TuesdayMar 25, 2025 10:00 am

Data Officers and the Crucial Role They Play in ESG Accountability

The popularity of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) accountability has grown over the past couple of years as expectations of investors, consumer demand and regulatory scrutiny continues to increase. Given that more and more organizations are relying on their data to drive sustainability initiatives, it is surprising that data officers remain underutilized in this field. Figures from the 2024 CxO survey show that for most organizations, sustainability isn’t a primary focus despite the fact that data officers prioritize business efficiency and artificial intelligence. At the moment, about 25% of data officers are involved in sustainability metrics oversight. This calls attention…

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FridayMar 21, 2025 10:00 am

Study Finds Addressing ESG Risks is Linked to Improved Stock Market Performance

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies can greatly enhance value for private equity funds when implemented effectively. A recent study has found that shares of private equity funds publicly listed on exchanges tend to perform better if the companies had low ESG risk scores, underscoring the financial benefits of strong ESG management. The study, conducted by A&M, analyzed data obtained on 16 listed firms, which collectively managed about 1,800 portfolio investments and held roughly $6.3 trillion in assets under management. Among these firms were some of the largest private market companies in the world, including BlackRock, Apollo, Ares, KKR, and…

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ThursdayMar 20, 2025 10:00 am

The Omnibus Package Seeks to Redefine the EU’s Sustainability, ESG Regulations

A few weeks ago, the European Commission introduced measures aimed at streamlining and simplifying sustainability reporting for businesses. The measures housed under the Omnibus package address key regulatory frameworks, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the EU Taxonomy and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Below, we explore some of the key changes proposed in this package. Changes to the CSDDD The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive requires large corporations to assess the impact of their operations on people and the environment and to address any negative effects within their supply chains.…

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TuesdayMar 18, 2025 10:00 am

Why ESG is Now a Fiscal Imperative for Companies

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks have grown in importance these last couple of years as sustainability becomes a more significant concern for consumers, investors and corporations alike. A recent survey even determined that ESG factors are increasingly being considered in M&A decisions, with dealmakers that don’t consider these factors being deemed financially irresponsible. The increasing emphasis on ESG reflects a broader shift in the corporate landscape, with businesses being expected to operate transparently and responsibly, not just for ethical reasons, but also for regulatory and financial compliance. One major driver of this shift is regulatory action. Just recently, the…

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FridayMar 14, 2025 10:00 am

Strategic ESG Can Help Firms Create Long Term Value

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles help to evaluate a company’s business practices as well as its performance on different sustainability issues. With the global awareness of sustainability growing, this framework has become essential for businesses focused on remaining competitive in today’s growing market. The regulatory landscape of this framework has also evolved considerably these past few years, with reporting frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requiring companies to report on the impact of their activities on society as well as the environment. As regulatory bodies impose stricter reporting guidelines, companies must adapt to these requirements or risk financial…

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ThursdayMar 13, 2025 10:00 am

Sustainability Leaders Explain Why ESG is Unlikely to Die

Despite growing political opposition and criticism, ESG remains a transformative force in corporate strategy. According to the Ipsos ESG Council, which is comprised of senior sustainability leaders from leading global organizations, ESG is helping transform corporate behavior. One of the primary reasons why ESG is unlikely to fade is the adoption of new ESG regulations. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive already requires that firms report on the impact of their activities on the society and the environment. Additionally, the development and adoption of ESG regulations is helping to standardize reporting practices, ensuring greater accountability and transparency across industries. Council members…

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TuesdayMar 11, 2025 10:00 am

Courts are Holding More Firms Accountable as Greenwashing Incidents Increase

Greenwashing refers to the practice of making deceptive or false claims about a firm’s products or practices and whether they are safe for the environment. Recent data shows that greenwashing incidents have risen significantly over the past 4 years, with an increasing number of sustainability claims found to be false. Figures from last year indicate that over 900 companies were linked to greenwashing incidents, particularly in the banking and financial services, food and beverage, and oil and gas sectors. In response, legislators are imposing stricter regulations on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. Among the first regulators to set up…

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FridayMar 07, 2025 10:00 am

An Analysis of ESG, its Benefits and Criticisms

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria have become very popular in recent years as investors and stakeholders emphasize the importance of ethical business practices and sustainability. Bodies like the European Commission have even introduced ESG regulations focused on sustainability, like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, which mandates that large companies disclose detailed ESG data for better transparency and accountability. This has seen many companies begin measuring and reporting their ESG performances to demonstrate their commitment to responsible business practices, with strong performances enhancing a firm’s reputation and making it more attractive to investors. These developments come as investors, particularly institutional…

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ThursdayMar 06, 2025 10:00 am

Major Pension Fund Pulls $35 Billion from State Street Over ESG Concerns

Earlier this week, the People’s Pension moved $35 billion in assets to Amundi and Invesco following an increase in ESG concerns. The People’s Pension is one of the biggest pension funds in the UK, provided by People’s Partnership. The pension’s assets were previously managed by global financial services firm State Street, which is currently managing only $6.2 billion of investments. Prior to this announcement, State Street reported that only 7% and 6% of social and environmental shareholder proposals had received support, respectively. These figures represent an almost 50% drop in support for the tackling of social issues and a 14%…

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TuesdayMar 04, 2025 10:00 am

EU Now Exempts 8-in-10 Firms from ESG Reporting

Last week, the European Commission introduced its Omnibus Simplification package. This package contains a series of measures focused on reducing sustainability reporting requirements and regulatory burdens for firms. These measures include capping the sustainability data that large banks and firms can request from smaller firms and eliminating a percentage of firms from the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive’s scope. In its statement, the Commission explained that it expected these measures to create roughly €6.4 billion ($6.68 billion) in annual administrative cost savings for firms. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) establishes reporting requirements on the impact of a firm’s actions on…

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