ESG

Criticism of climate rule 'lacks merit', SEC argues

WisdomTree faces possible enforcement action by SEC over ESG funds

Sustainable bonds getting 'more explicit' and focused on usage plans

Sustainable bond issuers are getting more comfortable with being increasingly focused and explicit around their use-of-proceeds intentions as investor expectations evolve, according to NatWest.

Glencore should commit to phase out newly acquired coal assets, Ninety One says

Mining giant Glencore should commit to phasing out coal mines it has acquired in its purchase of Elk Valley Resources, asset manager Ninety One has said.

Sustainable bond market share declines amid 'opportunistic' issuance trend

The decline in bond market share for sustainable bond in 2024 has been primarily driven by issuers trying to get to market quickly with deals rather than waning interest in sustainable bonds, according to Moody's.

Californian proposal to delay disclosure rules 'grossly overstates' work required

Passive fund growth fuels $38bn ESG bond fund inflows in 2024, says Barclays

Global environmental, social and governance (ESG)-focused bond funds have reported "strong" net inflows worth a cumulative $38 billion in 2024 to date, according to Barclays - with passively managed funds leading the surge.

UK to introduce law regulating ESG ratings

The UK will introduce law to regulate ESG ratings next year, in a move it says will help drive investment into sustainable companies.

Thinktank renews call for net zero accounting standard

A thinktank has renewed its call for a "net zero accounting standard", arguing that financial accounts fail to adequately help investors understand companies' climate-related assets and liabilities.

US exodus of CA100+ continues as politicians say it could violate antitrust laws

More US asset managers have departed Climate Action 100+ (CA100+), as Republican politicians wrote to more than 100 investors asking them how they would pressure companies to decarbonise and suggested that signatories could have breached US antitrust law.

Costa Rica to publish sustainable finance taxonomy next week

Costa Rica is preparing to publish its sustainable finance taxonomy next week, just over two months after completion of a consultation on the proposed 'green' list for the South American country.

Standard Chartered raises $235m for Texas PV manufacturing plant

'Annual social bond reporting doesn't make sense'

A major European issuer has argued that the sustainable bond market should look beyond annual reporting to better capture the long-term impact sought by instruments such as social and biodiversity-focused bonds.

Banks reporting 'very low' green assets amid data 'shortcomings'

European banks have reported "very low" green asset ratios (GAR) in the first year of the disclosures amid important shortcomings in the data applied which impact their comparability, according to Barclays.