognize the economic implications of climate change and why investors have to mitigate risk by engaging with companies to put in emissions reduction goals. We also highlight the four pillars of success: investors, the investment community, corporates, and governments and authorities, and the importance of bringing these together in a more forceful way.   (0:10:48) - Systems Change for Financial Rules (2 Minutes)   We tackle the challenges of creating systems change necessary to address climate risk and its financial implications. We emphasize the need for equitable and consistent regulations across the entire economy, and how the Ceres Accelerator for Capital Market Systems is striving to create lasting, positive change. We also examine the role of financial players, analysts and others in constructing a more sustainable future.

Join our 3 CFA Institute hosts, Andres Vinelli, chief economist, Josina Kamerling, Head of Regulatory Outreach, and Deborah Kidd, Director of Global Industry Standards for new episodes starting in June 2023. 

We talk with Cindy Rose, Head of Responsible Capitalism, Liontrust Asset Management. We discuss some of the definitional and terminology issues challenging the sustainability and ESG world. We also talk about the materiality of sustainability data and how asset managers can develop a materiality framework, to take a systematic approach to focusing on the sustainability metrics that matter.

We talk with Mauro Rodrigues da Cunha, Independent Director. Mauro has decades of experience in the corporate governance world, with a long history of fighting for better shareowner rights. We talk about the history of corporate governance and sustainability in Brazil, the upcoming Brazilian Presidential elections and how the climate crisis and the Amazon rainforest is viewed in Brazil. 

We talk to Suzanne Johnson, Senior Advisor at United Nations Global Compact and Head of Sustainability Program for LLoyd's Register Foundation. We talk about what happened at the recent UN Oceans conference and what investors should know about the ocean and how our livelihoods, markets and lives are tied to it.

We talk with Susan Krumdieck, Professor and Chair in Energy Transition at Heriot-Watt University, about transition engineering. We discuss how transition engineering will change how we approach sustainability issues and impact our economy. We talk about why hydrogen will not lead the clean energy transition and how we get to a sustainable future through practical solutions.

We talk with Dean Alborough, Head of ESG at Old Mutual Alternative Investments. We discuss how private markets integrate sustainability risks and opportunities. We also talk about the current state of sustainable investing and sustainable policy in Africa.

We talk with Timothee Parrique, doctor in economics and researcher at Lund University. We discuss degrowth, what it is, what it isn’t and how our obsession with GDP and growth are flawed measures of progress. We talk about why “green growth” is not the answer to the climate and biodiversity challenges we face and what a world that has embraced degrowth would look like. We end with a great list of resources for those looking to explore the topic further. You can find more resources at; https://timotheeparrique.com/

We talk to Matt Moscardi, CEO of FreeFloat Media. We discuss the creation of ESG ratings and how they have been used correctly and incorrectly through the years. We talk about the future of ESG, Sabermetrics for corporate boards, and Italian Rugby players with podcasts.