The World Environment Center & Arabesque, convened an Executive Roundtable to review the latest developments in ESG investment standards and data analytics. With a 50:50 split between North America and Europe participants, 42 senior executives, joined the conversation, including 23 representatives from 18 global companies, 14 from eight financial organizations, and five from NGO/academia.
There is now global acknowledgement that the climate crisis is posing an immediate threat to business and financial markets. In addition, companies with vulnerable supply chains, questionable labor standards, and a inability to innovate in the face of environmental and social challenges are especially exposed to financial risks. Leading financial institutions have reacted to these risks by integrating Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations into their portfolio management, and they have created international standards through initiatives such as the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). ESG data analytics are becoming an integral part of investment decisions. Meanwhile, ESG-related opportunities are also gaining in importance, with the framework of the UN SDGs serving as an important reference, while total impact measurement concepts are sitting at the doorstep to finally put an end to externalizing important costs of business action.
Note: WEC Executive Roundtables are conducted under the Chatham House Rule.
