A selection of the major stories impacting ESG investors, in five easy pieces.  In the two weeks since our last blog, concepts of leadership on climate and sustainable investing have been further reshaped. Green kingdom – Late last week, Saudi Arabia unveiled its Green Financing Framework, which seeks to attract funding for a range of sustainable investment opportunities, aligned with…

Justine Leigh-Bell, Executive Director at Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute, surveys the sustainability-linked bond market and outlines steps to widen the investor base. Sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs), which first emerged in late 2019, have seen a ramp-up in adoption, as more corporates and sovereigns set ambitious commitments to transition towards net zero carbon emissions. The market has grown to US$279 billion, totalling…

Semiconductor producers’ growing demand for water could outstrip reliable supply, explains Erica de Souza, APAC Regional Manager, Water Security at CDP.   What does a Toyota Prius, a dishwasher and a long-range laser-guided hypersonic missile have in common? The answer is semiconductors, the ubiquitous microchips that power the modern economy. They underpin the transformative innovations, like artificial intelligence, that are…

Latin America’s next phase of impact investing must embrace the region’s specific challenges and opportunities, says Ahmad El Jurdi, Principal at Lightrock. In recent years, Latin America has been at the core of a paradox within the global investment landscape. On one hand, the region experienced a significant downturn in funding in 2021, reflecting broader global economic challenges and investor…

Analysis shows US support for climate-focused shareholder proposals diverged from EU, as investor-led initiative updates FAQs to further assuage anti-trust concerns. A new report from Morningstar has found the proxy-voting records for 20 high-profile climate resolutions last year contradicted accusations of collusion levelled at Climate Action 100+ (CA100+). The investor-led initiative has faced accusations of collusive behaviour from some US…

Livestock funding swells US banks’ financed emissions, research warns, as Brazil’s cattle sector told to get to grips with transition.  Livestock producers and their financial backers stand to benefit financially and strategically by accelerating their transition to more sustainable practices, according to new research.   But the reports also highlight the environmental and revenue risks from current finance flows, which are currently…