Sustainability Now

Florian Sommer, Climate governance expert at MSCI ESG Research, discusses the impact of climate experts on corporate boards and the complexity of successful climate governance. The podcast explores how director expertise influences climate targets, the influence of climate experts on company attributes, and the importance of a holistic approach in driving effective climate strategies.

Guest Cole Martin from MSCI ESG Research discusses the issue of child labor in cocoa harvesting and Nestlé's efforts to combat it using enhanced mapping technology. The podcast explores the impacts of climate change on cocoa production, advancements in supply chain traceability, and challenges in addressing child labor in the industry.

Exploring the complexities of plastic waste management, challenges in achieving practical recycling goals, regulations targeting plastic pollution and greenwashing, and strategies for investors to address circular economy challenges and stakeholder collaboration.

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.