Does the defense industry have an ESG problem? Is there such a thing as an ethical bomb? These are questions emerging as the European Union ramps up investment in its defense sector as part of a broader rearmament effort. In this episode, we examine whether these concerns are well-founded or simply a dubious proposition. 

Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG Research

Guest: Olga Emelianova, MSCI ESG Research 

Egg prices in the US have soared, but is avian flu the only culprit? This week, we crack open the structural issues in the egg industry, from supply chain vulnerabilities to price-fixing allegations. Plus, what it all means for investors — and your breakfast. 

Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research

Guest: Cole Martin, MSCI ESG Research

In February 2025, the EU Commission proposed the first Omnibus Package of sustainability rules, with the aim of simplifying and reducing EU sustainability reporting requirements. But did it work? Has the outcome been "good" or "bad"? And what are these new rules set to do to the future of sustainable finance in the EU? Listen to this episode of ESG now to find out!

NOTE: The first 12:10 of this episode provides a background of what the Omnibus proposal actually proposes. If you just want our takes on the good, the bad, and the future of this proposal, skip that section!

Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG Research

Guest: Simone Ruiz-Vergote, MSCI ESG Research

Banks face growing pressure from regulators to assess the risks climate change poses to their loan portfolios. Some regions, like Europe, are tightening standards, while others, like the U.S., remain hesitant. Our latest research reveals that banks with high exposure to industrials—especially in APAC—could see default risks rise by 50% over the next decade. Will global banks adapt, or are we heading toward a financial blind spot? Find out on this episode of ESG now!

Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG Research

Guests: Anja Ludzuweit and Guilherme de Melo Silva, MSCI ESG Research

Oil and gas are in, renewables are out — at least, that’s what the headlines say. But what’s really happening in energy markets? We take a closer look at shifting U.S. policies, investor reactions, and how global energy trends might shape the future. 

Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research

Guests: Mathew Lee, Chris Cote & Elchin Mammadov, MSCI ESG Research

The quest for higher returns with lower risk is a fundamental principle of successful investing. Study after study shows that investors can use sustainability data to identify more profitable, less risky companies with higher long-term returns. But what about protecting your portfolio from massive drawdowns? Or better yet, seeing which sustainability data points matter most for which industries? Well, you're in luck because that is what this episode is all about!

Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG Research

Guests: Liz Houston and Xinxin Wang, MSCI ESG Research

What are climate scenarios? Can I do them myself, or do I need a supercomputer and an advanced degree to make them work? They are certainly important in this day and age, especially as once-in-a-lifetime destructive events seem to be becoming the norm. That’s why we decided to do an episode demystifying the whole process of climate scenario analysis. Luckily, our guest today, James Edwards, along with his co-authors, Nathan Faigle and Wenmin Li, wrote a practical guide on the topic called How can I use climate scenarios? A practical guide (link below). Thanks to their work, we were able to gather some useful tips on how even we, the humble listener, can conduct our very own climate scenario analysis. Enjoy!

Report: https://www.msci-institute.com/insights/comment/how-can-i-use-climate-scenarios-a-practical-guide/

Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG Research
Guest: James Edwards, MSCI Climate Risk Center

Fires continue to rage in Southern California, destroying homes and businesses and leaving thousands stranded. But Los Angeles and its surrounding areas are unfortunately not unique when it comes to wildfire risk. So where is the next fire likely to be? And what can investors do about it? We discuss on this week's episode of ESG now.

Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG Research
Guest: Katie Towey,  MSCI Climate Risk Center

One of Australia's biggest casinos is in big trouble, plagued by money laundering investigations and a dwindling pool of domestic gamblers. We look at whether the rise of online gambling may make problems like these redundant in future, and what new risks investors may want to be on the lookout for. 

Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research
Guest: SK Kim, MSCI ESG Research

Join us as we cover the sustainability and climate trends that our team thinks will shape the year head. We talk about the energy transition opportunities that are emerging in private markets, rising social risks and the tech giants, falling data access for AI models and much more. Here’s to a big, intriguing 2025!

Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research
Guests: Liz Houston, Namita Nair & Jonathan Ponder, MSCI ESG Research