“Sustainable bonds have grown rapidly over the past decade, but inconsistent practices and transparency gaps risk undermining their credibility. Here’s what new OECD data reveals about the market – and what policymakers can do to protect investor interests.” [COMMENTARY] This article should be read by anyone who invests in green bonds. It’s a good overview…

“The intent of the rule is to protect clients, and the principles behind it are sensible. Communications must not be misleading. Claims must be substantiated. Information must be fair and balanced. Investor protection matters.” [COMMENTARY] Applying to the US, a new ‘marketing rule’ by the US SEC is making financial advisors there extremely careful in…

“Technology stocks are an increasingly uneasy fit in sustainable fund portfolios, due to the associated environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks – from greenhouse gas emissions to data privacy concerns and use in weaponry. Yet many sustainable funds remain invested in the sector.” [COMMENTARY] Though the article focuses on UK funds, the same situation exists…

“The Vatican on March 20, 2026, launched an international campaign encouraging divestment from the mining sector, urging faith-based investors to pull out unless companies uphold workers’ rights and environmental protection.” [COMMENTARY] What nearly ALL news reports of the new Vatican directive to disinvest from mining leave out is “unless companies uphold workers’ rights and environmental…

“Unlike during previous oil shocks, renewable power is now competitive with fossil fuels in many places. More than 90% of new renewable power projects worldwide in 2024 were cheaper than fossil-fuel alternatives, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.” [COMMENTARY] Many have criticized Europe’s obsession with renewable energy as misplaced. Yet, oil price shocks like the…

“Early 2026 data show traditional governance and environmental proposals are resurging, while anti‑ESG proposals decline.” [COMMENTARY] This 2026 proxy season preview could indicate that the anti-ESG ‘movement’ could be finally declining. Proxies in Uncharted Waters: 2026 U.S. Proxy Season Preview, by Subodh Mishra, ISS STOXX, March 17, 2026, Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, USA.…

“They found that companies with strong ESG credentials gain additional credibility internationally… This helps them attract investors, secure partnerships, and receive government support in foreign markets.” [COMMENTARY] For many years, it has been observed that companies with strong ESG credentials attract and retain relatively higher-qualified workers, thereby incurring comparatively lower HR costs, superior R & D, and a…

“Today, more and more capital is being directed toward sustainable companies with so-called ESG assets. The share of purchases of such securities is growing at an accelerated pace, and interest from banks and large funds is becoming systemic.” [COMMENTARY] The situation in the USA, where sustainable investing is experiencing headwinds, is an outlier. Throughout much…

“The same company may receive widely different scores from different providers.1 This does not mean ESG data are useless — it means they must be interpreted thoughtfully. ESG scores can be helpful information inputs, not buy-or-sell signals. [COMMENTARY] Investors should know the methodology ratings providers use to arrive at a company’s ESG score. Only then…

“There was a slight increase in shareholder support for management resolutions: Average support rose to 95.6% in 2025, from 95.0% in 2024 and 95.1% in 2023… Average support for shareholder resolutions on governance remained steady at around 30%… Meanwhile, average support for environmental and social, or E&S, shareholder resolutions fell from 18.8% in the 2023…

“The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced it is reviewing the 2023 Names Rule amendments to reduce reporting and compliance burdens. It has also issued additional FAQs, providing new guidance on environmental, social and governance (ESG)‑themed names, integration strategies, derivatives and temporary departures from 80 percent policies.” [COMMENTARY] This is yet another policy initiative…

“The new Asia Pacific 50 Most Sustainable Corporations ranking is a who’s-who of climate-aligned heavyweights in the region.” [COMMENTARY] Another first for Corporate Knights! Ethical and sustainable investors are increasingly looking to Asia for investments. This study and ranking will be helpful to them. Asia Pacific’s green champions step into the spotlight, introduction by Gordon…

“SEC’s new rule creates regulatory uncertainty, leading to investor lawsuits… Companies cautious with new power, blocking few shareholder resolutions… Lawsuits prompt companies like Pepsi, AT&T to allow shareholder votes.” [COMMENTARY] Companies represent investor interests. Hence, investors should have the freedom to question companies, particularly if they represent significant proportions of the voting shares. Trump’s SEC…

“ESG investing has not disappeared, but it has changed. Longitudinal survey data from U.S. retail investors and large institutional asset managers show that early enthusiasm—especially among younger investors—has converged around a more pragmatic, risk-first approach.” [OMMENTARY] The belief in the constructs underlying ESG has been ‘recalibrated’ in most companies and among investors. They have not given…

“In sum, many institutional investors are still feeling their way as they develop their strategy for dealing with whether and how to incorporate ESG and sustainability issues into their investing decisions.” [COMMENTARY] A distinguished law firm has published an interesting report that will interest ethical and sustainable investors. Perspectives In ESG And Sustainable Investment –…

“Overall ESG performance—particularly its environmental and social dimensions—is positively associated with firm profitability, measured by return on assets (ROA).” [COMMENTARY] Here is another study showing that good corporate ESG performance equates with strong corporate financial performance! Hence, why not consider a company’s ESG performance in assessing whether it is a good investment or not? When…

“ESG investing has not disappeared, but it has changed. Longitudinal survey data from U.S. retail investors and large institutional asset managers show that early enthusiasm—especially among younger investors—has converged around a more pragmatic, risk-first approach.” [COMMENTARY] The findings of this research concur with what I’ve suspected in recent years. The talk of investors abandoning an…

“The 2026 Carbon Clean 200 list shows average sustainable revenues rising and pure-play firms taking a greater share of the index.” [COMMENTARY] This is possibly my favourite company ranking. It ranks global public companies by their total sustainable revenues and by sustainable revenues relative to their total revenues. Clean200 companies hit $2.8 trillion in sustainable…

“The line between sustainability and security is being redrawn behind closed doors, exposing a growing mismatch between ESG labels and real-world portfolios.” [COMMENTARY] How do you feel about investing in the defence sector? Can defence companies be categorized as sustainable or labelled ESG? Do potential returns justify such investments? This article offers a good discussion…

“This article is the second in a series (read the first interview here) highlighting the perspectives of experts who are part of this work and participated in our related 2025 Climate Week NYC panel, Valuing the Priceless: Investing in Nature’s Intangible Benefits.” [COMMENTARY] These articles highlight a fascinating discussion that in the future could become…