A labor dispute in the freight rail industry that brought the US to the brink of a potential economic catastrophe was averted this week, as unions and rail companies came to an agreement. One of the main reasons for the labor dispute was a newish system the rail industry was using that they claim maintained service while using fewer resources. We discussed why this new system is a paradigm for the current troubles many industries are having due to labor disputes, and what to watch when companies and labor have strife. Then, we discuss how institutional asset owners, some of the largest, most influential participants in the financial market, can take their portfolios toward net zero (this has more to do with you than you think).

The reading list for this episode is the Implementing Net-Zero: A Guide for Asset Owners found on MSCI.com: https://www.msci.com/www/research-report/implementing-net-zero-a-guide/03298099988

Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG Research

Guests: Bentley Kaplan and Sylvain Vanston, MSCI ESG Research