The ESG Agenda

To close Season 3 of The ESG Agenda, we look back at the highlights of the past year and say goodbye to our host, Amelia Pan. 

For three seasons we have brought together experts from across the world to examine how the ESG ecosystem is evolving.  ESG continues to shape board decisions across sectors and influence legislation globally. From investors role in the climate crisis, to the material implications of inclusion and diversity, we have unified a variety of perspectives to create a cohesive view of the changing landscape. You can look forward to Season 4 of The ESG Agenda in the Fall.

Emily Chew, Global Head of Sustainability for Morgan Stanley Investment Management, gives practical recommendations for corporate directors to understand how ESG issues can pose risks to business and how boards can develop their companies’ corporate strategy in the era of sustainability disruption. 

This week Hendrik Bartel, CEO and Co-Founder at TruValue Labs, reveals how AI and Big Data are shaping the way investors evaluate company ESG activities. Hendrik and host Amelia Pan examine the kinds of data that TruValue Labs collects, including the "outside-in" picture that excludes companies’ self-reported data in favour of external, objective data; and geo-locational data including weather, climate, and supplier information. Hendrik suggests the best way for companies to focus their sustainability communications is to understand the needs of their investors and deliver data in a searchable and consumable way.  

Joining Amelia for this episode is Greg Fewer, Chief Financial and Sustainability officer at Aldar Properties in the UAE.  Greg talks about why sustainability belongs in the management suite and how ESG helps attract new investors, lower borrowing costs and cut operating expenses. With the Gulf on the front line of climate change, Greg talks about how this Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer integrates ESG into development of more sustainable, climate-friendly real estate.

Jenn-Hui Tan, Global Head of Stewardship and Sustainable Investing at Fidelity International highlights three ESG investment themes that his global team is focused on this year: 1) valuing natural ecosystems, 2) addressing inequality, and 3) focusing on access to digital technology. And with more than 50% world’s population in Asia, Jenn-Hui discusses why engaging with Asian companies is an under-looked piece of the global ESG puzzle. 

Systemic racism leaves money on the table. That’s what Jacqueline Taiwo, Co-Founder of Black Women in Asset Management tells Amelia in this personal episode , which discusses the toll of being “the only”, the investment risk that racism poses to companies, and how closing the racial wealth gap could add trillions to US GDP. 

Catherine Howarth, CEO of Share Action talks about using AGMs to “nudge” companies to become more sustainable and how ranking investors on climate change, biodiversity and human rights can encourage them to lift their game.

Imagine a world without waste. This week, CEO Andrew Morlet of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation discusses the circular economy and how innovation and design can help us transition to a more regenerative and restorative model for economic growth. 

Evan Harvey, Nasdaq's Global Head of Sustainability, considers ESG the shared responsibility of all market participants. He gives us his perspective on the race toward universal ESG reporting standards, talks us through dynamic materiality, and discusses whether market forces or regulation are best placed to drive corporate sustainability.

As we move toward an economy that invests in intangibles like innovation, brand and reputation, what impact does that have on company value? We are joined by Professor Jonathan Haskel, Professor at Imperial College Business School and advisor to the Bank of England, to discuss how intangible factors are playing an increasingly important role in business performance and overall economic growth.