A Sustainable Future

How are asset owners emerging to drive the sustainable finance agenda? Listen to Jason Mitchell discuss with Daan Spaargaren, PME Senior Strategist for Responsible Investment, about how PME is evolving its investment approach to include more active, sustainability-driven strategies; what that means functionally in the asset allocation process; and why it’s great to see asset owners like PME take on a bigger leadership role in the sustainable finance ecosystem.

What trade-offs will we need to make to achieve net zero? Listen to Jason Mitchell discuss with Alex Grant, Equinor UK Country Manager, about the state of the energy transition, the trade-offs that we are increasingly facing between security of supply, affordability and decarbonisation; and emerging energy technologies.

How economically grounded is the UK’s net zero commitment? Listen to Jason Mitchell discuss with Professor Sir Dieter Helm, University of Oxford, about what new forces and factors are reshaping net zero ambitions; how the UK should think about optimal climate policy; and why a realist approach is critical for navigating the political economy factors of climate action.

Professor Saleem Ali from the University of Delaware discusses the global dynamics of rare earths and critical minerals, emphasizing the political and economic pressures shaping supply chains. He highlights the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, revealing the resource demands and environmental implications involved. Ali advocates for a circular economy and proposes a mineral trust to ensure equitable access and sustainable practices. The conversation also touches on the role of blockchain in enhancing traceability within resource management.

What happens if access to US climate data becomes more limited? Listen to Jason Mitchell discuss with Professor Benjamin Horton, Director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, about what the political changes in the US could mean for the international scientific community; how that impact translates into access and availability of critical climate datasets; and why some climate scientists are already thinking about substitutes plans and worst case scenarios.

How are asset owners reallocating towards sustainability? Listen to Jason Mitchell discuss with Dan Mikulskis, People’s Partnership CIO, about how the People’s Partnership is doing to evolve its investment strategy; what that means functionally for in a responsible investment context; and why asset owners like People’s Partnership are taking on a bigger leadership role in sustainable finance.

Hortense Bioy, Head of Sustainable Investing Research at Morningstar, dives into the evolving landscape of sustainable investing. She discusses how investment flows have shifted in recent years and what the suspension of net zero initiatives means for investors. Bioy highlights the challenges posed by greenwashing and the need for greater transparency in the industry. Additionally, she delves into the contrasting sustainability regulations between Europe and the U.S., emphasizing the implications for future investment strategies.

In this discussion, Professor Tom Gosling, a specialist in financial markets from the London School of Economics, shares insights on the future of net zero commitments among investors. He examines whether financial institutions will reset their strategies, recalibrate their goals, or retreat entirely amidst shifting alliances. The conversation highlights the complexities of climate initiatives, the evolving significance of the 1.5°C target, and the necessity for genuine engagement in decarbonization efforts. Gosling argues that investor influence, while constrained, remains vital for effective climate policy.

Is sustainable investing facing its own replication crisis? Listen to Jason Mitchell discuss with Professor Andrew King, Boston University, about what the replication crisis represents for sustainable finance; how to think about the incentive problems impacting academic research; and why academic journals and the academic-practitioner community need to be more open to the replication and challenge of existing studies.

How do neighbourhoods shape economic opportunities for children? Listen to Jason Mitchell discuss with Professor Stefanie Deluca, Johns Hopkins University, about why neighbourhoods matter for creating social mobility; some of the outcomes and challenges in her recent paper, “Creating Moves to Opportunity”; and what it takes to create more high-opportunity zones, so families don’t have to continually uproot and move.Professor Stefanie DeLuca is the James Coleman Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at the Johns Hopkins University, director of the Poverty and Inequality Research Lab, and Research Principal at Opportunity Insights at Harvard University. She is one of the foremost qualitative mixed methods researchers on housing and higher education policy. Professor DeLuca co-authored Coming of Age in the Other America, which was named an Outstanding Academic Title from the American Library Association, and won the William F. Goode Award from the American Sociological Association. Stefanie has also been awarded a National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Fellowship and a William T. Grant Foundation Scholars Award. She serves on a Federal Research Advisory Commission at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and was named Scholar of the Year by the National Alliance of Resident Services in Assisted and Affordable Housing.