#esg adoption

[darkmaga-retard]

It seemed like a blatantly poor business decision for American motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson to go woke. After all, the company is associated with conservative values and masculinity. The company installed CEO Jochen Zeitz who represents everything the brand’s core base is against – climate change, trans care for kids, DEI efforts, and other woke policies.

Now I should mention that Blackrock owned an 8% share in Harley Davidson, the fund that has forced businesses to comply with “woke social scores” to secure funding. After installing Zeitz, the company suddenly partnered with United Way and the Human Rights Campaign. The CEI (Corporate Equality Index) was created by the HRC (Human Rights Campaign), a massive international political lobbying group that pushes the woke agenda aggressively and is funded by Soros. The CEI judges a company’s woke rating, while the ESG encompasses everything.

These companies are not trying to appease the LGBTQ+ community; they’re trying to appease BlackRock so that they can maintain high social credit scores and maintain funding. And who is Blackrock trying to appease? The World Economic Forum, where current CEO Jochen Zeitz was once employed. He took it upon himself to fund “The B Team” which aims to force businesses to adopt social policies.

“Plan A—where business has been motivated primarily by profit—is no longer an option. We knew this when we came together in 2013. United in the belief that the private sector can, and must, redefine both its responsibilities and its own terms of success, we imagined a ‘Plan B’ – for concerted, positive action to ensure business becomes a driving force for social, environmental, and economic benefit. We are focused on driving action to achieve this vision by starting ‘at home’ in our own companies, taking collective action to scale systemic solutions and using our voice where we can make a difference.”

Shareholders certainly do not care about business being motivated by anything other than profit. Blackrock and others have tried to move away from the disastrous CEI score but something behind the curtain is forcing these companies to comply. The B Team is working toward Agenda 2030, which seems foolish to align a fossil-fuel driven company with climate initiatives.

There is an ulterior motive that is forcing these companies to go woke, but what is the alternative? We see what has happened with Budweiser, Target, Starbucks, John Deere, the list goes on. Now, Harley owners are selling their bikes and vowing never to buy from the company again. Employees at the company are being forced to undergo DEI training and take classes to become an LGBTQ ally. But the company is now appeasing the WEF and Blackrock with its Human Rights Campaign social CEI score of 90.

[climatecalling]

The company has pledged US$1.4 billion to reduce carbon emissions by 2025, despite netting annual profits of just over $2 billion in 2022. ... So it was surprising when the Financial Times reported on Sept. 25, 2023, that Lego had pulled out of its widely publicized “Bottles to Bricks” initiative. ... When Lego assessed the project’s environmental impact throughout its supply chain, it found that producing bricks with the recycled plastic would require extra materials and energy to make them durable enough. This conversion process would result in higher carbon emissions. ... Scope 1 emissions are generated directly by a company’s internal operations. Scope 2 emissions are caused by generating the electricity, steam, heat or cooling a company consumes. And scope 3 emissions are generated by a company’s supply chain, from upstream suppliers to downstream distributors and end customers. ... Companies’ scope 3 emissions are on average 11.4 times greater than their scope 1 emissions. A staggering 98% of Lego’s carbon emissions are categorized as scope 3. ... The EU in June 2023 adopted the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards, which will require publicly traded companies in the EU to disclose their scope 3 emissions, starting in their reports for fiscal year 2024. California’s legislature passed similar legislation requiring companies with revenues of more than $1 billion to disclose their scope 3 emissions. ... This calls for a nuanced understanding of sustainability, not as a checklist of good deeds, but as a complex, ongoing process that requires vigilance, transparency and, above all, a commitment to the benefit of future generations.

[kp777]

By Brett Wilkins

Common Dreams

Nov. 17, 2023

Seven of 12 proposed science textbooks for Texas 8th graders were rejected Friday by the Republican-controlled state Board of Education because they propose solutions to the climate emergency or were published by a company with an environmental, social, and governance policy.

The Texas Tribunereported that the 15-member board, which for the first time was required to include climate education for 8th graders, approved five of 12 proposed science textbooks, but called on their publishers to remove content deemed false or presenting a negative portrayal of oil and gas in the nation's biggest fossil fuel producer.

"America's future generations don't need a leftist agenda brainwashing them in the classroom to hate oil and natural gas," said Republican state energy regulator Wayne Christian, who had urged the board to choose books that promote planet-heating fossil fuels.

Some board members also objected to textbooks that did not include alternatives to the theory of evolution. One textbook was approved only after the removal of images highlighting that human beings—taxonomically classified as great apes—share ancestry with monkeys.

"Teaching creationism or any of its offshoots, such as intelligent design, in Texas' public schools is unlawful, because creationism is not based in fact," Chris Line, an attorney with the Freedom from Religion Foundation, said Friday. "Courts have routinely found that such teachings are religious, despite many new and imaginative labels given to the alternatives."

"Federal courts consistently reject creationism and its ilk, as well as attempts to suppress the teaching of evolution, in the public schools," Line added.

State standards approved by the board's conservative majority in 2021 do not include creationism as an alternative to evolution. The standards also acknowledge that human activities contribute to climate change.

Despite an overwhelming scientific consensus that human activity—primarily, the burning of fossil fuels—drives global heating, Republican board Secretary Patricia Hardy argued before the vote that such a stance amounts to "taking a position that all of that is settled science, and that our extreme weather is caused by climate change."

One textbook was rejected because its publisher has an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policy. ESG frameworks account for workplace diversity, the treatment of employees, and preparedness for the climate crisis.

Democratic board member Marisa Perez-Diaz said during debate on the textbooks that "my fear is that we will render ourselves irrelevant moving forward when it comes to what publishers want to work with us and will help us get proper materials in front of our young people, and for me that's heartbreaking."

The National Science Teaching Association—a group of 35,000 U.S. science educators—on Thursday implored the board to reject "misguided objections to evolution and climate change [that] impede the adoption of science textbooks in Texas."

As in other GOP-run states, Texas officials have pushed book bans and other restrictions in schools and libraries, even as they portray themselves as champions of freedom. According to freedom of expression defenders PEN America, only Florida banned more books in schools than Texas during the 2022-23 academic year.

[busstalks]

Best 10 Business Strategies for year 2024

In 2024 and beyond, businesses will have to change with the times and adjust their approach based on new and existing market realities. The following are the best 10 business approach that will help companies to prosper in coming year

1. Embrace Sustainability

The days when sustainability was discretionary are long gone. Businesses need to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) values into their business practices. In the same vein, brands can improve brand identity and appeal to environmental advocates by using renewable forms of energy or minimizing their carbon footprints.

Example: a fashion brand can rethink the materials to use organic cotton and recycled for their clothing lines. They can also run a take-back scheme, allowing customers to return old clothes for recycling (not only reducing waste but creating and supporting the circular economy).

2. Leverage AI

AI is revolutionizing business operations. Using AI-fuelled solutions means that you can automate processes, bring in positive customer experiences, and get insights. AI chatbots: AI can be utilized in the form of a conversational entity to support and perform backend operations, as well.

With a bit more specificity, say for example that an AI-powered recommendation engine recommends products to customers based on their browsing history and purchase patterns (as the use case of retail). This helps to increase the sales and improve the shopping experience.

3. Prioritize Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is of utmost important as more and more business transitions towards digital platforms. Businesses need to part with a more substantial amount of money on advanced protective measures so that they can keep sensitive data private and continue earning consumer trust. Regular security audits and training of employees can reduce these risks.

Example: A financial services firm may implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all online transactions, regularly control access to Internet-facing administrative interfaces and service ports as well as the encryption protocols to secure client data from cyberattacks.

4. Optimizing Remote and Hybrid Working Models

Remote / hybrid is the new normal Remote teams force companies to implement effective motivation and management strategies. Collaboration tools and a balanced virtual culture can improve productivity and employee satisfaction.

- Illustration: a Tech company using Asana / Trello etc. for pm to keep remote teams from falling out of balance. They can also organise weekly team-building activities to keep a strong team spirit.

5. Focus on Customer Experience

Retention and growth of the sales follow-through can be tied to high quality customer experiences. Harness data analytics to deepen customer insights and personalize product offers making your marketing campaigns personal: a customer support that is responsive enough can drive a great level of returning customers.

Example – For any e-commerce business, you can take user experience feedback tools to know about how your customers are getting along and make necessary changes. Custom email campaigns and loyalty programs can also be positively associated with customer satisfaction and retention.

6. Digitalization Investment

It is only the beginning of digital transformation which we all know, is key to global competitiveness. For streamlining, companies have to adopt the use advanced technologies such as Blockchain Technology and Internet of Things (IoT) in conjunction with cloud computing.

IoT example : real-time tracking and analytics to optimize supply chain management

7. Enhance Employee Skills

Develop Your Employees: Investing in employee development is key to succeeding as a business. The training is provided for the folks of various industries and so employees can increase their skills that are needed to work in a certain company. Employee performance can be enhanced by providing training programs in future technology skills and soft skills and job satisfaction.

Example: A marketing agency can host webinars or create courses to teach people the latest digital marketing trends and tools This can help to keep employees in the know which results in boosting their skills, making your campaigns successful.

8. Diversify Supply Chains

The ongoing pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of global supply chains. …diversify its supply base and promote the manufacturing of drugs in Nigeria to eliminate total dependence on a single source. In return, this approach increases resilience and reduces exposure to the risks of supply chain interruption.

- E.g., a consumer electronics company can source components from many suppliers in various regions. In so doing, this alleviates avoidable supply chain interruptions during times of political tensions or when disasters hit.

9. Make Decisions Based on Data

A business database is an asset for businesses. By implementing data, they allow you to make decisions based on the data that your analytics tools are providing. For example, sales analysis lets you track trends and better tailor your goods to the market.

Example: A retail chain can use data analytics to find out when a customer buys, and it change their purchasing policies. This can also reduce overstock and stockouts while overall, increasing efficiency.

10. Foster Innovation

Business Growth Innovation is Key A culture of creativity and experimentation should be established in companies. Funding R&D and teaming with startups can open many doors to both solve problems creatively but also tap into new markets.

Example: A software development firm could create an innovation lab where team members are freed to work on speculative projects. Moreover, work with start-ups on new technologies and solutions.

By adopting these strategies, businesses can navigate the turbulence for 2024 and roll up market — progressive.AI with an evolving dynamic market, being ahead of trends and updated is most likely will help you thrive in the business landscape.

[elsa16744]

The Ultimate Guide to ESG Investing: Strategies and Benefits 

Socio-economic and environmental challenges can disrupt ecological, social, legal, and financial balance. Consequently, investors are increasingly adopting ESG investing strategies to enhance portfolio management and stock selection with a focus on sustainability. This guide delves into the key ESG investing strategies and their advantages for stakeholders. 

What is ESG Investing? 

ESG investing involves evaluating a company's environmental, social, and governance practices as part of due diligence. This approach helps investors gauge a company's alignment with humanitarian and sustainable development goals. Given the complex nature of various regional frameworks, enterprises and investors rely on ESG data and solutions to facilitate compliance auditing through advanced, scalable technologies. 

Detailed ESG reports empower fund managers, financial advisors, government officials, institutions, and business leaders to benchmark and enhance a company's sustainability performance. Frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) utilize globally recognized criteria for this purpose. 

However, ESG scoring methods, statistical techniques, and reporting formats vary significantly across consultants. Some use interactive graphical interfaces for company screening, while others produce detailed reports compatible with various data analysis and visualization tools. 

ESG Investing and Compliance Strategies for Stakeholders 

ESG Strategies for Investors 

Investors should leverage the best tools and compliance monitoring systems to identify potentially unethical or socially harmful corporate activities. They can develop customized reporting views to avoid problematic companies and prioritize those that excel in ESG investing. 

High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) often invest in sustainability-focused exchange-traded funds that exclude sectors like weapon manufacturing, petroleum, and controversial industries. Others may perform peer analysis and benchmarking to compare businesses and verify their ESG ratings. 

Today, investors fund initiatives in renewable energy, inclusive education, circular economy practices, and low-carbon businesses. With the rise of ESG databases and compliance auditing methods, optimizing ESG investing strategies has become more manageable. 

Business Improvement Strategies 

Companies aiming to attract ESG-centric investment should adopt strategies that enhance their sustainability compliance. Tracking ESG ratings with various technologies, participating in corporate social responsibility campaigns, and improving social impact through local development projects are vital steps. 

Additional strategies include reducing resource consumption, using recyclable packaging, fostering a diverse workplace, and implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect consumer data. 

Encouraging ESG Adoption through Government Actions 

Governments play a crucial role in educating investors and businesses about sustainability compliance based on international ESG frameworks. Balancing regional needs with long-term sustainability goals is essential for addressing multi-stakeholder interests. 

For instance, while agriculture is vital for trade and food security, it can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption. Governments should promote green technologies to mitigate carbon risks and ensure efficient resource use. 

Regulators can use ESG data and insights to offer tax incentives to compliant businesses and address discrepancies between sustainable development frameworks and regulations. These strategies can help attract foreign investments by highlighting the advantages of ESG-compliant companies. 

Benefits of ESG Investing Strategies 

Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience 

The lack of standardization and governance can expose supply chains to various risks. ESG strategies help businesses and investors identify and address these challenges. Governance metrics in ESG audits can reveal unethical practices or high emissions among suppliers. 

By utilizing ESG reports, organizations can choose more responsible suppliers, thereby enhancing supply chain resilience and finding sustainable companies with strong compliance records. 

Increasing Stakeholder Trust in the Brand 

Consumers and impact investors prefer companies that prioritize eco-friendly practices and inclusivity. Aligning operational standards with these expectations can boost brand awareness and trust. 

Investors should guide companies in developing ESG-focused business intelligence and using valid sustainability metrics in marketing materials. This approach simplifies ESG reporting and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. 

Optimizing Operations and Resource Planning 

Unsafe or discriminatory workplaces can deter talented professionals. A company's social metrics are crucial for ESG investing enthusiasts who value a responsible work environment. 

Integrating green technologies and maintaining strong governance practices improve operational efficiency, resource management, and overall profitability. 

Conclusion 

Global brands face increased scrutiny due to unethical practices, poor workplace conditions, and negative environmental impacts. However, investors can steer companies towards appreciating the benefits of ESG principles, strategies, and sustainability audits to future-proof their operations. 

As the global focus shifts towards responsible consumption, production, and growth, ESG investing will continue to gain traction and drive positive change. 

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Joel Kotkin

Published: Jun 21, 2023

In an age of darkness, glimpses of light are rare — but all the brighter for it. As the censorious progressivism embraced by Joe Biden and much of his Democratic party grows into an increasingly pervasive quasi-religion, ordinary people are finding ways to push back. Like democratic Leftists in the Cold War, old-style liberals are becoming a key force in challenging today’s new orthodoxies.

And this rising tide of liberal apostasy, coupled with a growing pushback from grassroots businesses and consumers, represents a far more profound challenge to the established order than the one routinely mounted by conservatives. In the Renaissance, the impetus for change did not come from Jews, Muslims, devil-worshippers or pagans, but devout Christians such as Erasmus, Luther and Calvin.

In our era, the most powerful critics of progressive theology once again tilt to the Left: Andrew Sullivan, Matt Taibbi, Ruy Teixeira, to name but three. Their apostasy rises to uphold the basic principles once central to liberalism — equality of opportunity, free speech, and open inquiry. This battle is also reminiscent of the struggle waged by the Renaissance critics of the all-powerful Catholic Church. Today, it’s not bishops or popes who seek control, but the oligarchs and their media platforms which, with the sometimes exception of Twitter, favour a censorship regime that brands dissidents largely as purveyors of “misinformation”.

Like earlier apostates, religious or scientific, ours face an uphill struggle. They must contend with forces within the C-suite and, particularly, academia, where even the sciences are now constrained by ideological edicts. This is where the money flows, often to a host of non-profits, some secretly funded, that spread the gospels of censorship, police reduction, indoctrination in schools and an apocalyptic environmental agenda. One problem the apostates face is therefore an obvious one: despite often impressive media resumes, their research rarely makes it into the mainstream, their voices being carried no further than Twitter, Substack and the more broad-minded corners of the media.

This pushback comes at a propitious time, extending beyond a few dissident intellectuals to the grassroots and business moguls such as Elon Musk, Ken Griffin and Bernie Marcus. The latter, in particular, understand that the new progressive orthodoxy undermines the entire system by embracing anti-capitalist memes and reducing the role of merit in a system built around it. And so a critical front has been the rebellion against ESG (environmental, social, governance) standards. Many US states have moved to take their pension funds out of firms that embrace this ideology; some investment houses, notably Vanguard and upstart Thrive Asset Management, are eschewing corporate policies that stress climate change and other issues over fiduciary obligation to investors.. The fact that returns to ESG firms have been poor, when compared with those tied to fossil fuels and basic industries, could presage a further awakening among financial and business leaders that the balance sheet, rather than ideological back-slapping, constitutes the primary mission of business.

More important still, apostasy is also rising among the general population. The pressure for reparations, for example, is opposed by upwards of two-thirds of Americans. All major ethnic groups, notes Pew, reject race quotas, including African-Americans; overall, almost three in four oppose this, as do a majority of both Democrats and Republicans.

In the race debate, the role of black apostates is particularly critical. As John McWhorter has long argued, preferential policies encourage “therapeutic alienation” among black people and other minorities — leading some to adopt a mentality of “anger and scapegoating”, instead of doing “the work needed for success”. In the bizarre world of modern progressivism, any opposition to this agenda is “racist”, even if it comes from people who support equal rights and access to opportunity. Critics of race-based discrimination such as McWhorter and Glenn Loury are far from Klansmen incarnate.

Similarly, assaults on European culture have proven unlikely to win over the masses in these countries, the bulk of whom still express some pride in their heritage. The notion that Western societies are eternally oppressive and racist seems a bit of a stretch given that millions of Africans, Middle Easterners, and south Asians continue to flock to these countries, largely to experience higher levels of economic and cultural freedom. The progressive assault on heritage also is likely to stir up far-Right sentiment, as we can see in France, Denmark, and, perhaps most dangerously, Germany.

The ever-more edgy cultural agenda of the Left, particularly its obsession with transgenderism, provides additional fuel for apostasy. People generally believe in the existence of two genders, and are hostile to efforts to impose either sexual or explicitly political curricula on young people. The idea of parental rights, for example — making sure parents are informed if their child decides to transition — has broad support, including nearly four-fifths of Californians, reflecting what appear to be national trends. In defiance of the transgender advocacy from the White House down, the opposition to sporting categories based on gender, rather than sex, has actually grown over the last two years, with even more Democrats now opposed to the practice than in favour.

Critically — and, no doubt, shocking for some — many opposing the progressive agenda are themselves minorities. In Britain and Europe, for example, Muslims tend to be more religious and socially conservative than whites, and Indians, particularly Hindus, have been drifting Right-wards for a generation. In America, surveys show that foreign-born Americans are also more culturally conservative than the native-born.

Perhaps the most economically significant apostasy relates to climate-change policy. Despite growing moves to censor contrary opinions, here the liberal apostates are not classic deniers or oil company executives, but respected scientists such as former Obama advisor Steve Koonin, and climate scientists Roger Pielke and Judith Curry. Even some environmentalists — including Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore — openly denounce “Net Zero” and “de-growth” policies as both impractical and deeply flawed. They recognise that these policies are already leading to the immiseration of poorer people, particularly in California and Germany. They are not calling for an end to climate change mitigation, but for policies that are more realistic and less economically damaging for the working and middle classes.

And then there are grassroots protests at European governments’ attempts to impose emission reductions on farmers and ban chemical fertilisers — regulatory moves at a time when food prices are rising throughout the West. Efforts to reduce agricultural output, now being suggested in the United States and Canada, also could have dire consequences for billions in the developing world. It’s hardly surprising, then, that there is growing scepticism about climate policies globally; in surveys, it barely registers as a priority for people either in Africa or the US where, according to Gallup, climate is stated as a primary concern for barely 2% of the population.

Other troubles, notably the loss of industry amid soaring energy costs, are already creating a popular backlash, which has been a boon for the far-Right in Germany and Italy, among others. Some centrist regimes have taken fright, with France’s Emmanuel Macron stepping back from climate extremism. Less than a year ago, Germany signed an EU target to ban the sale of cars with internal combustion engines by 2035, but quickly backtracked.

Overall, for all the talk of ideological polarisation, public opinion may well be tilting more towards the apostates than those of the progressive zealots. Despite the media profile of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her fellow “Squad” members, the majority of Democrat members consider themselves moderate or conservative, while barely one in four sees themselves as “very liberal”.

Of course, even with public support, supporters of traditional liberal values face a number of challenges when it comes to enacting meaningful political change. But there is some good news. Many companies are now rethinking their marketing strategies in the face of negative consumer reaction. There are even glimmers of hope for liberal apostasy in some big cities, as demonstrated by the election of New York’s pro-police Eric Adams and San Francisco’s recall of progressive school board members.

As was the case during the Reformation, the apostate’s course is still not an easy one. But their critique remains critical to undermining the current progressive theology — a far more effective weapon than the reactionary antics of DeSantis, which are focused primarily on Right-leaning GOP voters. In contrast, the apostates speak the same language and share many of the values that once constituted progressive ideals. They are, in other words, both the key to restoring rationality — and to keeping liberalism alive for future generations.

==

I'm a-Woke for the exact same reasons I'm a-theist.

[transcendaccounting]

Unravelling Audit Trends: A Guide for Accountants and Auditors in Dubai

Welcome, accountants and auditors in Dubai, to an insightful exploration of the latest audit trends shaping our vibrant industry landscape. In this guide, we'll delve into key trends, technological advancements, regulatory shifts, and best practices that are essential for your success in Dubai's dynamic financial sector.

Regulatory Updates: Stay ahead of the game by keeping abreast of the latest regulatory changes in Dubai. From updates in financial reporting standards to compliance requirements, understanding and adapting to these changes is crucial for ensuring accurate and compliant audits.

Technology Integration: Embrace the power of technology to enhance your audit processes. AI-driven analytics, cloud-based platforms, and automation tools can streamline auditing tasks, improve accuracy, and provide deeper insights into financial data, ultimately saving time and resources.

Best Practices: Elevate your audit game with best practices focused on risk assessment, internal control evaluation, and fraud detection. Proactive measures and robust strategies in these areas can strengthen audit outcomes, instill client trust, and mitigate risks effectively.

Sustainability Reporting: With sustainability gaining prominence, auditors in Dubai play a pivotal role in verifying and enhancing the credibility of sustainability reports. Incorporating ESG factors into audits is becoming increasingly important, reflecting the growing emphasis on corporate responsibility.

Blockchain Revolution: Explore the potential of blockchain technology in auditing. Its features such as enhanced data security, transparency, and immutability are transforming audit trails and ensuring the integrity of financial information, offering auditors innovative solutions to improve audit efficiency and reliability.

Future Outlook: The future of auditing in Dubai is promising for those who embrace change and innovation. Continuous learning, upskilling in technology, and maintaining compliance with evolving standards will be key drivers of success in the ever-evolving audit landscape.

By staying informed, leveraging technology, adopting best practices, and embracing innovation, accountants and auditors in Dubai can navigate through challenges, deliver value-added services, and drive excellence in auditing practices, cementing their position as trusted financial advisors in the region.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

World Bank to lend $500 million to help Brazil meet climate goals

The World Bank´s board of directors approved late on Thursday a $500 million project in Brazil to expand sustainability-linked finance and strengthen the private sector’s capacity to access carbon credit markets and help the country curb deforestation.

The initiative, in collaboration with Brazilian state-controlled lender Banco do Brasil, adopts an approach to lending linked to sustainability to help Brazil meet its climate goals and deliver "robust" mitigation benefits, a bank statement said.

Sustainability-linked financing (SLF) allows for lower financing costs when certain environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements are met by a company but does not require the funds to be used for climate-friendly purposes.

At the start of December, the World Bank and its partners launched a global tracking system to clean up the opaque market for carbon credits and help developing countries raise much-needed climate finance quickly and more cheaply.

Continue reading.

[sbuzelli]

Art by @gizem__vural #plansponsor "DC Plans Slow to Adopt ESG Options" #editorialillustration #illustration #GizemVural #artdirection #soojinbuzelli *** Image: New item may affect delicate balance and eco-system https://www.instagram.com/p/CjqkuCPuzYT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[zelda-larsson]

Opportunities for More Ambitious Action in Corporate Climate Change

For corporate climate change commitments to drive real change, they need to go beyond surface-level initiatives. Companies must invest in innovation, research, and development to create new, sustainable technologies that reduce environmental harm. For instance, moving toward more sustainable production methods and embracing circular economy principles can help cut emissions and waste significantly.

Collaboration will also play a major role. Businesses need to work together with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure their efforts align with broader climate action strategies. Partnerships that focus on scaling renewable energy infrastructure, decarbonizing supply chains, and protecting natural ecosystems can amplify the impact of corporate efforts.

Further, transparency is essential. Companies should adopt robust reporting mechanisms that track progress on their environmental goals and openly share this data with stakeholders. This level of transparency will not only build trust but also ensure accountability.

Companies need to innovate and look for transformative ways to operate in a low-carbon world. This means reevaluating supply chains, investing in clean technology, and collaborating across industries,” Michael Shvartsman explains.

Michael Shvartsman believes that companies must be prepared to take risks. “Being a leader in climate action requires more than just following trends. Companies that are willing to take bold steps, even when the financial payoffs aren’t immediately clear, will be the ones that make a lasting impact.”

Moving from Promises to Action.

For corporate climate change commitments to deliver the needed results, businesses must embrace both immediate and long-term strategies. The time for action is now. Every year of delayed action further intensifies the environmental challenges we face. Corporations must focus on reducing emissions, adopting sustainable practices, and building more resilient business models.

Regulatory changes and consumer demand for transparency will likely continue to drive corporate accountability. Investors are increasingly prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics when making decisions, meaning that companies will face financial pressure to act on their commitments. Those that fail to do so risk not only reputational damage but also missed opportunities for growth in the evolving green economy.

Corporate climate change commitments have the potential to play a significant role in the global effort to combat environmental degradation. However, the true impact of these pledges will depend on how they are executed. As Michael Shvartsman emphasizes, it’s not just about making promises for the future. It’s about taking immediate, measurable actions that will shape a more sustainable world.

For businesses, the time has come to move beyond statements of intent and toward real progress. While corporate pledges are an essential starting point, the future depends on companies following through, embracing innovation, and working collectively to address the most pressing environmental challenge of our time.

Read more:

[shivapratap1001]

Sustainable Investing: ESG Factors in Share Market Today

Have you noticed that investors nowadays are focusing on ESG factors when making decisions based on investment in the share market? However, analysing ESG disclosures can be challenging due to the need for more standardisation.

Read on to understand the key ESG criteria for sustainable investing, India’s accelerating adoption, global acceptance, and the positive transformation of business practices.

[coineagle]

Unprecedented Adoption Rate for Bitcoin ETFs, Reports Industry Executive

Key Points

Bitcoin ETFs have seen inflows after weeks of outflows, indicating a potential market shift.

Wealth advisors have been rapidly adopting Bitcoin ETFs, despite limited institutional participation.

Bitcoin ETFs Show Signs of Recovery

After a period of continuous outflows, Bitcoin [BTC] Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are demonstrating signs of recovery. Between August 27th and September 6th, BTC ETFs experienced a total outflow of $1,185.9 million, suggesting a challenging phase for the asset. However, on September 9th, these ETFs recorded a net inflow of $28.6 million, which may signal a shift in market sentiment.

Views on Bitcoin ETF Adoption

Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, observed that wealth advisors are adopting Bitcoin ETFs at a rapid pace, reflecting growing confidence in the asset’s future. This statement was in response to investment researcher Jim Bianco’s contrasting view on BTC ETF adoption. Bianco highlighted that traditional financial institutions are not driving the majority of Bitcoin ETF inflows, despite growing interest. He further noted that around 85% of BTC ETF uptake is from non-traditional finance sources, indicating that while wealth advisors are increasingly adopting Bitcoin ETFs, institutional participation remains relatively limited.

Hougan disagreed with Bianco’s perspective, stating, “Per his [Jim Bianco] table, IBIT has attracted $1.45 billion in net flows from investment advisors. He calls this “small” because it’s a fraction of the $46 billion that has flowed into bitcoin ETFs in total.” He further emphasized that if only the $1.45 billion linked to investment advisors were considered, IBIT would be the second fastest-growing ETF launched this year, out of over 300 launches.

Hougan also pointed out that the only ETF surpassing IBIT in terms of assets is KLMT, an ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) ETF. However, KLMT’s large asset size is misleading as it was funded by a single investor, not through widespread market adoption. He concluded, “It is accurate to say that investment managers represent a small fraction of buyers of bitcoin ETFs. But it is not accurate to say that investment manager purchases of bitcoin ETFs are “small.”

Bitcoin’s Price Movement

In the past 24 hours, BTC experienced a notable 3.61% increase, pushing its price to $56,873. This rise is encouraging, as BTC was confined to a tight trading range over the weekend. There now appears to be potential for Bitcoin to break above the $56K threshold. However, the RSI, currently at 45 and running parallel to the neutral line, indicates that a bearish momentum remains present, signaling cautious optimism moving forward.

[andalmartina]

Your Financial Goals: How the Best Investment Planners Are Adapting to Modern Trends

In an ever-evolving financial landscape, investment planning has become increasingly sophisticated, thanks to advancements in technology and changes in client expectations. The best investment planners are at the forefront of these changes, adapting to modern trends to better meet your financial goals. Here’s a look at how top investment planners are embracing innovation and technology to help you achieve your financial objectives.

1. Leveraging Advanced Technology

a. Robo-Advisors and Automation

One of the most significant advancements in investment planning is the rise of robo-advisors. These automated platforms use algorithms to provide investment advice and manage portfolios with minimal human intervention. Robo-advisors offer several advantages, including lower fees, reduced human error, and the ability to handle large volumes of client accounts efficiently.

Top investment planners are integrating robo-advisor technology to offer a hybrid approach. This means combining the precision and efficiency of algorithms with the personalized touch of human advisors. This integration allows for streamlined investment management while still providing tailored advice based on individual financial goals.

b. Big Data and Predictive Analytics

Big data and predictive analytics have transformed how investment planners analyze market trends and client behavior. By harnessing vast amounts of data, planners can identify patterns, predict market movements, and make more informed investment decisions. This data-driven approach enables planners to tailor strategies that align closely with clients’ financial goals and risk tolerance.

2. Personalized Financial Planning

a. Customized Investment Strategies

Modern investment planners are moving away from one-size-fits-all strategies and focusing on personalized financial planning. By using advanced analytics and client data, they create customized investment strategies that are specifically designed to meet your unique financial goals, whether it’s saving for retirement, buying a home, or funding education.

Personalized planning involves a deep understanding of your financial situation, including income, expenses, investment preferences, and long-term objectives. This level of customization ensures that the investment strategy is aligned with your individual needs and helps maximize the potential for achieving your goals.

b. Goal-Based Planning

The best investment planners are increasingly adopting a goal-based planning approach. Instead of focusing solely on asset allocation and market returns, they prioritize understanding your financial objectives and designing strategies to achieve them. This approach involves setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, and then crafting an investment plan that aligns with these goals.

3. Enhanced Client Engagement

a. Digital Communication Tools

To stay connected with clients and provide timely updates, top investment planners are utilizing digital communication tools. These tools include secure client portals, video conferencing, and mobile apps, which allow for seamless interaction and access to account information. Digital platforms enable clients to track their investments in real time, access important documents, and communicate with their advisors from anywhere.

b. Educational Resources and Transparency

Modern investment planners are also focusing on client education and transparency. They provide educational resources, such as webinars, articles, and interactive tools, to help clients understand investment concepts and market dynamics. This approach empowers clients to make informed decisions and fosters a collaborative relationship between the planner and the client.

4. Emphasizing Sustainable and Ethical Investing

a. ESG Investing

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing has gained significant traction in recent years. The best investment planners are incorporating ESG criteria into their investment strategies to align with clients’ values and ethical considerations. ESG investing focuses on companies that demonstrate strong environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and sound governance practices.

By integrating ESG factors into investment planning, planners help clients invest in ways that not only meet their financial goals but also support causes they care about. This trend reflects a growing demand for responsible investing and a commitment to positive social and environmental impact.

b. Impact Investing

Impact investing is another trend that is reshaping investment planning. It involves investing in projects or companies that aim to generate positive social or environmental outcomes alongside financial returns. Investment planners who embrace impact investing offer clients opportunities to support meaningful causes while achieving their financial objectives.

Conclusion

The best investment planners are continuously adapting to modern trends to better support your financial goals. By leveraging advanced technology, providing personalized planning, enhancing client engagement, and embracing sustainable investing, these professionals are well-equipped to help you navigate the complexities of today’s financial landscape. As you seek to achieve your financial objectives, partnering with an investment planner who is attuned to these trends can provide valuable insights and strategies to ensure your success.

[greenbuildingconsultant]

Why Green Building Consultants Are Key to Achieving ESG Goals

In today's fast-paced world, achieving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals has become a top priority for organizations worldwide. Businesses increasingly adopt sustainable practices to meet regulatory requirements and attract environmentally conscious investors. One of the most effective ways to align with ESG goals is by embracing green building practices, and that's where Green Building Consultants play a vital role.

Understanding the Role of Green Building Consultants

A Green Building Consultant helps organizations design, build, and operate sustainable structures that minimize environmental impact. Their expertise extends beyond energy efficiency; it includes areas such as water conservation, waste reduction, indoor air quality, and eco-friendly materials. By guiding businesses through sustainable construction and operational practices, green building consultants are instrumental in achieving ESG targets.

Green Building Consultancy services go beyond providing recommendations; they help businesses meet international certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), and other global sustainability standards. Green building consultants ensure that a building meets the environmental criteria necessary to fulfil ESG mandates.

Green Building Consultancy in UAE

The UAE has been at the forefront of sustainable development in the Middle East. With its ambitious Vision 2030, the nation is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainability across industries. As part of this vision, Green Building Consultancy in the UAE has seen a significant rise in demand. Businesses looking to align with the UAE's sustainability goals are increasingly seeking the services of Green Building Consultants to ensure their projects meet the required green building standards.

Whether a commercial skyscraper in Dubai or a residential development in Abu Dhabi, Green Building Consultancy in Dubai and across the UAE is essential to minimizing environmental impact and improving social responsibility metrics, consultants' expertise helps organizations meet national regulations, attract investors, and gain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.

Achieving ESG Goals with Agile Advisors

One of the leading firms in the sustainability space is Agile Advisors, a company dedicated to providing comprehensive green building consultancy services. Agile Advisors guides organizations in the UAE and beyond through the intricacies of sustainable construction and operational practices. Their team of experts works closely with businesses to help them meet their green building goals and their broader ESG objectives.

Agile Advisors provides customized solutions that address energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and compliance with local and international green building standards. Organizations can enhance their ESG credentials by leveraging their services while minimizing their environmental footprint.

How Green Building Consultants Drive ESG Success

Environmental Impact: The "E" in ESG is often the most visible, and green building consultants are critical players in reducing a company's environmental impact. By recommending energy-efficient designs, renewable energy sources, and sustainable construction materials, they help reduce carbon emissions, which is central to ESG goals.

Social Responsibility: Green building consultants also influence the "S" in ESG by improving indoor environmental quality ensuring building occupants' health and well-being. Buildings designed with sustainable materials and optimized energy systems create safer, more comfortable environments for employees and tenants, enhancing social responsibility.

Governance: From a governance perspective, adhering to green building standards demonstrates a company's commitment to sustainability and transparency. Green building consultants guide businesses in obtaining certifications and meeting regulatory requirements, which reflects positively on the organization's governance practices.

Conclusion

In a world where ESG goals are becoming increasingly important, Green Building Consultants are crucial in helping organizations achieve their sustainability objectives. For businesses in the UAE, partnering with a Green Building Consultancy like Agile Advisors is an intelligent move toward building a sustainable future. By doing so, they can meet regulatory requirements and gain a competitive edge, attract investors, and contribute to global sustainability efforts.

Incorporating sustainable practices into your building projects isn't just about being eco-friendly; it's about driving long-term value for the environment and your organization. As ESG standards continue to shape the business landscape, working with a green building consultant is essential to staying ahead.

[elsa16744]

What is ESG Investing? What is the Best Way to Get Started? 

ESG is the next big thing in investing. It offers real-world performance factors that help investors consider how companies impact the regional community when making investment decisions. They also develop strategic thinking to work toward sustainable development goals (SDGs). This post will discuss what matters in ESG investing and to get started. 

What Is ESG Investing? 

ESG investing means investors utilize the three types of compliance metrics of corporate impact metrics to screen the target companies’ stocks or funds. Moreover, corporations seek to attract such investments through responsible and sustainable business practices. 

If investors want data on the beneficial effect of a company’s operations on the local community, they can use ESG services. They can get reports from a data-driven survey concerning the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance standards. 

ESG audits enable informed investment decisions and portfolio management strategies. Investors can monitor whether a firm delivers its promised SDG metrics using such inspections. Likewise, consider the investors who invest their capital into the businesses that provide their employees with fair wages and respect. 

How to Get Started with ESG Investing? 

1| Specify Which Metrics Matter the Most to You 

Investors must identify the ESG metrics, like forest preservation or tax transparency, before selecting a stock or asset class. They must also consider how all metrics have a unique significance in several industries. For example, carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission risks will differ across data centers, agricultural businesses, and construction firms. 

If an organization wants to attract investors using sustainability performance, it can benefit from ESG consulting. Consultants understand the investors’ conceptualization of an ESG-first enterprise of investors and how companies can work towards improving their operations to fulfill them. 

2| Determine Realistic Goals 

Depending on the scope of the energy transition, adopting greener resources and production technologies can financially burden a business at the initial stage. So, investors, regulators, and entrepreneurs must use real-world data to estimate the progress rate of compliance improvement initiatives. 

An organization or exchange-traded fund (ETF) can fail to retain investors if the compliance milestones remain distant. Accordingly, administrators involved in regulatory policy changes that can impact an industry’s ESG dynamics must consider how long the corporate world will need to modify its operations. 

3| Mitigate Greenwashing Risks 

Companies might advertise their brand as “eco-friendly” or socially responsible. However, investors must watch out for the greenwashing attempts. Greenwashing refers to magnifying a company’s sustainability commitments with no on-ground implementation. 

An enterprise might declare it opposes discriminatory practices while showing inaction when an employee experiences workplace harassment. Another example can be an energy distributor not reducing its usage of coal and petroleum derivatives as fuel. 

Therefore, investors and fund managers must cross-verify the “green claims” that a target company makes during press releases or marketing campaigns. 

4| Get ESG Ratings Using Multiple Frameworks 

To test the legitimacy of a corporation’s SDG commitments, a rating mechanism based on multi-variate performance analytics can help in ESG investing. Today, many sustainability accounting frameworks exist. For example, the global reporting initiative (GRI) allows sectorial modules. 

Each GRI criterion addresses a family of interdependent services and products. So, an agricultural business will use a separate GRI standard, differing from the modules used in technology, finance, and manufacturing firms. 

How can investors get started with ESG score comparisons? Some online databases offer preliminary insights into how different brands and ETFs compete in this space. However, more extensive data becomes available through paid platforms or experienced consultants.  

Conclusion 

ESG criteria will empower investors to evaluate the ecological or social risks associated with how an enterprise handles its operations. Fund managers and similar financial institutions can gain a more objective outlook on stock screening using industry-relevant assistance. 

Furthermore, combating the greenwashing risks will be challenging if you are a sustainability investor, but extensive analytical models will come to your rescue. Finally, investors must refer to multiple sustainability accounting frameworks or databases to check a firm’s compliance ratings. This approach is how you get started with ESG investing. 

Nevertheless, manual inspection is time-consuming, and ESG ratings keep changing due to mergers and new projects. So, collaborating with data partners capable of automating compliance tracking, controversy analytics, and carbon credit assessments is vital.