#esg financing

[vivekguptahal]

Data-Driven ESG Compliance: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices

In the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action, concerns arose about potential challenges to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies. However, ESG isn’t just political; it’s fundamentally good for business. Research shows a positive correlation between ESG performance and financial value creation.

At Hitachi America, Ltd. R&D, we’re actively co-creating sustainable digital solutions, committed to decarbonizing our operations and achieving global carbon neutrality in our value chain by 2050.

Despite the positive trajectory, challenges persist. Accurate ESG data is crucial, yet its availability and quality often hinder sustainable investment adoption. Regulatory concerns also loom, with worries that ESG regulations might limit business options. Additionally, smaller and minority-owned firms, while willing, struggle to incorporate ESG due to financial constraints.

To navigate these challenges, a holistic data-driven approach to ESG is essential.

Creating comprehensive audit trails around data ensures measurable ESG decisions throughout supply chains.

Standardized, globally coordinated ESG disclosure standards are vital, helping investors and stakeholders make informed decisions.

Companies must integrate ESG directly into their operations, making it a part of their core strategy.

Hitachi’s Take on ESG and Sustainability

Hitachi is actively working to facilitate the adoption of ESG practices, believing in the transformative power of sustainability. ESG-focused investments are on the rise, indicating a shifting paradigm in investment strategies. In this dynamic environment, actionable ESG practices will be instrumental, in guiding organizations toward a more sustainable future for all.

Learn how Hitachi is working to help companies make it easier to adopt and integrate ESG practices into their businesses. https://social-innovation.hitachi/en-us/think-ahead/manufacturing/actionable-esg-compliance-for-businesses/

[ophilosoraptoro]

BlackRock Recruiter Who ‘Decides People’s Fate’ Says ‘War is Good for Business' Undercover Footage

[esgdata1992]

Current ESG Trends to Watch for 2024

ESG has become more necessary than ever for businesses and investors as the world struggles with climate change, social injustice, and global health problems. If companies embrace ESG trends in 2024, they can attain a remarkable brand reputation, gain tremendous customer loyalty, and reduce risk while contributing to a more sustainable future. Apart from financial gains, investors increasingly seek investments which are in accordance with their beliefs.

The rising significance of ESG has drastically altered how businesses and investors think about sustainability. ESG factors were once widely considered “nice-to-haves” rather than essential factors in company and investment choices. Yet, as ESG has gained popularity, businesses and investors are adopting a more comprehensive strategy, integrating ESG factors into their business plans and decision-making procedures.

This post will explore the burgeoning ESG future trends likely to influence business and investing in 2024. We will look at the most recent advancements in ESG and their effects on organizations and investors, from broadening ESG criteria to using new technologies for ESG research. Companies and investors may position themselves for long-term success while helping to create a more sustainable and fair society by staying ahead of these trends.

Read our New Blog: Role of Climate Data in Assessing Portfolio Risk

ESG Trends to Follow In 2024

1- A Data-Driven Approach to ESG

The use of data by businesses and investors to assess and manage their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance has become increasingly common over the last few years. In 2024, this trend is expected to continue, with a focus on data-driven ESG initiatives across a variety of industries.

Among the major forces influencing these ESG trends in 2024 are:

The Requirement for More Accurate and Reliable ESG Data: ESG data solutions are becoming increasingly important in decision-making for investors and businesses. As a result, there is now a higher need for ESG data that is more accurate and reliable.

Technology and Data Analytics Advancements: Collecting, analyzing, and reporting ESG data is now simpler due to technological and data analytics developments. This has contributed to the shift toward an ESG strategy that is data-driven.

Stakeholder and Regulatory Pressure: Investors and organizations are under growing pressure from authorities and stakeholders to report on their ESG performance and consider ESG factors when making investment choices. This has contributed to the shift toward an ESG strategy that is data-driven.

Possibilities for Enhanced Performance and Risk Administration: Companies may discover opportunities for ESG performance improvement and enhance ESG risk management by using a data-driven approach to ESG.

2- Robust Global Frameworks Promoting Transparency

The necessity for more robust global frameworks to address environmental and social issues, including climate change, socioeconomic inequality, and human rights breaches, has become more widely acknowledged in recent years. As a result, a push for more accountability and transparency has been made in several industries, including banking, corporate governance, and supply chain management.

In 2024, this pattern is anticipated to continue as stronger international frameworks are created and implemented to address these issues. Among the major forces influencing these trends in ESG are:

Greater Understanding of Social and Environmental Risks: The risks to the environment and society that the world is experiencing, such as socioeconomic inequality, climate change, and human rights breaches, are becoming more widely understood. There is a higher need for accountability and transparency to address these concerns.

Putting More Emphasis on ESG Factors: Investors have begun considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions as they attempt to control risk and achieve sustainability over the long term. This has provided the impetus for more transparency and sharing of data relating to ESG.

Encourages Greater Corporate Accountability: Companies are under more and more pressure to take accountability for their social and environmental repercussions and to be open and honest about their performance. This has prompted calls for increased accountability and transparency in supply chain management and corporate governance.

The Development of Global Standards and Regulations: Global standards and frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, are becoming increasingly necessary to solve environmental and social concerns. In addressing these challenges, these frameworks offer a foundation for increased accountability and transparency.

Explore more: Biodiversity: The Hidden Threat to Investors

3- A Strong Push for Impact Investing

Most investors are looking to match their investments with their beliefs and social or environmental objectives, which has given rise to the movement known as impact investing. Impact investing is investing in businesses, nonprofits, or funds to achieve a measurable social or environmental effect.

As investors become more conscious of the environmental and social concerns confronting the world and strive to utilize their assets to make a positive change, impact investing has gained popularity in recent years. With a strong push for impact investment across various industries and asset classes, this ESG market trend is anticipated to continue in 2024.

Among the major forces influencing this trend are:

Growing Demand for Ethical and Sustainable Investing Choices: Investors are looking for possibilities to make investments consistent with their morals and environmental or social objectives. As a result, there is an increase in demand for ethical and sustainable investing solutions, such as impact investments.

Increasing Understanding of the Global, Social, and Environmental Concerns: The urgency of addressing global issues, including social injustice, climate change, and access to healthcare and education, is becoming more widely acknowledged. Impact investing offers a method for investors to support these initiatives while also earning profit.

Enhancing the Availability of Impact Investing Options: The variety of impact investment choices accessible to investors has increased as impact investing has grown in popularity. Among them are impacted funds, green bonds, and other investment options focusing on the social factor.

Possibility of Substantial Financial Gains: Impact investment has been proven to offer the potential for high financial returns, particularly over the long term. This has made drawing investors from a broader spectrum easier for the area.

Read More: Uncovering Hidden Risks: The Role of Value Chain Assessment in Modern Investing

4- Approaching Net-Zero Holistically:

It is becoming more apparent that a holistic strategy is required to solve the complex challenges of decarbonization as businesses and governments commit themselves to reach net-zero emissions. With this strategy, the social, economic, and environmental effects of emissions reduction initiatives are considered together with the complete lifecycle of emissions, from production through end-of-life disposal.

A comprehensive approach to this trend in ESG requires a variety of techniques and initiatives, including

Switching To Renewable Energy: Moving away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal is crucial for attaining net-zero emissions. This can entail investing in infrastructure for renewable energy sources and putting regulations into place to encourage the switch to clean energy.

Decarbonizing Supply Chains: Reducing emissions across the whole supply chain is necessary to achieve net-zero emissions and decrease emissions from direct activities. This may entail collaborating with suppliers to increase sustainability standards and minimize emissions, as well as considering the carbon footprint of raw materials and transportation.

Putting in Place Carbon Trading and Pricing Mechanisms: Carbon pricing tools like carbon taxes or cap-and-trade programs can encourage businesses to invest in greener technology and promote emissions reduction.

Promoting the Circular Economy’s Principles: Reducing waste and recycling or reusing materials are critical components of a circular economy strategy to reduce production and consumption’s adverse environmental effects. Implementing policies to encourage circularity and revamping goods and processes to be more circular might be part of this.

Investment in Carbon Removal Technologies: The employment of carbon removal technologies, such as direct air capture or carbon sequestration to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, may be necessary to reach net-zero emissions.

Explore More: ESG Contriversies Screening

5- Advancing Sustainability Through 5G

The introduction of 5G technology has the potential to improve sustainability initiatives in various ways. The most recent cellular network technology, 5G, provides faster speeds, reduced latency, and more capacity than earlier generations. These ESG technological trends may significantly affect sustainability in the following

Reducing Carbon Emissions and Enabling Remote Work: By enabling more widespread remote work, 5G technology can reduce everyday commuting and the corresponding carbon emissions. Also, this may aid in easing traffic congestion and enhancing urban air quality.

Enabling Smart Cities and Minimizing Resource Usage: Smart cities employ real-time data to optimize resource usage and lower waste, and 5G technology can help make this possible. Smart waste management systems, for instance, have potential to reduce the quantity of garbage dumped in landfills while reducing pollutants and traffic congestion.

Facilitating Precision Farming and Minimizing Environmental Effect: Precision agriculture, which uses real-time data to enhance agricultural yields and lessen environmental impact, can also be made possible by 5G technology. Farmers may maximize their use of water, fertilizer, and other resources, eliminating waste and having a minimal environmental impact, by employing sensors and other IoT devices connected via 5G networks.

Promoting Renewable Energy While Decreasing Reliance on Fossil Fuels: By facilitating the grid integration of more renewable sources, 5G technology can aid in the transition to renewable energy. To increase solar and wind power usage, 5G networks, for instance, can enable more effective energy storage and delivery.

Accelerating Communication and Computation: The use of 5G ensures faster communication, computation and analysis of ESG data and news, promoting up-to-date ratings and assessments as well as documentation of significant developments.

Explorer More: ESG Active Ownership 

In Conclusion,

we anticipate several new ESG trends to emerge in 2024 that will influence how businesses and investors tackle environmental, social, and governance challenges. These trends include the expansion of ESG criteria, a stronger emphasis on social issues, the inclusion of ESG in investment decisions, the advancement of sustainability through 5G, a comprehensive approach to net-zero, a strong push for impact investing, more robust international frameworks with an emphasis on transparency, and a path to ESG that is data-driven.

To stay on top of the game, companies and investors must adapt and respond as these emerging ESG trends change. They may benefit from Inrate’s ESG consulting by learning to manage these developments and creating efficient plans for handling ESG opportunities and risks. With over 30 years of experience in ESG consulting and sustainable financing, Inrate offers indispensable expertise when it comes to professional advice on ESG-related matters.

ESG factors will undoubtedly become more significant in decision-making as we progress toward a more sustainable future in various industries. Companies and investors may position themselves for long-term success and sustainability by keeping up with new ESG trends and collaborating with experienced ESG consultants like Inrate.

[rasiooid]

BRI Dorong Ekonomi Hijau dengan Pembiayaan Berkelanjutan Capai Rp764,8 Triliun

  RASIOO.id– PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk atau BRI menunjukkan komitmen serius dalam mendukung ekonomi berkelanjutan di Indonesia. Hingga akhir Triwulan III 2024, portofolio pembiayaan berkelanjutan BRI mencapai Rp764,8 triliun, atau setara dengan 61,9% dari total kredit dan investasi bond yang disalurkan. Direktur Kepatuhan BRI, Ahmad Solichin Lutfiyanto, menyatakan bahwa capaian ini…

[pier-carlo-universe]

COP16: La Finanza e la Biodiversità – L’Impegno Globale per il Futuro del Pianeta. A Cali, la COP16 riunisce 196 Paesi per fermare la perdita di biodiversità entro il 2030

Dal 21 ottobre al 1° novembre 2024, Cali, in Colombia, ospita la COP16, la Conferenza Internazionale sulla Biodiversità, con il tema “Fare Pace con la Natura”.

Dal 21 ottobre al 1° novembre 2024, Cali, in Colombia, ospita la COP16, la Conferenza Internazionale sulla Biodiversità, con il tema “Fare Pace con la Natura”. Questo vertice rappresenta un’opportunità per valutare i progressi del Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adottato alla COP15, che mira a conservare il 30% delle aree terrestri e marine entro il 2030. Ad oggi, solo il 17,6% delle terre e…

[venturefactore]

Sustainable Investment: How ESG is Reshaping Global Finance

Explore how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are transforming global finance. Learn how sustainable investment strategies are driving long-term growth and redefining financial markets. Discover the impact ESG has on investors and businesses today. Read more on Venture FactorE.

[counselor-nico]

Gethsemane Enertech ERP Solution: Revolutionizing Energy Efficiency through AI, IoT & Data Science

Overview of Energy Efficiency in Ghana and Africa Energy efficiency is increasingly becoming a focal point in the energy sector, particularly in developing regions like Ghana and Africa, where energy demand is growing rapidly due to economic expansion and population growth. In these regions, energy efficiency is not just about reducing costs but also about enhancing energy security, reducing…

[scottbiffin]

Investment Strategies for a Changing Market: Insights for 2024 and Beyond

As we venture into 2024, the global investment landscape is marked by rapid technological advancements, evolving geopolitical dynamics, and shifting economic paradigms. The post-pandemic recovery, inflationary pressures, interest rate fluctuations, and the ongoing digital revolution are shaping the financial markets in unprecedented ways. For investors, this dynamic environment presents both challenges and opportunities. To navigate this changing market successfully, it is crucial to adopt adaptable and forward-thinking investment strategies. In this blog post, we will explore key insights and strategies that can help investors thrive in 2024 and beyond.

1. Diversification: The Cornerstone of Risk Management

Diversification remains a fundamental principle of sound investing, particularly in an uncertain market environment. By spreading investments across different asset classes, sectors, and geographic regions, investors can reduce their exposure to specific risks and enhance the stability of their portfolios.

a. Asset Class Diversification

In 2024, traditional asset classes such as equities, bonds, and real estate continue to play a crucial role in portfolio construction. However, the inclusion of alternative investments—such as commodities, private equity, and cryptocurrencies—can provide additional diversification benefits. Commodities, for instance, often perform well during inflationary periods, while private equity offers exposure to high-growth companies not available in public markets. Cryptocurrencies, despite their volatility, can offer high returns and serve as a hedge against traditional financial systems.

b. Geographic Diversification

Globalization has made it easier for investors to access markets worldwide. In the current economic climate, emerging markets in Asia, Latin America, and Africa offer attractive growth prospects. These regions are experiencing rapid economic development, driven by demographic trends, technological adoption, and increasing consumer demand. By investing in these markets, investors can tap into high-growth opportunities while mitigating the risks associated with any single economy.

c. Sector Diversification

The economic landscape is constantly evolving, and different sectors perform differently depending on the macroeconomic environment. For instance, technology and healthcare sectors have shown resilience during economic downturns, while energy and industrial sectors tend to perform well during periods of economic expansion. In 2024, sectors like renewable energy, biotechnology, and cybersecurity are expected to experience significant growth, driven by technological advancements and societal shifts. By diversifying across sectors, investors can capture growth opportunities while managing sector-specific risks.

2. Embracing Technological Innovation

Technological innovation continues to be a major driver of economic growth and market performance. The rise of artificial intelligence, automation, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming industries and creating new investment opportunities.

a. Investing in Tech Giants and Innovators

Tech giants such as Apple, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have become integral to the global economy, and their dominance is expected to continue in 2024. These companies are leaders in innovation, with extensive research and development capabilities that enable them to stay ahead of competitors. In addition to these established players, investors should also consider smaller, high-growth companies at the forefront of technological advancements. Startups in fields like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy offer significant growth potential, albeit with higher risk.

b. Leveraging Fintech and Digital Finance

The financial industry is undergoing a digital transformation, driven by fintech innovations such as digital payments, robo-advisors, and blockchain technology. These innovations are making financial services more accessible, efficient, and secure. In 2024, fintech companies are likely to continue disrupting traditional financial institutions, offering investors lucrative opportunities. Additionally, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, which use blockchain technology to offer financial services without intermediaries, presents new avenues for investment.

c. Capitalizing on the Metaverse and Virtual Reality

The concept of the metaverse—a virtual world where people interact, work, and play—is gaining traction, with major companies investing heavily in its development. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are expected to play a crucial role in the metaverse, creating new investment opportunities in entertainment, gaming, real estate, and even digital art. While still in its early stages, the metaverse represents a long-term growth area for investors willing to take on higher risk for potentially high rewards.

3. Sustainable and Impact Investing

As concerns about climate change, social inequality, and corporate governance continue to grow, sustainable and impact investing is becoming increasingly important. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are now integral to the investment decision-making process for many investors.

a. Integrating ESG Criteria

In 2024, companies that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices are expected to outperform their peers, as consumers, regulators, and investors demand greater accountability. By integrating ESG criteria into their investment strategies, investors can identify companies that are well-positioned for long-term success. For instance, companies with strong environmental practices may be better prepared to navigate regulatory changes related to climate change, while those with good governance structures are likely to manage risks more effectively.

b. Focusing on Green Energy and Climate Solutions

The transition to a low-carbon economy is accelerating, driven by government policies, technological advancements, and changing consumer preferences. Investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean technologies are expected to see significant growth in 2024 and beyond. Companies involved in the production of solar, wind, and hydrogen energy, as well as those developing electric vehicles and energy storage solutions, offer compelling investment opportunities. Additionally, investors should consider companies that are working to mitigate climate risks, such as those involved in carbon capture and climate resilience projects.

c. Supporting Social Impact Initiatives

Impact investing, which seeks to generate positive social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns, is gaining traction among investors. In 2024, areas such as affordable housing, education, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture are expected to attract significant investment. By supporting companies and projects that address pressing social challenges, investors can contribute to societal progress while achieving financial returns.

4. Adapting to Economic and Geopolitical Shifts

The global economy is constantly influenced by a range of factors, including inflation, interest rates, fiscal policies, and geopolitical events. To succeed in this environment, investors must be agile and responsive to changing conditions.

a. Navigating Inflation and Interest Rate Risks

Inflationary pressures and interest rate hikes are expected to continue in 2024, presenting challenges for fixed-income investments and consumer spending. To mitigate these risks, investors should consider inflation-linked bonds, real assets such as real estate and commodities, and dividend-paying stocks. Additionally, floating-rate bonds, which adjust their interest payments based on changes in interest rates, can offer protection against rising rates.

b. Monitoring Geopolitical Developments

Geopolitical events, such as trade tensions, conflicts, and regulatory changes, can have significant impacts on financial markets. In 2024, investors should closely monitor developments in major economies such as the United States, China, and the European Union. Trade relations, especially between the U.S. and China, will continue to influence global supply chains and market sentiment. Additionally, political instability in emerging markets could create both risks and opportunities for investors. To manage geopolitical risks, investors should consider diversifying their portfolios across regions and sectors, as well as staying informed about global events.

c. Hedging with Safe-Haven Assets

In times of economic uncertainty, safe-haven assets such as gold, government bonds, and the U.S. dollar tend to perform well. These assets provide stability and protection against market downturns. In 2024, gold is expected to remain a popular hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. Similarly, U.S. Treasuries and other high-quality government bonds can offer safety and income in a volatile market. Investors should consider allocating a portion of their portfolios to these safe-haven assets to balance risk and reward.

5. Active vs. Passive Investing: Striking the Right Balance

The debate between active and passive investing continues to be relevant in 2024. While passive investing, through index funds and ETFs, offers low-cost exposure to broad markets, active investing allows for more targeted strategies and the potential for higher returns.

a. Benefits of Passive Investing

Passive investing is a popular strategy for its simplicity, low costs, and consistent performance. By tracking market indexes, passive funds provide broad diversification and reduce the risk of underperforming the market. In a changing market, where predicting short-term movements can be challenging, passive investing offers a reliable way to capture overall market growth. For long-term investors, a core portfolio of passive funds can provide steady returns with minimal effort.

b. Opportunities in Active Investing

Active investing, on the other hand, involves selecting individual stocks, bonds, or funds based on research and market analysis. In a rapidly changing market, active managers can capitalize on opportunities and avoid potential pitfalls that passive funds might miss. For instance, active investors can target undervalued companies, emerging sectors, or regions with strong growth potential. Additionally, active strategies can be tailored to specific investment goals, such as income generation or capital preservation.

c. Combining Active and Passive Approaches

For many investors, a combination of active and passive strategies offers the best of both worlds. By maintaining a core portfolio of passive investments and supplementing it with active strategies, investors can achieve diversification, reduce costs, and enhance returns. For example, an investor might use index funds to gain broad market exposure while actively selecting individual stocks in high-growth sectors or emerging markets. This balanced approach allows investors to adapt to changing market conditions while staying aligned with their long-term objectives.

6. Long-Term Perspective: Staying Focused on Goals

Amidst market fluctuations and economic uncertainty, it is essential for investors to maintain a long-term perspective. Short-term market movements can be unpredictable, and reacting to them impulsively can lead to suboptimal investment decisions.

a. Staying Disciplined During Market Volatility

Market volatility is inevitable, especially in a rapidly changing environment. Investors should avoid making emotional decisions based on short-term market movements. Instead, they should stay disciplined and focused on their long-term investment goals. A well-diversified portfolio, aligned with the investor’s risk tolerance and time horizon, can help weather market turbulence and achieve steady growth over time.

b. Regular Portfolio Review and Rebalancing

Regularly reviewing and rebalancing the portfolio is crucial to ensure that it remains aligned with the investor’s goals and risk tolerance. Market changes can cause the portfolio’s asset allocation to drift away from its target mix. Rebalancing involves selling overperforming assets and buying underperforming ones to restore the desired allocation. This disciplined approach helps manage risk and keeps the portfolio on track to achieve long-term objectives.

c. Adapting to Life Changes

Investors’ financial goals and risk tolerance can change over time due to life events such as retirement, marriage, or the birth of a child. It is important to adapt the investment strategy to reflect these changes. For example, as investors approach retirement, they may want to shift towards more conservative investments to preserve capital and generate income. Conversely, younger investors with a longer time horizon may opt for more aggressive growth strategies. By regularly reassessing their investment goals and adjusting their strategies accordingly, investors can stay aligned with their evolving needs.

As we navigate the complexities of 2024 and beyond, the investment landscape will continue to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities. By adopting a diversified, forward-thinking approach, embracing technological innovations, integrating ESG criteria, and staying responsive to economic and geopolitical shifts, investors can position themselves for success in a changing market. Whether through active or passive strategies, the key to long-term success lies in maintaining a disciplined, goal-oriented approach and staying focused on the big picture. With the right strategies in place, investors can confidently navigate the uncertainties of 2024 and beyond, achieving their financial objectives while seizing new opportunities in the ever-changing world of investing.

[newecolifestyle]

Why ESG Matters in Your Investment Strategy #esg #responsibleinvesting #...

[decodingbiosphere]

The Impact of Sustainable Finance: Key Strategies and Case Studies

In the last few decades, the world has witnessed an increasing urgency to address climate change. As temperatures rise, ice caps melt, and extreme weather events become more frequent, the imperative to find solutions has never been clearer. One of the most promising strategies emerging from this crisis is sustainable finance. This approach to financial management not only seeks to generate…

[niconiconwo]

How bad is the culture war stuff that drove you from the left?

The biggest thing that has me hard nopeing is BRIDGE, essentially a DEI evangelicalism that wants to force DEI culture on everyone. Not just your typical woke shit either, it's absolutely cult level re-education or get unpersoned.

I don't like financial services pushing this shit either. On a related note is all the places that now police you off-site which should be absolutely illegal but is postured as a safety and inclusion thing. A person's behavior or speech off platform should have zero bearing on their access as long as they comply with platform rules and TOS. This part is the twitter cancel mob mentality being appeased. Numerous sites are like that now, ones I've noticed that are bigger are places like Medium and other creative spaces. I'd be fine with general bans on anything too spicy or outright hateful, but controversial speech isn't hateful and being banned off a site for something unrelated on a separate platform is bullshit.

I've never liked tokenism and always opposed affirmative action as a racist ideology. Now it's being championed as the highest morality you can act upon. Likewise is this push towards equity thing taking root in mainstream; I can agree with the idea that if you have any kind of job there is a minimum living standard you should expect to have accessible to you but I strongly disagree to the idea that the minimum effort should guarantee you a middle class or greater lifestyle. UBI is a great idea, telling employers they have to pay their cashiers enough to afford a suburban mortgage, a car, and put their kids through school is laughable. You want a high flying life, you need to do the work that gets you there. Equitable Outcome is ridiculous.

Next on the sheet is that thing the FHFA did punishing people who actually played by the stupid credit rules to get half-way decent rates in order to subsidise sub-prime loan fees (this point is debated but it's most sensible conclusion; the other one is that actual discrimination for the sake of discrimination is happening). I think the credit system is atrocious personally, so it's even more insulting that people who suck it up and play by the book honestly are paying higher fees than those who fucked around like asshats. And of course it has been done in the name of "equitable access". Why should honest folks who did everything right, especially poors who climbed up the hard way, have to pay more in fees?

This one is not new but has gotten worse, particularly in tech and more specifically in open-source development, codes of conduct that favor radical social policy over code-is-code. People being pushed out of the space purely because they disagree on political or social beliefs, just voicing dissent is enough to get you permanently blacklisted. I find tolerance to be a fine rubric myself, however this goes beyond tolerance. When you begin enforcing inclusion politics, you lose that nice "we're here to make good code" vibe purely to sate certain spastics that want to usurp power from others.

I don't want to longpost more than that, but I could probably go on. The worst part is this isn't all just some fifth column shit, it's originating out of big academia and mega-corpos as some gambit that is incredibly shady. A lot of it is smaller corpos trying to get those free DEI grant bucks, and investor class folks trying to twist the narrative to turn us all into own nothing little slaves even more than we have been. "The work", as they call it, will be your life and will follow you out of the office and you will be obligated to do "the work" forever and everywhere or risk being unpersoned and ruined. It's like a turbo woke 1984. Don't say the bad words, don't think the bad thoughts, don't feel the bad emotions. I'm not some libertarian cuck or aut-rite spastic, but god damn this shit freaks even me out.

[esgdata1992]

𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐒𝐆 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

ESG controversy screening is a very significant component of responsible investment strategies. This involves evaluating companies in terms of their engagement in negative incidents or controversies. That may likely and accordingly affect their performance of ESG. The process helps to expand the investor’s knowledge on the risk so that they can work towards making any informed choices which reflect well on the values and sustainability goals set.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐒𝐆 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐬: The first step to screen ESG in controversies is the identification of incidents that may impact a company’s reputation and financial performance. The range of incidents includes environmental disasters, violation of labor rights up to scandals in governance and unethical business practices.

𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: Not all controversies are equal. Screening of ESG controversies has to consider the severity of each incident. This may involve the size of its impact, the reaction from the company, and how it affects the stakeholders.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: ESG controversies are not static; they change with time. Continuous monitoring of companies is necessary to keep abreast of any new development or changes in their ESG profiles. This helps investors make timely portfolio adjustments.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: The outcomes of the screening on ESG controversies may have a substantial bearing on the decisions made by investors about investment or noninvestment in those companies. Investors might choose to stay away from firms that have severe levels of controversy or invest in them to encourage better practices.

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐒𝐆 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: From the ESG controversies screening, investors can reduce risks associated with reputational loss, regulatory sanctions, and even operational upsets from negative activities conducted by a business entity.

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Investors who consider problems of ESG can develop their reputation as well through sticking to a portfolio that is sustainable and responsible business enterprise.

𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: ESG controversies screening provides the investor with a complete picture of the company’s conduct, which means better information for more responsible investment decisions.

[finqfy]

Sustainable Fintech: Green Finance and Ethical Investing

As the world becomes increasingly conscious of environmental and social issues, the financial industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Sustainable finance and ethical investing are gaining momentum, driven by the need to address climate change, social inequality, and corporate governance. Fintech, with its innovative technologies and agile approach, is playing a pivotal role in supporting these trends. This blog explores how fintech is revolutionizing sustainable finance and ethical investing, and examines the broader impact of these developments on the financial industry.

The Rise of Sustainable Finance

Sustainable finance refers to financial activities that consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria to promote long-term sustainability and responsible investment. This approach aims to create value not only for investors but also for society and the environment.

Key Drivers of Sustainable Finance

Climate Change Awareness: Increasing awareness of climate change and its impacts has led to a demand for investments that support environmental sustainability.

Regulatory Pressure: Governments and regulatory bodies are implementing policies to encourage sustainable finance and penalize unsustainable practices.

Consumer Demand: Investors, especially millennials, are prioritizing ethical and sustainable investments, pushing financial institutions to adapt.

Fintech's Role in Green Finance

Fintech companies are at the forefront of the green finance revolution, leveraging technology to create innovative solutions that promote sustainability. Here are some ways fintech is driving green finance:

1. Green Bonds and Crowdfunding Platforms

Green bonds are debt instruments used to finance projects with environmental benefits. Fintech platforms are facilitating the issuance and trading of green bonds, making it easier for investors to support sustainable projects.

Example:

Neighborly: A fintech platform that connects investors with green municipal bond projects, allowing communities to fund sustainable infrastructure.

2. Digital Platforms for Ethical Investing

Fintech platforms are democratizing access to ethical investing by providing user-friendly interfaces and data-driven insights. These platforms allow investors to align their portfolios with their values.

Example:

OpenInvest: A platform that offers personalized, socially responsible investment portfolios, enabling users to invest in companies that align with their ethical values.

3. Blockchain for Transparency and Accountability

Blockchain technology enhances transparency and accountability in sustainable finance by providing immutable records of transactions and supply chains. This ensures that funds are used as intended and promotes trust among investors.

Example:

Everledger: A blockchain-based platform that tracks the provenance of diamonds and other assets, ensuring ethical sourcing and transparency.

4. AI and Big Data for ESG Analysis

Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics enable fintech companies to analyze vast amounts of data and assess the ESG performance of companies. This helps investors make informed decisions based on reliable and comprehensive information.

Example:

Arabesque S-Ray: An AI-powered tool that evaluates the sustainability performance of companies based on ESG metrics, providing insights for ethical investing.

The Impact of Ethical Investing

Ethical investing, also known as socially responsible investing (SRI), involves choosing investments based on ethical and moral criteria. This approach not only aims for financial returns but also seeks to generate positive social and environmental outcomes.

Benefits of Ethical Investing

Positive Impact: Investors can support companies and projects that contribute to societal well-being and environmental sustainability.

Risk Mitigation: Companies with strong ESG practices are often more resilient to risks, making them attractive long-term investments.

Market Growth: The growing demand for ethical investments is driving innovation and expanding market opportunities for fintech companies.

Challenges and Opportunities

While sustainable fintech presents significant opportunities, it also faces challenges that need to be addressed to realize its full potential:

1. Standardization of ESG Metrics

The lack of standardized ESG metrics makes it difficult to compare the sustainability performance of different companies. Developing common standards and frameworks is essential for consistent and reliable ESG assessment.

2. Greenwashing Concerns

Greenwashing, where companies falsely portray themselves as environmentally friendly, can undermine investor trust. Fintech companies must ensure transparency and authenticity in their sustainability claims.

3. Regulatory Compliance

Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of sustainable finance requires fintech companies to stay abreast of evolving policies and ensure compliance with international standards.

4. Technological Integration

Integrating advanced technologies like AI, blockchain, and big data analytics into traditional financial systems requires significant investment and expertise. Fintech companies need to collaborate with financial institutions to achieve seamless integration.

The Future of Sustainable Fintech

The future of sustainable fintech looks promising, with continued innovation and collaboration driving growth and impact. Here are some trends to watch:

1. Increased Adoption of Green Digital Banking

Digital banks that prioritize sustainability, such as offering eco-friendly banking products and investing in green projects, are likely to gain traction.

2. Expansion of Impact Investing

Impact investing, which seeks to generate measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns, will continue to grow, supported by fintech innovations.

3. Development of Sustainable Finance Standards

The establishment of global standards and frameworks for sustainable finance will enhance transparency and accountability, fostering greater investor confidence.

4. Integration of ESG into Mainstream Finance

As ESG considerations become integral to investment strategies, traditional financial institutions will increasingly adopt fintech solutions to support sustainable finance.

Conclusion

Sustainable fintech is transforming the financial industry by promoting green finance and ethical investing. Through innovative technologies and solutions, fintech companies are making it easier for investors to support sustainable and socially responsible initiatives. While challenges remain, the potential for positive impact is immense. By continuing to innovate and collaborate, fintech can play a crucial role in advancing sustainable finance and creating a more inclusive and equitable financial system.

[pier-carlo-universe]

Atlas Investe su Ener2Crowd per Supportare le Imprese SostenibiliLa partnership inaugura una nuova era per il crowdlending ESG con il fondo Atlas PMI Destinazione Futuro come anchor investor

Il fondo di investimento Atlas PMI Destinazione Futuro ha deciso di investire su Ener2Crowd, la piattaforma numero uno in Italia per il crowdlending green, diventando anchor investor e segnando una pietra miliare nel panorama finanziario.

Il fondo di investimento Atlas PMI Destinazione Futuro ha deciso di investire su Ener2Crowd, la piattaforma numero uno in Italia per il crowdlending green, diventando anchor investor e segnando una pietra miliare nel panorama finanziario. È la prima volta che un fondo istituzionale partecipa direttamente a campagne di crowdlending orientate ai criteri ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance),…

[bettreworld]

Stake to Shape the Future, Investing and the ESG Mandate (S01E12)