Investors call for greater clarity and certainty on regulatory expectations around sustainable finance disclosures. Convergence of ESG fund rules is still some way off, according to leading regulators, disappointing the hopes of asset managers and clients for alignment that would reduce costs and complexity. Speaking at the UK Investment Association’s (IA) Sustainability and Responsible investment Conference, regulatory experts said major…

Shareholders argue the company’s aggressive legal action undermines shareholder rights and the US SEC’s authority.   Tensions are rising between oil and gas major ExxonMobil and its climate-focused shareholders, as investors push back against the company’s intimidation tactics.  Exxon filed a lawsuit in January against investment manager Arjuna Capital and activist group Follow This in response to their shareholder proposal, which…

A selection of the major stories impacting ESG investors, in five easy pieces.  People and planet have been put on an equal footing by standards setters. Capital investments – The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) finally confirmed its next move, having completed much of the heavy lifting on its standards for climate and general sustainability disclosures. Following an extensive consultation…

Storebrand Head of Climate and Environment Emine Isciel stresses the need for governments to take effective measures to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework, specifically on the alignment of financial flows. As countries begin the countdown to the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Colombia later this year, the pressure is mounting on governments to develop ambitious – and…

Nature-focused scenario mapping and valuation are deemed pivotal to managing water stress as global warming worsens.   Most companies globally are still failing to account for water-related risks in their business operations and supply chains, industry experts warned during Rathbones Greenbank’s 27th Investor Day.  “Last year, we saw the first year of 1.5°C warming, and that is having a flywheel effect…

Dame Sara Thornton, Consultant on Modern Slavery at CCLA IM and former Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, says investors can help to protect workers. Over the last year there has been growing evidence of exploitation in the UK care sector. Unscrupulous opportunists here and overseas have exploited the desire of workers to obtain social care visas and have either abandoned them in…

Jessye Waxman, Senior Campaign Strategist at Sierra Club, argues that investors are failing to adapt to a new era of risk ahead of the 2024 AGM season. April marks the start of AGM season, the time of year when global investors are preparing to vote on critical matters at companies in their portfolios that have a significant impact on the climate….