Since 2002
Postings and Commentaries
by Ron Robins
Podcast: September 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks
September 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks. Includes top analyst picks on AI infrastructure stocks, alternative energy, and wind stocks.…
Are ‘green bonds’ just another way for banks to greenwash?
“Major banks were underwriting bonds by energy giants that failed to meet climate goals.” [COMMENTARY] This is a good article…
The corporate green bond renaissance
“Green bonds, social bonds, sustainability bonds and sustainability-linked bonds have grown a combined 43% CAGR between 2014 and 2023 to…
The Backlash Didn’t Kill Green Investing. In Fact, It’s Booming
“Far from being dead, responsible investing is not even dented, despite the noise. Morgan Stanley data shows that, in 2023, sustainable funds…
Stand by ESG? The State of 2024 U.S. Sustainability Reports
“These two mega trends – increasing requirements from regulators for more ESG disclosure and increasing pressure to abandon ESG altogether…
What Are ESG Bonds?
“ESG bonds are fixed-income securities issued to raise capital for projects that align with the principles of environmental, social, and…
The 10th edition of the global Prize Ethics & Trust in Finance is on
“The mission of the Prize is to promote greater awareness among young people (professionals as well as academics) throughout the…
Green bonds are bunkum (See my commentary on this article)
“To what extent is the greenness merely a gimmick to adorn standard corporate borrowing? How much of it is legit?…
EU investors double down on transition-focused funds amid ESG scrutiny
“Investment flows into funds that focus on transitioning companies from ‘brown’ to ‘green’ technologies have nearly doubled those into purely…
85% of banks rely on ESG ratings for financial strategy, reveals CDP report
“A recent report from CDP has illuminated the growing centrality of ESG ratings in the strategic frameworks of financial institutions…
Defense stocks in an ESG portfolio? A profound — and controversial — shift seems to be underway
“Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in a profound shift in the way defense stocks are viewed by mission-driven fund…
Goldman Analysis Sheds Light on Rise of Commodities in ESG
“The days of equating ESG with the blacklisting of commodities are over, it seems.” [COMMENTARY] ESG fund managers and investors…
Jennifer N. Coombs: 10 things ESG scores can (and can’t) do for investors
“ESG data can help investors identify potentially problematic companies, long before traditional valuation methods would pick up on the issue.”…
ESG: Are Exclusions on Their Way Out?
“Not so fast. Omitting stocks is still popular with a wide range of investors, including those in Europe and fossil-fuel-free…
How Financial Markets Can Drive Climate Action
“By engaging with high-emitting industries, rather than simply divesting from them, investors could help achieve meaningful climate progress while still…
ESG screening is a complex business. Here’s how long-time ESG manager Parnassus is adapting.
“Parnassus Investments, one of America’s oldest and most respected ESG boutiques, is adding once off-limits market segments such as oil…
The 2024 Proxy Season: Which ESG Proposals Made the Podium?
“Support for environmental and social resolutions was lower again in 2024, while support for governance proposals rebounded.” [COMMENTARY] Governance proposals…
Moving Beyond ESG
“The barrage of criticism has caused ESG to lose its luster among many executives. Yet the need for a transparent…
Microsoft Unveils New Multi-Framework ESG Reporting Solution
“Microsoft announced Project ESG Reporting, a new tool aimed at enabling companies to create, review and approve ESG reports across…
Despite Anti-ESG Attacks, New Study Shows Investors See Climate as Critical to Business Performance
“Critically, three out of four investors (77%)—including 61% of Republicans—explicitly believe that ‘environmentally responsible companies are more likely to succeed…
Commentary: Why the backlash? Sustainable investing is simply better investing
“In a few years’ time ESG will be a redundant acronym. Assessing risk to a business, and therefore an investment,…
