Sustainability Now

The podcast delves into the SEC's climate disclosure rule drama, highlighting the regulations for greenhouse gas emissions, challenges faced by US companies in aligning with global standards, and the shift towards mandatory sustainability disclosures. It also explores the implications of the mandate on emissions benchmarking and governance structures for managing climate-related risks.

We have been reporting on board’s gender diversity since 2009, and while progress has undoubtedly been made, the road ahead is still long. Linda-Eling Lee from MSCI’s Sustainability Institute tells us why we started compiling this report in the first place, and how it has managed to remain relevant in 2024. Then, our colleague Christina Milhomem tells us what the numbers say- what has or hasn’t changed, which regulations are coming our way- and why investors should think of diversity as an indicator of management oversight.  Host: Gabriela de la Serna, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Linda-Eling Lee, MSCI Sustainability Institute; Christina Milhomem, MSCI ESG Research

ExxonMobil's legal battle with shareholders over climate proposals, SEC regulations impact on shale topics, litigation effects on smaller organizations and asset managers, significance of shareholder proposals for capital markets and dialogue

Guest Liz Houston, MSCI, discusses the need for transparency in the luxury industry supply chain, focusing on raw material sourcing and production. The podcast explores the challenges of tracing supply chains, highlights Burberry's commitment to sustainability, and discusses the importance of supply chain due diligence and technology integration. It also addresses regulation of raw materials, emphasizing the use of recycled materials and concerns around leadership in luxury companies.

In this podcast, Federico Darakdjian from MSCI ESG Research discusses the current cyber insurance market and how insurers are de-risking their positions through cyber catastrophe bonds. They explore the financial implications of cyber attacks, challenges faced by insurers, collaborations between insurance companies and cybersecurity firms, and the rapid expansion of the cyber insurance market.

Jon Ponder, an expert in MSCI Carbon Markets, joins the podcast to discuss the crisis in the audit industry. They explore deficiency rates in audits, conflicts of interest, pros and cons of larger and smaller audit firms, and challenges in the accounting labor market.

Expert guests Mike Disabato and Harlan Tufford discuss the recent safety issues at Boeing, including compromises in safety for short-term gains, the impact of old fleets on emissions, and the lack of safety incentives in Boeing's board. They emphasize the importance of prioritizing safety and examining the management team's commitment to it.

Biodiversity is everywhere from food production to pharmaceutical drugs, so the biodiversity crisis puts both society and the global economy at risk. And while it is like the climate crisis in its cause, there are complexities and measurement difficulties that make the biodiversity crisis a distinct problem for investors to address compared to the climate crisis. On this episode we sat down with our colleague Arne Klug to understand where this complexity comes from and how can investors go about it when trying to include biodiversity in their investment practices.  Host: Gabriela de la Serna, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Arne Klug, MSCI ESG Research

The podcast explores the status and future of carbon markets in 2023 and 2024, addressing concerns about their effectiveness and the need for improved methodologies. They discuss the different types of carbon markets and the significance of vintage years in carbon credits. The chapter also highlights public opinions and the increased retirement of credits, as well as efforts to improve market integrity. The episode ends with expressions of gratitude and a disclaimer.

Liz Houston from MSCI ESG Research discusses the sustainability and climate trends to watch for in 2024. Topics include the impact of AI on productivity, risks in sustainable investing, extreme heat's effect on homeowners and workers, auditing practices, and building better boards.