In today’s episode, we cover:

• The focus and work of BNP Paribas Asset Management
• Mark’s role in sustainability research
• Sectors of focus for Mark’s team
• How ESG is used as a lens to analyze different sectors
• BNP Paribas Asset Management’s track record of Social Responsibility Investing
• Asset management industry’s shifting focus into more SRI and ESG investments
• The thesis that ESG investing will yield a greater return over the long term
• How his firm has applied ESG into how the firm and fund managers operate
• His firm’s ESG asset rating assigned to companies
• How his firm balances return objectives, values, and sustainability considerations
• The stigma around ESG
• Reasons why ESG leads to better performing companies
• Mark’s journey to sustainability-focused asset management
• How clients are a major driver behind sustainability investing
• Mark’s view on engaging with non-sustainable companies vs. divesting
• Comparing the global economic toll brought on by COVID-19 with climate change threats
• The need to make the world more resilient and adaptable to climate change
• The opportunity around energy storage
• How individuals should think of their own habits and behavior as it relates to climate change

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• BNP Paribas Sustainable Development: https://cib.bnpparibas.com/topics/sustainable+development
• ESG: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental,_social_and_corporate_governance
• SRI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socially_responsible_investing
• Sustainalytics: https://www.sustainalytics.com/
• MSCI: https://www.msci.com/
• True Cost Initiative: https://truecostsinitiative.org/
• Wells, Wires and Wheels: https://docfinder.bnpparibas-am.com/api/files/1094E5B9-2FAA-47A3-805D-EF65EAD09A7F

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant