Sustainability Now

After energy prices surged, oil and gas companies reported record profits in 2022. We discuss where this profit bonanza will end up and whether any of it will help the energy industry transition away from fossil fuels.Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Antonios Panagiotopoulos, MSCI ESG Research

As drought is followed by flood, there is renewed talk of how gene-editing techniques can be used to shield our agricultural system against the ravages of climate change. Recently, seed companies have turned to the targeted genome modification of plants using methods like Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats or CRISPR for short. We discuss what companies are involved in using CRISPR to make new gene-edited crops and what governments might be softening to their use. Then, we discussed the ruling by the EU that Meta’s ad practices were illegal under EU law.Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Cole Martin and Yoon Young Chung, MSCI ESG Research

The podcast discusses the importance of biodiversity and why it has taken longer for the investment community to examine it. They explore the critical threats biodiversity loss poses to food systems, water supplies, and the global economy. The recognition of biodiversity loss among financial regulatory and investment communities, new financial standards and regulations, and the implementation of biodiversity factors at MSCI are also discussed. The causes and consequences of deforestation, the need for supply chain monitoring and certification, and the upcoming COP15 conference's goals for biodiversity conservation are highlighted.

An audio exploration of our latest annual trend report on the ESG trends that may shape the environment for investors and companies in the year ahead. We discuss new digital policies in the EU, EU and China maybe embracing GMOs, lab grown commodities like pineapple leather(!), new fund regulations, and more!Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: The MSCI ESG Research Team

As COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh winds down, we talk to Oliver Marchand about his impressions from the conference. While staving off the worst effects of climate change is definitely getting harder, we also find some reasons for hope. Then we review an updated rule that is looking to clamp down on methane emissions from oil and gas wells in the US. The document is 504 pages long, but we promise a briefer precis.Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Oliver Marchand & Chris Cote, MSCI ESG Research

Glencore admitted to bribery in five African countries between 2011 and 2016. A £276 million payment ordered by a UK court highlights the financial risks of bribery. We take a look at the company’s broader ESG risks and how its operations create positive and negative externalities. And then, with COP27 in full swing, we walk through how climate change could affect the insurance industry.Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Sam Block & Cody Dong, MSCI ESG Research

Julia Giguere-Morello & Cole Martin from MSCI ESG Research discuss ESG impact and financial risk. They break down J&J and Nestle's different sides, addressing challenges and controversies in healthcare companies. They explore Nestle's environmental risk management, net zero target, and sustainable development goals. They also discuss interpretations of ESG and challenges in addressing child labor in the cocoa supply chain.

There’s much more to Tesla than electric vehicles. We tackle some apparent contradictions by looking at the company through four lenses: financial risk, environmental and social impact, climate risk and climate impact. And then, the rights of local communities prove to be a stumbling block for another Australian extractives company.Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Yu Ishihara & Gabriela De La Serna, MSCI ESG Research

What is ESG for? Why aren’t ESG ratings correlated between ratings providers? Is greenwashing a problem in the industry? Is ESG a scam? This week we define, in our words, what ESG investing actually is, and address some of the criticisms against the industry.Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Meggin Thwing Eastman, MSCI ESG Research

Exploring the board's responsibility in handling executive misconduct, assessing if scandals are isolated or systemic risks. Importance of board members understanding company culture. Metrics for assessing board effectiveness. Detection of executive misconduct. Devastating effects of Hurricane Ian and long-term rebuilding process. Relationship between climate change and storm intensity. Impacts of hurricanes: rainfall rates, inland and coastal flooding caused by storm surge. Companies at risk from tropical cyclones in Southeast Asia and coastal US. Methodology for assessing future cyclone impact on market value.