ESG Currents

Nearly 80% of the world’s 150 top CO2-emitting companies have stated net-zero ambitions for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050 or sooner, according to Climate Action 100+’s recent Net Zero Company Benchmark 2.0 report. However, the same study finds only 24% of companies assessed have short-term targets aligned with a 1.5-degree Celsius trajectory. On this episode of the ESG Currents podcast, Francois Humbert, Climate Action 100+’s (CA 100+) global investor representative and current Steering Committee Chair, joins Eric Kane, Bloomberg Intelligence’s director of ESG research, to discuss how the CA100+ has influenced company progress and investor behavior, and why we need to move to actions from words. This conversation was recorded on Nov. 23, 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Critics discuss replacing ESG with 'Rational Sustainability.' They debate the evolution of ESG and the importance of evidence-based analysis. The podcast explores the link between societal impact and profitability, carbon emissions, and industry efficiency. It also highlights the challenges of prioritizing rational sustainability over short-term gains in investing.

Founded in 1998, Impax Asset Management is a pioneer in investing in the transition to a more sustainable economy. On this episode of the ESG Currents podcast, Ian Simm, Impax’s Founder and CEO, joins Eric Kane, Bloomberg Intelligence’s director of ESG research, to discuss the evolution of the ESG space, single vs. double materiality, net zero vs. net-zero aligned, the complexity of biodiversity, why “green is not black and white” and much more. This episode was recorded on Feb. 12.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asset Managers can find it difficult to navigate through all the noise related to the climate transition as the lack of standard data and quality of disclosures affects aspirations of reaching net-zero targets. In this episode of ESG Currents, BI analysts Shaheen Contractor and Chris Ratti are joined by Rob Fernandez and Tim Coffin from Breckinridge Capital Advisors. The two guests provide views into what the asset-management industry is looking at when it comes to the climate shift, with valuable insights into assessing the credibility of net-zero goals and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Inflation Reduction Act is an import signal that the United States is putting out to the world that is leading to real investments, yet its potential will soon come up against some very real roadblocks, says Aniket Shah, Managing Director at Jefferies. In this episode of Bloomberg Intelligence’s ESG Currents podcast, Shah discusses these threats to the energy transition and decarbonization with Chris Ratti, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Senior ESG Credit Analyst. They also talk about the future of green financing instruments.  This episode was recorded on January 10.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A quarter of the world’s population is currently exposed to extremely high water stress each year, and that’s expected to grow to 60% by 2050, according to World Resources Institute’s recent Aqueduct 4.0 report. On this episode of the ESG Currents podcast, Sara Walker, WRI’s Director of Corporate Water Engagement, joins Eric Kane, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Director of ESG Research to discuss corporate water targets, water accounting, the concept of ‘virtual water’, and why the local problem of water has global implications. The episode recorded as of October 19. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gender lens investing remains a complex theme, seeing growing interest from investors and regulators in some regions and a backlash in others. In this episode of ESG Currents, BI analysts, Shaheen Contractor and Rob Du Boff are joined by Audrey Kaplan, the senior portfolio manager of Robeco Global Gender Equality Impact Equity Portfolio to discuss her work, ways in which one can evaluate companies, useful metrics, shareholder advocacy and measures of success. This episode was recorded on Nov. 9.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate Investing has evolved from a focus on portfolio exclusions to a diverse set of products, such as low-carbon solutions. In this episode of ESG Currents, senior ESG strategist Shaheen Contractor is joined by Leslie Samuelrich, the president of Green Century Capital Management, to discuss the evolution of climate investing, demand drivers, shareholder advocacy and measures of success. Green Century is one of the oldest environmental fund managers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corporate deliberations on ESG often revolve not only around shareholders, but also the relationships with employees, customers, governments, the local community and even the planet. But sometimes tensions can arise between these various groups, and one stakeholder can be vital to helping corporate managers navigate these challenges: the lawyers. On this episode of ESG Currents, senior ESG Analyst Rob Du Boff is joined by Abigail Gampher Takacs of Bloomberg Law to chat with Danielle Reyes, a partner and co-chair of the ESG & Impact practice at Goodwin Procter, to discuss the legal issues facing corporations and investors. This episode was recorded on Nov. 27.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past three years, Starbucks has become a notable battleground for the resurgence of the American labor union. Amid continuous pushback from management, the unions are now leveraging a new tool in the fight -- corporate governance.  The Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), a coalition of labor unions, recently began its first activist campaign, seeking three seats on the Starbucks board at the annual meeting this spring. On this episode of ESG Currents, senior ESG analyst Rob Du Boff spoke with Tejal Patel, corporate governance director at SOC Investment Group, to discuss why the unions decided to go active, what it would take to win, and other issues at the intersection of Social and Governance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.