ESG offers a holistic approach to sustainability— and has been a hot topic in the last years and months. We would like to share two webinars on ESG: How do companies respond to ESG? and Lowering Risk with ESG Indexing.

We would like to look back with you on ESG in 2020 and share two webinars (and one bonus presentation Integration of ESG data for risk management) that we found insightful.

ESG means using Environmental, Social and Governance factors to evaluate companies and countries on how far advanced they are with sustainability. Once enough data has been acquired on these three metrics, they can be integrated into the investment process when deciding what equities or bonds to buy. (Source: www.robeco.com)

How do companies respond to ESG?

ESG and sustainability was one of the business buzzwords in 2019 and during this year became mainstream. ESG related investments are now estimated at over US$ 30 trillion and so far, the outbreak of the COVID-19 has not stopped the growth of ESG investing, which has seen a steady increase in inflows and better-than-average returns since the start of the pandemic. Besides investors this topic is also high on the agenda of regulators, boards, media, politicians and the general public.

Check out webmeeting: https://youtu.be/ajAYLmYzTYI

To address this (emerging) risk most large companies (financial and non-financial services) started multi-disciplinary projects.

  • Practical examples on how companies are addressing this topic
  • What is the role and impact of Risk Management in these projects

Lowering Risk with ESG Indexing: Do ESG screens raise or lower risk?

Investors are increasingly focused on the connection between environmental, social and governance factors and risk. ESG-related issues can materially impact a company’s financial results. Investors of all kinds therefore integrate ESG into their decision-making calculus on the view that examining corporate behavior on matters such as energy efficiency, health and safety standards, and business ethics will improve their investment selection and, ultimately, their risk/return profile.

Watch the on-demand of the Lowering Risk with ESG Indexing webinar where Dan Lefkovitz, Morningstar Indexes Strategists focuses on ESG as a driver of risk. Morningstar also examines the behavior of its ESG-screened indexes and asks the question: Do ESG screens raise or lower risk?

Check out webinar: https://bit.ly/3gOZdPH

Watch the on-demand of the Lowering Risk with ESG Indexing webinar where Dan Lefkovitz, Morningstar Indexes Strategists focuses on ESG as a driver of risk. Morningstar also examines the behavior of its ESG-screened indexes and asks the question: Do ESG screens raise or lower risk?

Bonus: Integration of ESG data for risk management

The Swiss Risk Association started the year with a dinner in Februar featuring Mirjam Staub-Bisang (CEO Blackrock Switzerland). She talked about Climate Risk, ESG and with what data the respective risks can be managed. Presentation (members only) are available here: https://www.swiss-risk.org/upcoming-events/srd-climate-risk/