The Sustainability Story

Simone Ruiz-Vergote: Decoding SFDR 2.0 for Asset Managers and Investors

CFA Institute — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0100

Simone Ruiz-Vergote, Head of Sustainable Finance Policy Research at MSCI, joins host Nicole Gehrig, Director of Global Industry Standards at CFA Institute, to discuss the European Commission's proposed reforms to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR 2.0). They examine the move toward clearer sustainability product categories, expectations around data and substantiation, and how asset managers can prepare for the next phase of sustainable finance regulation. The conversation also explores global interoperability, the role of transition and impact strategies, and what success could look like for SFDR 2.0 in improving transparency, comparability, and investor confidence. Listen now to gain practical insights into one of the most significant regulatory developments shaping sustainable finance in Europe and beyond.

Sajia Ferdous: Rewriting Work in the Age of Longevity and AI

CFA Institute — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0100

Guest host Tiffany Tivasuradej, Inclusion Research Associate, speaks with Dr. Sajia Ferdous of Queen's Business School about her research on aging, workplace inclusion, and the convergence of human longevity with AI-driven work. They discuss algorithmic ageism, multigenerational workplaces, and why investment firms must rethink human capital strategies for longer, more digitally integrated careers. Join us for a forward-looking conversation on maintaining a sustainable workforce in an age of technological acceleration.

Emma Harvey Smith: Mobilizing Global Capital for a Sustainable Future

CFA Institute — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0100

Emma Harvey Smith, Managing Director of Partnerships at Green Finance Institute, joins host Paul Moody, Managing Director of Global Partnerships and Client Solutions at CFA Institute, to discuss how finance can drive the transition to a net zero and nature-positive economy. From leading the UK's first green mortgage initiative to scaling impact across nine countries, Emma shares insights on the Green Finance Institute's mission, the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors, and the emerging opportunities in nature-based finance. She also offers valuable advice for professionals eager to enter the sustainability and finance space. Listen now to explore how finance is shaping a more resilient, sustainable world.

Bill Green: Rethinking Infrastructure Investing for a Changing Climate

CFA Institute — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

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.

Daniel Warcholak, CFA: Understanding Climate Risk in Mortgage-Backed Securities

CFA Institute — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0000

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.

Clare Brook: From Sustainable Finance to Ocean Impact in the Blue Economy

CFA Institute — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000

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: Pioneering Short-Term Climate Scenarios for Financial Decision-Making

CFA Institute — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000

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.

Tamara Close, CFA: The Evolution of ESG Practices for Institutional Investors

CFA Institute — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Nicole Gehrig speaks with Tamara Close, CFA, Senior Director of ESG Advisory for the Petra Funds Group, about the ongoing evolution of sustainable finance and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices within the institutional investment landscape. Tamara reflects on her career path, including her time at PSP Investments, and shares key insights into the shifting perceptions and integration of ESG issues into mainstream investment strategies. The discussion covers how institutional investors have evolved and increased in sophistication when it comes to their ESG practices. It looks as well at the regional disparities in adoption, the distinct roles of public versus private markets, and the growing expectations placed on asset managers by institutional investors. Nicole and Tamara also examine the increasing demand for transparency, high-quality data, and measurable outcomes, from institutional investors emphasizing the maturation of considering ESG issues from a values-driven approach to a financially material integrated investment framework. Key Takeaways: • Institutional investors have progressed from values-based investing to fully integrating ESG issues into risk management frameworks, aiming to create real world impact through their investments. • Public markets are increasingly seen as a risk management play for institutional investors focusing on ESG issues, whereas private markets present more opportunities to deliver measurable impact. • Transparency and evidence-based results are essential requirements for credible ESG strategies. • There are key questions institutional investors can use to help assess a fund manager's ESG integration maturity. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Tamara's Sustainability Story 05:08 How Institutional Investors Treat ESG Issues: Evolution and Trends 11:04 Regional Differences in ESG Practices and Regulations 15:13 Public vs. Private Markets: ESG Approaches 20:27 Expectations from Institutional Investors 23:30 Key Questions for Asset Managers on Integrating ESG Issues 27:41 Future of ESG Practices in Investment Strategies

Steve Waygood: Building a Sustainable Financial System

CFA Institute — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:40:00 +0000

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.

Mark Campanale: The Carbon Bubble and Future of Fossil Fuels

CFA Institute — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000

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.

Mel Peh, CFA: Guidance for Integrating Nature-Related Risks into Investment Strategies

CFA Institute — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:24:00 -0100

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.

Dr. Ma Jun: The Future of Sustainable Finance

CFA Institute — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:07:00 -0100

Join Paul Moody, Managing Director at CFA Institute, as he sits down with Dr. Ma Jun, President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS) and founder of CASI (Climate Action and Sustainability Initiative), for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of sustainable finance.

In this engaging episode, Dr. Ma Jun shares his journey from shaping global sustainable finance policies to launching CASI, a groundbreaking initiative aiming to educate 100,000 professionals in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) by 2030. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities in scaling sustainable investment, the role of policy incentives, and how innovative financial frameworks can drive meaningful change.

Roman Kramarchuk: Navigating Carbon Markets—Insights from COP29 and Beyond

CFA Institute — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 07:45:00 -0100

In this episode of "The Sustainability Story," host Deborah Kidd, CFA, and Roman Kramarchuk, Head of Climate Markets and Policy Analytics at S&P Global Commodity Insights, delve into the significance of Article 6 adoption at COP29 and its implications for the role of carbon markets in achieving net-zero goals. Roman shares insights from his extensive experience in public policy and emissions and environmental markets. Their discussion also explores the use of carbon taxes versus carbon markets to achieve emissions reductions and the challenges that have been faced by voluntary carbon markets.

Carmen Nuzzo: Insights from the Transition Pathway Initiative Centre

CFA Institute — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 13:37:00 -0100

In this episode of the Sustainability Story podcast, host Nicole Gehrig welcomes Dr. Carmen Nuzzo, executive director of the Transition Pathway Initiative Centre (TPI Centre) at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The conversation centers around the TPI Centre's mission as the academic partner of the global investor initiative, highlighting the TPI tools, which provide independent, authoritative research and open-access data on corporate, bank, and sovereign entities' progress in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Carmen explains how investors can leverage these tools to assess sustainability efforts and make informed decisions in their investment strategies. Join us for insights into the vital role of data in driving sustainable investment practices.

Monika Freyman, CFA: Practical Advice on Investing for Net Zero

CFA Institute — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0100

Host Deborah Kidd, CFA talks with Monika Freyman, CFA, Vice President of Sustainable Investing at Addenda Capital, about the challenges asset owners and asset managers face when aiming to protect portfolios from the financial impacts of climate change. Monika shares practical advice on developing a comprehensive investment policy, measuring and managing the complexities of climate risk, and balancing climate goals with fiduciary duty. She emphasizes the importance of adhering to fiduciary duty fundamentals by ensuring that investment practices remain sound when integrating climate considerations.

Dean Hand: Measuring Success in Impact Investing

CFA Institute — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Host Nicole Gehrig welcomes Dean Hand, Chief Research Officer at the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN). They delve into the critical topic of impact investing, clarifying its definition amidst common misconceptions in the investment marketplace. Dean shares insights on the GIIN's role in promoting impact investing and its commitment to developing effective practices that address global challenges. The episode highlights the importance of investing with the intention to generate positive and measurable social and environmental outcomes. Tune in to gain insights into the role of impact investing in addressing the world's pressing challenges.

Jane Thostrup Jagd: Aligning Company Boards, Investors, and Sustainability Goals

CFA Institute — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Listen in as Dr. Jane Thostrup Jagd, Director of Net Zero Finance at We Mean Business Coalition, and Josina Kamerling, Head of EMEA Regulatory Outreach at CFA Institute, discuss the necessity of integrating sustainability departments within companies, particularly in collaboration with financial teams. The challenge lies in ensuring that knowledge about sustainability extends beyond mere compliance and reaches all levels of the organization. There is a call for greater openness from financial professionals towards sustainability agendas. The conversation also touches on the readiness of investors to comprehend and utilize new sustainability reports, highlighting a current gap in understanding that needs to be addressed for effective implementation in the future.

#Sustainability #SustainabilityStory #NetZero #EURegulations

Aniket Shah: The Energy Transition: Roadblocks, Solutions, and Investment Opportunities

CFA Institute — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Sustainability Story, host Deborah Kidd, CFA, talks with Dr. Aniket Shah, Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainability and Transition Strategy at Jefferies Group, LLC. Aniket leverages his work across academia, public policy, and financial markets to provide unique insights into the energy transition roadblocks and the three keys to overcoming them. He shares his insights on profiting from investment opportunities in climate technologies and why climate adaptation investments deserve special focus.

Lindsey Stewart, CFA: Proxy Voting and Investor Engagement Practices

CFA Institute — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Sustainability Story podcast, Nicole Gehrig, Director of Global Industry Standards at CFA Institute, is joined by Lindsey Stewart, CFA, Director of Stewardship Research and Policy at Morningstar Sustainalytics. Together, they explore key themes in the realm of stewardship. Lindsey shares his insights on how institutional shareholders are approaching proxy voting and engagements that focus on environmental and social issues. Key topics covered include say on climate votes, the influence of proxy advisors, collaborative initiatives, and the significance of voluntary stewardship codes. The discussion highlights how regulatory differences in Europe and the US impact the prioritization of sustainability themes by investors on both sides of the Atlantic.

Nels Ylitalo: Global Sustainability Regulations

CFA Institute — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 04:00:00 +0000

In this episode of "The Sustainability Story," co-host Josina Kamerling welcomes Nels Italo, Director of Product Strategy for Regulatory Solutions at FactSet. They delve into Nels' diverse background, from working in signals intelligence in the US Navy to becoming a corporate M&A attorney before focusing on financial service regulations. The conversation highlights the complexities of global financial regulations and the challenges faced by investors in understanding diverse accounting standards. Tune in to gain insights on navigating buy-side regulatory requirements in a global financial landscape.

Paula DiPerna: Pricing the Priceless: The Financial Transformation to Value the Planet, Solve the Climate Crisis, and Protect Our Most Precious Assets

CFA Institute — Tue, 07 May 2024 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Sustainability Story, host Deborah Kidd, CFA, interviews Paula DiPerna, author and Special Advisor to the CDP. In her book, Pricing the Priceless: The Financial Transformation to Value the Planet, Solve the Climate Crisis, and Protect Our Most Precious Assets, Paula offers a compelling argument for the need to assign economic values to nature's essential resources. Paula takes us on a journey through history, world travel, case studies, and financial theory to demonstrate how bringing natural assets onto corporate and sovereign balance sheets, investing in resource-linked financial instruments, and putting a price on carbon are the keys to combating global warming and preserving the Earth's resources.

Leena Linnainmaa: Corporate Governance and due diligence in the EU: a step in the right direction?

CFA Institute — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Josina Kamerling and Leena Linnainmaa, Secretary General of Directors' Institute Finland, and Chair of ecoDa's Advocacy Committee, have a conversation on the impact of the proposed new EU rules on corporate governance and due diligence on European companies and their board of directors.

Marcos Buscaglia: The Role of Investors in Promoting Democracy

CFA Institute — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0100

In this episode of The Sustainability Story, host Andres Vinelli interviews Marcos Buscaglia, an economist and author of Beyond the ESG Portfolio: How Wall Street Can Help Democracies Survive. Marcos discusses the impact of capital markets on funding democracies and autocratic regimes, emphasizing the importance for investors to consider democracy amidst global democratic decline. He highlights the interconnectedness of countries and how a democratic decline in one nation can have repercussions worldwide. Marcos' insights shed light on the role of capital markets in shaping political landscapes and the need for ethical investment practices.

Jeff Brenner: The Power of Impact Investing in Affordable Housing

CFA Institute — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 01:00:00 -0100

This episode of the Sustainability Story explores the world of impact investing in real estate, with a specific focus on affordable housing. Host Andres Vinelli is joined by Jeff Brenner, President and CEO of IMPACT Community Capital, an investment advisor dedicated to advancing opportunity in under-invested communities. They discuss the origins of IMPACT and its mission to make investments that have a positive impact on communities. They also delve into the challenges and opportunities in the affordable housing space and how impact investing can help address issues of poverty and equity. Tune in to learn more about the potential for investors in this asset class and the importance of building sustainable infrastructure for under-invested communities.

Thierry Philipponnat: The Role of the Banking Sector in the Net Zero Transition

CFA Institute — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 21:00:00 -0100

In this episode, host Josina Kamerling has a discussion with Thierry Philipponnat, Chief Economist, Finance Watch, about the banks' efforts to building a sustainable economy and the challenges of the net zero transition for banks.

James Alexander: 2023 Successes in Sustainability Regulations and Standards and What Lies Ahead

CFA Institute — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 07:00:00 -0100

2023 was a year of milestones for regulations and standards to improve sustainable investment transparency, comparability, and credibility. In this episode of The Sustainability Story, host Deborah Kidd, CFA, talks with James Alexander, chief executive at UKSIF. They discuss the new UK regulation for sustainable investment product labels, the IFRS international corporate sustainability disclosure standards, and the establishment of harmonized definitions for key responsible investment terms by the PRI, GSIA, and CFA Institute. James shares his views on the successes of the past year and the work that still needs to be done to create a sustainable finance system.

Harriet Waters: Insights on Environmental Sustainability from the University of Oxford

CFA Institute — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 01:30:00 -0100

In this episode of the Sustainability Story podcast, Andres Vinelli is joined by Harriet Waters, the head of environmental sustainability at the University of Oxford. Harriet shares the highlights of Oxford's sustainability journey and explores the lessons learned that can be applied to other organizations. She discusses her personal journey into environmental issues and how she became involved in the field. Tune in to learn about Oxford's sustainability strategy and gain valuable insights for your own sustainability initiatives.

Brian Tomlinson: Understanding the Impact of EU Reporting Requirements on Non-EU Investors

CFA Institute — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0100

In this episode of The Sustainability Story, host Sandy Peters is joined by Brian Tomlinson, a managing director in Ernst & Young's financial accounting and advisory services practice. They discuss the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and its impact on non-EU-based multinationals. While the extraterritorial nature of the EU's reporting requirements may be known among policy experts, it is less understood by US companies and investors. The episode delves into the potential implications and importance of this directive for sustainability reporting and investment decision making.

Sean Kidney: Climate Bonds, Public Policy, and the Historic Low Carbon Transition

CFA Institute — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0100

As the world economy transitions from high carbon to low carbon, the largest global investment in history is underway. In this episode of The Sustainability Story, host Deborah Kidd, CFA, talks climate bonds, transition, and policy with Sean Kidney, CEO of Climate Bonds Initiative, an international NGO working to mobilize global capital for climate action. Learn how bond investors can both drive change and profit from a world that is rapidly evolving, and why Sean says the policy action he's seeing fills him with hope at what he calls our 11th hour.

Rob Bauer: Building a Bridge for the Future and the Importance of Shareholder Engagement on ESG Issues

CFA Institute — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Josina Kamerling, Head of Regulatory Outreach EMEA at CFA Institute, and Rob Bauer, Professor of Finance at School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University, and co-author of the paper "Private Shareholder Engagements on Material ESG Issues," discuss the main findings of his research and how private engagements can address financially material ESG issues while contributing to firm performance.

Read the full report here: https://cfainst.is/3F9YbdT

Spencer Glendon: The Role of Climate in Shaping the Future of Business

CFA Institute — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Sustainability Story, host Andres Vinelli interviews Dr. Spencer Glendon, founder of Probable Futures—a nonprofit organization focused on climate science accessibility from the CFA Institute Climate Risk and Returns conference. Dr. Glendon, an expert on climate change with a background in finance and economics, shares his journey and the importance of climate literacy. He explains the importance of climate literacy and how it intersects with environmental issues. Tune in to gain insights into the work being done to influence the conversation on climate change. Visit https://probablefutures.org to access interactive maps, science, historical context, and stories to help visualize a range of possible climate futures.

Julian Kölbel: Cutting through the Confusion on ESG Ratings and What Works in Impact Investing

CFA Institute — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Sustainability Story, we tackle two areas of mass confusion in the world of sustainable investing: what should be done about the divergence in ESG ratings, and what works and doesn't work in impact investing. Deborah Kidd, CFA, talks with Dr. Julian Kölbel, Assistant Professor in Sustainable Finance at the Center for Financial Services Innovation at the University of St. Gallen and Research Associate at MIT Sloan, where he co-founded the Aggregate Confusion Project. Julian is also host of the podcast Innovations in Sustainable Finance.

https://fsi.unisg.ch/en/insights/innovations-in-sustainable-finance/

With an estimated one-third of the world's assets under management being managed sustainably, ESG ratings have come under increasing scrutiny by regulators. We discuss issues around the reliability of ESG ratings, whether they should be regulated, and how investors can make sense of them. Our conversation then turns to impact investing, where we learn about evidence-based strategies and the key component necessary for actually making an impact.

Brian Minns, CFA: Guiding the Path to Net Zero Emissions

CFA Institute — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Are you ready to crack the code on sustainable investing? We promise a plethora of insights in our thought-provoking conversation with Brian Minns, CFA, the Managing Director of Responsible Investing at University Pension Plan Ontario. Fusing his engineering acumen with financial expertise, Brian is at the forefront of driving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) values in investments. Not only will you hear about his transformative journey from engineer to finance guru, but he also reveals how he co-founded the Canadian Responsible Investment Working Group and illuminates the ongoing growth in understanding sustainable finance among professionals. Fasten your seat belts as we navigate through the second half of our discussion, where Brian takes the wheel, guiding us through the University Pension Plan's approach to integrating ESG factors into their investment process. He tackles the tough questions around proxy voting, greenwashing and how to assess partners effectively. In an especially riveting segment, we confront the looming hurdles in our race towards net zero emissions — a challenge that demands rapid emissions reductions, regulatory intervention, and carbon pricing. Brian's compelling call-to-action encourages us all to start addressing environmental issues and climate change — it's an episode that's sure to spark your curiosity and leave you inspired!

Patrik Karlsson: Unraveling the EU's Sustainability Regulations

CFA Institute — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 09:06:00 +0000

Discover the ins and outs of sustainability regulations in the EU with Patrik Karlsson, a senior policy officer at the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), and Josina Kamerling, head of regulatory outreach for CFA Institute for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region at CFA Institute. Gain valuable insights into the Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and its implementation, as well as the ongoing consultation on some changes to the requirements. Patrick shares his thoughts on greenwashing, the role of ESMA and other European Supervisory Authorities in applying SFDR, and the importance of acknowledging the responsibility of the finance sector to provide disclosure.

Dive deeper into the complex world of financial services rulemaking in the EU as we explore the framework law, regulatory and implementing technical standards, guidance and Q&A's, and supervisory convergence in relation to SFDR. Learn about the importance of case studies as a tool for illustrating how the rules are meant to be applied and the consultation paper on tweaks recently issued by ESMA. Additional topics include the significance of close collaboration between financial market participants and regulators, the EU's dynamic process for regulation making, the UK's proposed measures to address greenwashing, the FCA's labeling regime, and the call for evidence on the fund naming process to help prevent greenwashing. Don't miss this enlightening conversation with Patrik Karlsson on the complexities of sustainability disclosures and the crucial role of regulation in preventing greenwashing.

Mindy Lubber: Building a Sustainable Future through Capital Market Integration

CFA Institute — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 07:00:00 +0000

How can capital markets drive meaningful change in the fight against climate risk? Join Paul Andrews, head of Research, Advocacy, and Standards at CFA Institute for an insightful discussion with our esteemed guest, Mindy Lubber, President and CEO of Ceres, as they unpack the importance of integrating sustainability into capital markets and the economic implications of climate change. Mindy emphasizes the crucial connection between climate risk and financial risk, and the role of investors in mitigating such risks by engaging with companies to adopt emissions reduction goals. Together, they highlight the four pillars of success — investors, the investment community, corporates, and governments — and the significance of unifying these forces for a sustainable future. (0:00:42) - Climate Risk Is Financial Risk (11 Minutes) We discuss the importance of understanding that climate risk is financial risk and why a systems approach is needed to address it. We explore how companies must recognize the economic implications of climate change and why investors have to mitigate risk by engaging with companies to put in emissions reduction goals. We also highlight the four pillars of success: investors, the investment community, corporates, and governments and authorities, and the importance of bringing these together in a more forceful way. (0:10:48) - Systems Change for Financial Rules (2 Minutes) We tackle the challenges of creating systems change necessary to address climate risk and its financial implications. We emphasize the need for equitable and consistent regulations across the entire economy, and how the Ceres Accelerator for Capital Market Systems is striving to create lasting, positive change. We also examine the role of financial players, analysts and others in constructing a more sustainable future.

New Episodes Coming In June 2023

CFA Institute — Mon, 22 May 2023 18:21:00 +0000

Join our 3 CFA Institute hosts, Andres Vinelli, chief economist, Josina Kamerling, Head of Regulatory Outreach, and Deborah Kidd, Director of Global Industry Standards for new episodes starting in June 2023.

Materiality

CFA Institute — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 19:54:35 +0000

We talk with Cindy Rose, Head of Responsible Capitalism, Liontrust Asset Management. We discuss some of the definitional and terminology issues challenging the sustainability and ESG world. We also talk about the materiality of sustainability data and how asset managers can develop a materiality framework, to take a systematic approach to focusing on the sustainability metrics that matter.

Corporate Governance and Sustainability in Brazil

CFA Institute — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 04:00:46 +0000

We talk with Mauro Rodrigues da Cunha, Independent Director. Mauro has decades of experience in the corporate governance world, with a long history of fighting for better shareowner rights. We talk about the history of corporate governance and sustainability in Brazil, the upcoming Brazilian Presidential elections and how the climate crisis and the Amazon rainforest is viewed in Brazil.

The Ocean

CFA Institute — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:00:50 +0000

We talk to Suzanne Johnson, Senior Advisor at United Nations Global Compact and Head of Sustainability Program for LLoyd's Register Foundation. We talk about what happened at the recent UN Oceans conference and what investors should know about the ocean and how our livelihoods, markets and lives are tied to it.

Transition Engineering – A Practical Look at What Will Work, and What Won't in a Low Carbon Transition

CFA Institute — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 04:00:13 +0000

We talk with Susan Krumdieck, Professor and Chair in Energy Transition at Heriot-Watt University, about transition engineering. We discuss how transition engineering will change how we approach sustainability issues and impact our economy. We talk about why hydrogen will not lead the clean energy transition and how we get to a sustainable future through practical solutions.

ESG and Private Markets, Sustainability in Africa

CFA Institute — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We talk with Dean Alborough, Head of ESG at Old Mutual Alternative Investments. We discuss how private markets integrate sustainability risks and opportunities. We also talk about the current state of sustainable investing and sustainable policy in Africa.

Degrowth – The Myth of Ever Expanding Growth Has Met Its Limits. Is Degrowth the Answer?

CFA Institute — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We talk with Timothee Parrique, doctor in economics and researcher at Lund University. We discuss degrowth, what it is, what it isn't and how our obsession with GDP and growth are flawed measures of progress. We talk about why "green growth" is not the answer to the climate and biodiversity challenges we face and what a world that has embraced degrowth would look like. We end with a great list of resources for those looking to explore the topic further. You can find more resources at; https://timotheeparrique.com/

ESG Ratings – What they were meant to do, how they are misused

CFA Institute — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 04:00:40 +0000

We talk to Matt Moscardi, CEO of FreeFloat Media. We discuss the creation of ESG ratings and how they have been used correctly and incorrectly through the years. We talk about the future of ESG, Sabermetrics for corporate boards, and Italian Rugby players with podcasts.

Storytelling: Our Future Depends on the Stories We Tell

CFA Institute — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We talk with Terence Barry, Founder and Owner of Brand and Story. We discuss how stories help us understand and explain our world as well as persuade others. We talk about climate change and other environmental challenges we face, and how storytelling can help us spur the action we need.

Investor Engagement Around ESG Issues

CFA Institute — Wed, 25 May 2022 04:00:36 +0000

We talk with John Hoeppner, Head of US Stewardship and Sustainable Investments at LGIM America. We discuss investor stewardship and the state of engagement with public companies around ESG issues. We talk about the impact of these engagements, what we see as burgeoning issues in the ESG world and the differences in investor engagement around the world.

The SEC's Climate-related Disclosure Requirements – We ask the Experts

CFA Institute — Wed, 11 May 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We talk with Sandy Peters, CPA, CFA, Senior Head, Global Advocacy, CFA Institute and Wes Bricker, Vice-Chair – US Trust Solutions Co-Leader at PwC. We discuss the SEC's proposed rules about climate-related disclosure and how they will impact investors and companies. We talk about the financial disclosures required, greenhouse gas emissions disclosures and the materiality of climate related information.

A Talk with ESG Renaissance Man, Ben Yeoh; Portfolio Manager, Educator, Podcaster, Playwright

CFA Institute — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We talk with Ben Yeoh, Senior Portfolio Manager, RBC Global Asset Management. Our wide ranging conversation includes discussions of ESG integration, ESG education, demographics, Economist Thomas Malthus, and the future of capitalism. We also talk about current and impending regulation and policy around ESG disclosure as well as the intersection of art and ESG. Listen to his personal podcast, Ben Yeoh Chats https://www.thendobetter.com/podcast Follow him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-yeoh-445133/ Follow him on Twitter https://twitter.com/benyeohben

Addressing Systematic Risk through Improved Internal Governance and Financial Structures

CFA Institute — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We talk with Delilah Rothenberg, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Predistribution Initiative. We discuss how the Predistribution Initiative is working with investors to create investment structures and asset allocation strategies that better address systematic risks. We talk about how a focus on how internal standard setting, disclosure, improved governance and financial practices can help build more regenerative investment structures and align practices of investment professionals with their stewardship counterparts. LINK: Visit The Predistribution Initiative website at: https://predistributioninitiative.org/

Climate Change, Natural Capital and Sustainability in Asia

CFA Institute — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We talk with Mervyn Tang, Head of Sustainability Strategy, APAC at Schroders. We discuss what investors should be looking for when analyzing a company's climate change strategy and decarbonization efforts. We talk about the growing investor interest in the area of natural capital and how Asia sits in the center of many efforts to address investments in biodiversity. LINK: Visit Schroders Talking Point for market news and expert views http://www.schroders.com/talkingpoint

The Level of Climate Disclosures is Bad… How Bad?

CFA Institute — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0100

We talk with Barbara Davidson, Head of Accounting, Audit and Disclosure at Carbon Tracker Initiative. We discuss Carbon Tracker's recent report; Flying Blind: The Glaring Absence of Climate Risks in Financial Reporting, which detailed the troublingly low level of consideration of climate risk impacts in financial climate related reporting for some of the most carbon intensive global companies. We talk about the CA100+ Net Zero Company benchmark and its new Climate Accounting and Audit Assessment that aims to bring better transparency to 'climate accounting' issues. Finally, we talk about the efforts of regulators and policymakers around the world and what to expect from coming climate-related disclosure initiatives. More on Carbon Tracker at www.carbontracker.org LINKS: https://carbontracker.org/reports/flying-blind-the-glaring-absence-of-climate-risks-in-financial-reporting/

How Investors Can Incorporate Racial Justice Data into the Investment Process

CFA Institute — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0100

We talk with Olivia Knight, Racial Justice Initiative Manager, As You Sow. We discuss how investors can better track whether companies are walking the walk as well as talking the talk on racial justice and environmental justice issues. We talk about the increase interest in social justice data, and what companies and industries are doing a better job of providing investors with this information. More on As You Sow: https://www.asyousow.org/

How Accounting Can Save the World

CFA Institute — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0100

We talk with Andrew Watson, Founder and Director, Rethinking Capital. We discuss how accounting, and in particular normative accounting can be used to help address climate change and other sustainability issues. We talk about how the assumptions we make with our accounting systems set the incentives, and how accounting can be used to help incentivize sustainable finance.

Casting a Critical Eye at Sustainability Inc. and ESG Investing

CFA Institute — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0100

We talk with Ken Pucker, Advisory Director at Berkshire Partners and a Senior Lecturer at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. We discuss Ken's time at Timberland, where he was at the forefront of the company's social responsibility movement. We talk about the challenges facing the sustainable finance, ESG investing and impact accounting.

A Quantitative Approach to Sustainable Investing – Data, Emerging Markets and Impact

CFA Institute — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 16:00:00 -0100

We talk with Asha Mehta, CFA, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Global Delta Capital. We discuss how investors can approach sustainable investing from a quantitative point of view. We talk about the state of ESG data, the coming evolution of ESG disclosures, emerging markets, SDGs and impact investing.

Sustainable Coffee, Wine and Agriculture.

CFA Institute — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0100

We talk with Sandra Taylor, Founder and President, Sustainable Business International. We discuss her time leading the Sustainability efforts at Starbucks as well as her current work with wineries to help winemaking become more sustainable and equitable. We talk about organic, biodynamic and sustainable agricultural practices and what role these practices have in a more sustainable agricultural system.

Accounting for Externalities - The Impact-Weighted Accounts Initiative

CFA Institute — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0100

We talk with Rob Zochowski, Program Director of the Impact-Weighted Accounts Initiative at Harvard Business School . We discuss how to better measure the positive and negative impacts or externalities that businesses have on society and our environment. These efforts are aimed at providing a more complete understanding of these impacts so that investors can better value companies and managers can better manage impacts in their decision-making.

System-Level Investing

CFA Institute — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0100

We talk with William Burckart, President and COO at The Investment Integration Project (TIIP) and co-author of the book "21st Century Investing". We discuss TIIP's focus on system-level investing, that aims to help investors understand that healthy portfolio returns are dependent on healthy systems on which we all depend. We talk about how the management of systemic risks in a portfolio can contribute to solving systemic problems.

21st Century Investing

Plastics

CFA Institute — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0100

We talk with Gabriel Thoumi, CFA, FRM, Head of Plastics Pogramme and Director of Financial Markets at Planet Tracker. We discuss the major players in the plastics world, the move to a more sustainable and circular plastics economy. We also talk about what investors and consumers can do to help move to a more sustainable use of plastics.

COP26 and What Needs to Happen After to Address Climate Change

CFA Institute — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 21:00:00 -0100

We talk with Betty Jiang, CFA, Head of US ESG Research at Credit Suisse. We discuss the ongoing COP26 meeting and what investors should look for post-COP26 concerning climate policy, climate financing, carbon markets. We also examine the industries and sectors that face the most climate related risks and opportunities in the coming years.

COP26 and Skating to Where the Climate Change Puck Will Be

CFA Institute — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0100

We talk with Mark Van Clieaf, Managing Director of Future Zero. We discuss what to expect and what not to expect from COP26/Glasgow. With apologies to Wayne Gretzky, we talk about "where the puck will be" concerning climate and Net Zero Business Models in the coming years.

This includes coming "stress tests" for companies, the $ 43 trillion of carbon risks in their business models, the current mispricing of net zero business model designs and carbon risk, the potential legal jeopardy for companies and corporate directors around climate change, and what a disorderly climate transition looks like (including in the boardroom). The conversation is a long one but filled with great investor and inside the boardroom insights rarely shared.

Sustainable finance efforts at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange

CFA Institute — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

We talk with Grace Hui, Managing Director Head of Green and Sustainable Finance, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited. We discuss with Grace how the Hong Kong Stock Exchange balances the demand from investors for more information on ESG data and sustainable finance products with the ability of companies to supply this information. We talk about development of sustainable finance in Asia and the work the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is doing in supporting companies' transition to a sustainable future.

The ESG Pressures Facing Water

CFA Institute — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

We talk with Matt Howard, Vice-President, Water and Stewardship at the Water Council. We talk about the water challenges we currently face and will increasingly face in coming decades as well as tools the Water Council is developing to help companies become better stewards of water and more responsive to ESG pressures.

Link to the Water Council

ESG from a Corporate Point of View

CFA Institute — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

CFA Institute talks with Denise Weger, Senior Manager, ESG, Strategic Initiatives at Novartis. Denise discusses how Novartis handles ESG strategy and planning, the materiality of ESG data and the evolution of ESG reporting. We also discuss how Novartis engages with investors and other stakeholders about important material ESG issues.

Please find the following link to Novartis materiality page:

www.novartis.com/materiality

The FAZ toolkit is at the following link:

https://www.faz-institut.de/plattformen/verantwortung1/materiality/

COP 26, The Task-Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures, and the history of ESG Data

CFA Institute — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

We Talk with Curtis Ravenel, Senior Advisor to former bank of England governor Mark Carney, COP26 Finance Advisor and UN Special Envoy for Climate Finance. Mr. Ravenel discusses how the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosure or TCFD has conducted its work and structured its recommendation since it was formed by the G20's Financial Stability Board in 2015.

Introduction to Carbon-Markets

CFA Institute — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

We talk with Michael Azlen, Founder and CEO, Carbon Cap Management LLP who frames the discussion on carbon markets in terms of where we've been, where we are and where we are going. Mr. Azlen reviews the importance of carbon pricing and how government regulated carbon markets provide a market-based solution to climate change which offers the best chance of addressing the problem at the scale and speed that the climate crisis requires.

The State of Diversity at Public Companies and Boards

CFA Institute — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

The State of Diversity at Public Companies and Boards We talk with Deborah Gilshan, Advisor, Investment Stewardship & ESG, founder of the 100% Club and author of the report The Ethics of Diversity. She notes that at the current pace, it will take 257 years to achieve global economic gender parity, and stresses the need for urgency. In this podcast she discusses how diversity at companies, on boards and in management can act as a catalyst to achieve needed change at a more rapid pace. Discussed in the podcast is the report Closing the Racial Inequality Gaps: The Economic Cost of Black Inequality in the US by Dana M. Peterson and Catherine L. Mann.

How Does Modern Portfolio Theory Take Into Account Sustainability?

CFA Institute — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Matt Orsagh, Senior Director, Capital Markets Policy at CFA Institute talks with Jon Lukomnik, co-author of the book "Moving Beyond Modern Portfolio Theory: Investing That Matters", to explore how one of the major pillars of modern investing and finance, "Modern Portfolio Theory" may need to evolve to better take into account the rise of ESG integration and sustainable investing.

Jon Lukomnik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-lukomnik-6164415/

Moving Beyond Modern Portfolio Theory 1st Edition: https://www.amazon.com/Moving-Beyond-Modern-Portfolio-Theory/dp/0367760827