I en nylig rapport fra MSCI identificeres 32 ESG-temaer og trends, som vil have indflydelse i 2023. Rapporten har blandt andet fokus på klimaforandringer, biodiversitetstab, social ulighed, ESG-politik og greenwashing.
Her udpluk fra rapporten:
- Energy crisis, Ukraine war driving fossil fuel agenda, but don’t rule out renewables: The ongoing war in Ukraine and high-inflationary environment may limit near-term pressure to reduce global greenhouse-gas emissions as governments prioritize energy security and affordability. But for power companies, swapping coal and oil for natural gas may not be the only practical option.
- Market conditions could test investors’ commitment to say-on-climate voting: According to our analysis, more investors voted against corporate climate strategies in 2022 compared to 2021, especially where a company’s emissions trajectory was misaligned with global temperature targets. However, energy market turmoil and a focus on energy security may change voting behavior.
- Regulators turn their gaze to ESG funds: ESG-oriented funds have long operated with limited regulatory guidance. But regulatory interest in fund names and funds’ classification and disclosure obligations are ramping up globally. Spearheaded by the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, which imposes requirements on more transparent reporting for ESG funds, other major market regulators are following suit.
- Cutting deforestation: Market restrictions get real: Despite commitments to halt forest loss, 2021 saw tree-cover loss of 25.3 million hectares globally, an area larger than Great Britain. In addition, 2022 saw global wildfires burn down millions of hectares more. COP155 addressed such natural losses, while the European Parliament recently introduced legislation requiring products sold in the EU to be deforestation-free.
- Mining old electronics to fuel new energy tech: In recent years, China and the EU have strengthened policies and guidelines on the circular treatment of materials and waste, including electronic waste (e-waste). In September 2022, the U.S. followed suit, passing a bill on recycling electric-vehicle batteries. Efficiently extracting metals from e-waste could reduce dependency on mining and emissions.
- Cotton’s crunch point and the future of fiber: Cotton makes over 25% of the clothes we wear, but its harmful impacts, like soil degradation and water consumption, have spurred demand for more environmentally friendly options. Apparel retailers have responded by working with third-party certifiers for sustainable cotton and exploring alternatives. However, catastrophic flooding in Pakistan and the withdrawal of some certifications from China have created supply issues.”
Læs hele rapporten her.
