“The idea that solar and wind are inherently risky and unreliable is a common talking point for critics of renewable energy, often repeated by groups with ties to the fossil fuel industry. It’s false. When renewable energy is paired with large batteries or other forms of grid management, it’s proven to be reliable.” [COMMENTARY] The key to addressing…

“RI adoption among advisors declined to 64% in 2025, down from 73% in 2023. Committed RI users remain steady, allocating 13% of AUM to RI on average, consistent with prior years. Three quarters of advisors anticipate RI growth, though expectations have tempered compared to 2023.” [COMMENTARY] It might be that the anti-ESG publicity is having a…

“ESG assurance is now vital for corporate credibility—and by 2028, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will make reasonable assurance mandatory (in the EU and some other countries). [COMMENTARY] I’ve advocated for about fifty years that such requirements be part of the regular corporate financial auditing process. Finally, it’s beginning to happen. However, regulatory requirements…

“Investors are sinking more and more money into the stock market. Indexes are reaching record highs. But a growing number of American companies are refusing to participate in public markets at all.” [COMMENTARY] In terms of companies participating in public markets and the number of shares available for trading, they are all declining from years…

“Nature and industry transitions are unlocking investable opportunities, from regenerative agriculture to fossil-free steel; investable pipelines are growing across sectors.” [COMMENTARY] Some useful ideas are presented for investors in this article. Sustainable finance in 2025: These are the key sectors redefining global markets, by Derek Baraldi and Priyanka Ramchurn, September 24, 2025, World Economic Forum, Switzerland.  

“A set of ETFs shows that the alternative energy shares are leading Big Oil by a wide margin this year. Based on the average for the five biggest alt-energy ETFs, this benchmark is up nearly 25% year to date through Sep. 10.” [COMMENTARY] I guess this might be upsetting to many on the right of…

“Nvidia, which this summer became the first public company to hit $4 trillion in market value, tops TIME and Statista’s 2025 statistical ranking of the World’s Best Companies. The ranking measures employee satisfaction, revenue growth, and sustainability transparency. Nvidia rose through the ranks on a wave of growing AI demand and a well-performing gaming division.” [COMMENTARY] No surprises here, all…

“A Dutch pension manager’s decision to pull its investments from BlackRock highlights the growing gap between the U.S. and Europe.” [COMMENTARY] For BlackRock, will the funds gained in the US ‘red states’ by bad-mouthing climate change offset the asset losses from elsewhere? Previously, a major backer of ESG-based investing, BlackRock has made a clear decision…

“The triple bottom line is a framework that helps companies like Apple and Amazon reach sustainability goals whilst continuing to make profit.” [COMMENTARY] The triple bottom line is a focus on people, profit and planet. It’s an expansive view of the bottom line that suggests a company must focus on all three variables to succeed…

“Writing in the Harvard Business Review over two years ago, we said ESG should be returned to its “original and narrow intention — as a means for helping companies identify and communicate to investors the material long-term risks they face from ESG-related issues.” Instead, this recent letter shows that ESG has continued to get pulled into political messaging efforts between both…

“The practices discussed in the report can provide guidance on different approaches, including areas in which some level of harmonisation already exists, and others where more convergence may be desirable.” [COMMENTARY] This study provides insight into the current state of shareholder meetings globally. It is worthwhile reading for concerned investors. How Are Shareholder Meetings Changing…

“In our view, the financing of weapons and arms is at odds with any definition of sustainable finance. The current policy debate in Europe risks normalising “warwashing”, the rebranding of weapons finance as socially responsible investing.” [COMMENTARY] What is your view on defence investments being labelled as sustainable investments? Why Europe must not allow defence…

“Climate litigation is a growing material risk for companies and financial institutions, as an increasing number of cases are brought which challenge their role in the climate crisis or lack of action in addressing it.” [COMMENTARY] Climate litigation against many companies will likely continue to grow. How significant a force it will become in addressing…

“While retail investors got spooked by the political noise, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and family offices quietly continued integrating ESG factors. They just stopped talking about it at cocktail parties.” [COMMENTARY] The underpinnings of ESG are there for all time. It’s just that the term ESG might change or not be mentioned in certain…

“Alejandro Litovsky, the founder and CEO of Earth Security, believes that respecting nature can help companies to think and invest more effectively.” [COMMENTARY] This is a fascinating article on how natural capital could become an investing opportunity. Sustainable investing: how natural capital could outperform traditional assets, by Ed Stocker, August 18, 2025, Monocle, UK and…

“Interestingly, these anti-DEI resolutions conveyed the exact opposite message, demonstrating that investors and companies alike believe that diversity has a positive impact on employees and long-term shareholder value.” [COMMENTARY] For companies that employ or serve the mass consumer/public, not having a management or workforce that’s diverse will likely be a detriment to the company’s overall…

“Scandal at Norway’s $1.9tn oil fund highlights risks for asset managers.” [COMMENTARY] In some ways, this divestment from Israel debate brings to mind the divestment from sin stocks that occurred decades ago. Though ethical investors shunned sin stocks, they frequently gave above-average returns. And some still do today, particularly the dividend payors. As per my…

“Europe’s push to rebuild its defence sector is prompting some values-based investors to rethink military exclusions.” [COMMENTARY] This is my sixth decade engaged with the investment industry. Throughout that entire time, the issue of whether investing in defence stocks is ethical always boils down to personal values. This article by my old friend Eugene Ellmen…

“Companies in the U.S. need to understand that supporting or exacerbating inequalities or raising social risks have real implications across the system. In some ways, companies must become more flexible and nimble to deal with the challenges the world is facing right now.” [COMMENTARY] This is an insightful interview on how a top ESG-oriented fund…

“As AI becomes embedded in wealth management, ethical concerns around bias, transparency, and data privacy are surfacing that advisors and clients cannot afford to ignore.” [COMMENTARY] Most of us using AI are keenly aware of the potential ethical issues of its use in wealth management. Companies engaged in wealth management need to develop clear ethical…