Mercer Senior Partner Christine Mahoney joins host Mike Wallberg, CFA, to unpack key findings from the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2025. She explains how 52 retirement income systems are evaluated on adequacy, sustainability, and integrity—and what those measures reveal about the resilience of retirement systems worldwide. The discussion explores government influence on pension investments, the principle of “retirement first,” and the role of policy incentives in balancing national priorities with member outcomes. Listen now to hear what’s driving pension reform and innovation globally.    Read the full report:

https://rpc.cfainstitute.org/research/reports/2025/mercer-cfa-institute-global-pension-index-2025

Bill Green, managing partner at Climate Adaptive Infrastructure, joins host Deborah Kidd, CFA, director, Global Industry Standards at CFA Institute, to discuss how climate change is reshaping risks and opportunities in critical infrastructure. He explains why infrastructure assets are uniquely exposed to what he calls the "triple threat" of physical, regulatory, and political risks—and why investing in climate-resilient infrastructure can be a pathway to more profitable infrastructure investing. From innovative models like "water-as-a-service" to shifting data center demand closer to renewable energy sources, Bill shares his insights into the future of infrastructure investing.

How do climate events, transition risks, and insurance costs shape the future of commercial mortgage-backed securities? Daniel Warcholak, CFA, Head of Capital Markets at Basis Investment Group, joins host, Nicole Gehrig, Director, Global Industry Standards at CFA institute, to share his perspective on how extreme weather events, sustainability transitions, and green incentives like LEED certification and C-PACE financing are reshaping investment strategies. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in securitized real estate debt, Daniel highlights the financial implications of climate risks and the opportunities emerging for investors.

Listen now to gain insights into how sustainability considerations are transforming real estate debt and capital markets.

In this episode, Paul Moody interviews Clare Brook, a veteran of 24 years in sustainable finance who now leads Blue Marine Foundation. In their conversation Clare reflects on her journey from managing ESG funds and co-founding an investment firm to running an NGO dedicated to protecting the blue planet.   Clare and Paul dive into innovative ways finance can accelerate marine conservation. They discuss cutting-edge mechanisms like blue bonds and debt-for-nature swaps that can funnel significant funding to ocean protection in countries that need it most . Clare also introduces the idea of biodiversity credits, a new tool for valuing restored ecosystems and attracting investment into projects from seagrass meadows to coral reefs . She explains how blending public, private, and philanthropic capital can help scale these solutions, even as she acknowledges the challenges of aligning investor expectations with conservation realities.    Finally, Clare leaves listeners with an urgent yet hopeful call to action: finance professionals have a pivotal opportunity to drive meaningful impact in this space. Whether it's backing transformative marine projects or simply using their influence to raise awareness.

Livio Stracca, Phd joins host Deborah Kidd, CFA, to introduce the innovative NGFS Short-Term Climate Scenarios. This groundbreaking tool is the first publicly available global resource designed to assess climate-related macroeconomic and sector risks over a five-year horizon for specific regions and industries. The scenarios demonstrate how extreme weather, policy shifts, and transition shocks could impact GDP, inflation, default probabilities, and financial stability within a time frame aligned with the decision-making process of central banks and financial institutions.

Dr. Steve Waygood, Chief Sustainable Finance Advisor at Aviva Investors, shares insights from his 25-year journey in sustainable finance. He discusses the evolution from ethical investing to system-level stewardship, the under-pricing of climate risks in financial models, and the vital role of public policy in aligning markets with sustainability goals. Packed with real-world examples and forward-thinking advice, this episode is ideal listening for anyone interested in the future of finance and its role in tackling global challenges.

Dan Boston, Lead Manager of Polar Capital’s International small Company Fund (PCSCX), shares his perspective on why international equities may be poised for a resurgence. The conversation unfolds amid sharp market volatility following President Trump’s announcement of sweeping new tariffs. With global markets down significantly, Dan and Mike explore the broader implications for asset classes including U.S. treasuries, oil, and international stocks. Tune in for a timely discussion on where global opportunities may lie in today’s unsettled investment landscape.

Mark Campanale, founder of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, talks with Paul Moody, Managing Director of Global Partnerships and Client Solutions at CFA Institute,  about the growing risks tied to fossil fuel investments. Mark explains the concept of the carbon bubble—the gap between the carbon in global reserves and what the climate can safely absorb—and what it means for investors, regulators, and financial markets. We explore stranded assets, shifting energy economics, and why renewables and EVs are rapidly changing the game. Packed with insights on climate risk, valuation, and policy, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

In this episode of the Sustainability Story, host Nicole Gehrig, Director of Global Industry Standards at CFA Institute, discusses the importance of integrating nature-related risks into investment strategies with Mel Peh, CFA, an independent consultant for the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). They explore how nature-related risks, such as biodiversity loss and deforestation, can impact financial performance and the steps asset managers and owners can take to mitigate these risks. The conversation also highlights the use of frameworks and tools like the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosure framework and the ENCORE tool to better understand and manage these risks.