Best MSCI ESG Research LLC Podcasts (2024)

1
The Cost of Missing Sustainability Targets 16:33

23m ago16:33

16:33

It’s early days for sustainability-linked bonds, where issuers see their interest rates rise after missing sustainability targets. But instead of throwing in the towel after some initial setbacks, we talk about companies that have doubled down on their sustainability commitments. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Guilherme de Melo Silv…

1
Does Governance Matter? 12:49

1h ago12:49

12:49

Good governance is foundational to effective capital markets, promoting accountability, transparency and sound decision-making aligned with investor interests. But how do those potential benefits translate into market performance? Well today, we answer that question for you! We answer the question: does governance even matter. If you want to read t…

1
Sustainability and the Cost of Capital 17:08

9d ago17:08

17:08

Data from over 4,000 issuers, spanning nearly a decade revealed that companies with better MSCI ESG Ratings tended to have a lower cost of capital. It’s big news for investors and another step towards understanding the relationship between sustainability and financial performance. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Jakub Malich & Anett…

1
How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Nuclear Energy 20:08

16d ago20:08

20:08

Our demand for electricity is growing for the first time in decades. Nuclear energy is being proffered as the answer to our voracious energy-appetites. But are investors capable of propping up an industry with so much complexity and risk? This episode provides an answer. Host: Michael Disabato, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Elchin Mammadov, MSCI ESG Res…

1
What is Impact Materiality? 15:22

30d ago15:22

15:22

What is impact materiality, you ask? And how is it different from financial materiality? A fine and important question, listener! In this episode we take you through all the details you need to parse through the most important sustainability-jargon out there. Including, an explanation of the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, or the…

1
Carbon Footprinting Demystified 16:47

1M ago16:47

16:47

When it comes to climate altering carbon emissions, investors, like asset managers and banks, used to only measure their direct carbon emissions from their buildings and purchased electricity. But now, they are being asked by regulators, stakeholders, and clients to report on the emissions associated with their investment portfolios – a much more c…

1
A Cheat Sheet on Climate Funds 14:29

1M ago14:29

14:29

They may not be new, but climate funds have recently hit their stride. From managing transition risk, to targeting technology opportunities, to aligning with the Paris agreement – these funds come in all shapes and sizes and with pretty diverse objectives. On this episode we catch you up on where climate funds stand today, and how differently they’…

1
Stop! In The Name Of Sustainability Funds (i.e., ESMA’s New Guidelines) 27:05

2M ago27:05

27:05

Maybe a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but that’s not going to fly for sustainability funds in the EU. On this episode we break down ESMA’s latest fund guidelines and discuss their place in a regulatory landscape with all kinds of moving pieces. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Meggin Eastman & Simone Ruiz-Vergote, MSCI…

1
Can Airlines Go Green? 19:58

2M ago19:58

19:58

Airlines are part of a hard to abate industry for a reason as there is not one straightforward path to decarbonization. In this episode, we discuss the options that airlines have to reduce their direct emissions in the coming decades – and we tell you which ones are more likely to be more viable. Host: Gabriela de la Serna, MSCI ESG Research Guest:…

1
Spirits of Change: Alcohol in a Dry World 13:57

2M ago13:57

13:57

Alcoholic beverage companies are trying to navigate through a changing world, one where tastes are evolving, and resources are getting scarcer. In this episode, delve into the significant challenges and innovative strategies the alcoholic beverage industry is employing to combat this shift in drinking trends. Host: Michael Disabato, MSCI ESG Resear…

1
AI is Diagnosing and Texas is Burning 17:08

3M ago17:08

17:08

Everyone is talking about AI, but on today’s episode we focus on the technology’s potential to disrupt health care. Then, we switch things up to look at how wildfires are exacerbating physical, legal and financial risks for electric utilities in the U.S. Host: Gabriela de la Serna, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Namita Nair & Mathew Lee, MSCI ESG Resear…

1
Pondering Peak Emissions in China 20:49

3M ago20:49

20:49

Coal still makes up a big cut of China’s energy mix. But the country’s growth in renewables is undeniable. As climate targets are laid down and climate change accelerates, figuring out China’s emissions trajectory is tricky. And that’s OK – we love a tricky discussion. Host: SK Kim, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Cody Dong & Siyao He, MSCI ESG Research…

1
Does Your Board Need a Climate Superstar? 16:25

4M ago16:25

16:25

For some investors, having a climate-savvy director on a company’s board may seem like a non-negotiable. But data from some of the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters shows that successful climate governance is complex and may require more than pinning all your hopes on a climate superstar. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Florian…

1
Children are still in the Cocoa Field 22:25

4M ago22:25

22:25

This week we provide an update to our March 2022 episode titled Children in the Cocoa Field that explored the growing problem of child labor in cocoa harvesting. And the attempt by Nestlé to use money and enhanced mapping technology to combat its prevalence. It sounds bleak, but it was a great story about how technology is allowing for better trans…

1
Unwrapping the Green Claims of Plastic Packaging 21:00

4M ago21:00

21:00

Plastic is an inescapable reality of the modern world. But trading off its convenience and versatility for environmental and health impacts is getting harder. Companies that make or rely on plastic are being pushed to improve recyclability and reuse. And as tempting as it is to believe everything you read on a label, it looks like the road to a gen…

1
The SEC Tests out the Climate 19:16

4M ago19:16

19:16

The SEC’s climate disclosure rule is finally here. It’s been a journey, one akin to a film drama full of plot twists, cliff hangers and edge of the seat moments. So in honor of the drama, this week we do a film review of sorts on this wide reaching regulation - going into the plot, the actors involved, and how the industry is likely to be affected …

1
Women on Boards and Beyond! 19:02

4M ago19:02

19:02

We have been reporting on board’s gender diversity since 2009, and while progress has undoubtedly been made, the road ahead is still long. Linda-Eling Lee from MSCI’s Sustainability Institute tells us why we started compiling this report in the first place, and how it has managed to remain relevant in 2024. Then, our colleague Christina Milhomem te…

1
ExxonMobil's Legal Parry 15:10

5M ago15:10

15:10

ExxonMobil filed a legal complaint against two of its own shareholders, who were hoping to put a climate-related proposal to a vote at the company’s upcoming AGM. We discuss why it’s a decision that could have consequences for the wider shareholder community and the companies they invest in. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Harlan Tuf…

1
The Luxury of Love 15:58

5M ago15:58

15:58

Valentines day is replete with marketing by luxury brands attempting to capture the eyes of anxious lovers wanting to do right by their partners during the holiday. But what can you know about the product you’re buying from a luxury company? Can you know where its raw materials are sourced? Or where that material is produced? And who’re running the…

1
Cyber Catastrophe Bonds... Wait, What? 16:58

5M ago16:58

16:58

The stakes on data protection and privacy are only getting higher. Hacks, breaches and data leaks are becoming bugbears of the modern corporate world. Insurers offer products for cyber-related incidents, but in a complex, evolving risk landscape, there are a lot of asterisks. We take a look at the current cyber insurance market, and how insurers ar…

1
The Audit World on Fire 13:16

6M ago13:16

13:16

Audit firms have been under scrutiny lately after scandal and concern have led some to worry the vital industry is in trouble. But to understand whether fears around an auditor are credible, one must understand how to assess auditor quality. In this episode, we teach you how to assess an audit firm, and answer the question that some are posing: is …

1
Going on a Boeing? 24:52

6M ago24:52

24:52

One door plug blowout, one emergency landing and zero injuries. For Boeing, quality checks and tailored governance structures aren’t adding up to a great safety record. But looking at the underlying ESG data might shed light on where things might be going wrong. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Mike Disabato & Harlan Tufford, MSCI ES…

1
Biodiversity 101 15:27

6M ago15:27

15:27

Biodiversity is everywhere from food production to pharmaceutical drugs, so the biodiversity crisis puts both society and the global economy at risk. And while it is like the climate crisis in its cause, there are complexities and measurement difficulties that make the biodiversity crisis a distinct problem for investors to address compared to the …

1
Carbon Credits in 2024 28:48

6M ago28:48

28:48

The carbon markets have been a provider of hope and despair in the fight against carbon emissions. In 2023, there were concerns around whether the carbon credits being sold actually abated the amount of carbon they claimed to. Yet the market still has promise and changes are being made to the methodologies of carbon credit assessment organizations …

1
The Sustainability and Climate Trends to Watch for 2024 26:17

7M ago26:17

26:17

We think 2024 is going to be a big year! From extreme heat hitting home and work, to the frothy wonderland of AI bumping against data privacy risks and scarce talent, to the role that private capital is going to play in the climate transition, and so much more. Join us as we take a sneak peek at next year's sustainability and climate trends. Host: …

1
Utilities Lean into Adaptation Bonds 15:13

8M ago15:13

15:13

As extreme weather events become more prevalent, the utilities sector is on the front lines. From investing in microgrids to burying transmission lines, there are ways to help climate-proof infrastructure. But funding is key, and it looks like the green bond market is a good a place to start. Host: Margarita Grabert, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Meghna…

1
On the Ground at COP 28 17:04

8M ago17:04

17:04

We are on the ground at COP 28!! Right now, in the UAE, most of the world’s power brokers are gathered to talk about the climate emergency, the world’s plans for lowering emissions, and everything in between. For this episode, we interviewed our Global Head of Climate Research, Oliver Marchand, who is at COP 28 - meeting folks and having talks. He …

1
(Bottled) Water, Water Everywhere 22:01

8M ago22:01

22:01

We’re thirsty, y’all! In a year, we drink 350 billion liters of bottled water, most of it from plastic. But it’s a product with a hefty environmental footprint, and big climate risks. We take a look at what might lie ahead for companies and investors. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Cole Martin, MSCI ESG Research…

1
The Future for Oil and Gas Producers 15:05

9M ago15:05

15:05

Some say oil demand is soon to peak. Well, if that is true, why are some oil and gas producers growing their reserves? If there is uncertainty on how oil will perform in the future, how are oil and gas companies positioning themselves amid an ambiguous low-carbon transition? We try to answer these questions on this episode of ESG now. Host: Mike Di…

1
The Retail's Doctor Will See You Now 15:49

9M ago15:49

15:49

You trust a retail store to be convenient. You can walk in and get basically anything you need - be it food, clothes, face wash, batteries...whatever. Retail companies have built their brands on that convenience and affordability factor. But would you trust a retail company to be your healthcare provider? Well they are betting on that - Amazon, Wal…

1
The Five Stories of ESG: A Recap Episode 19:17

9M ago19:17

19:17

This week, we are returning to five stories we have already covered to see what progress has been made (if any!): The Adani Group and its attempt to address a short seller report that questioned the group’s governance that led to a massive loss in market share; the United Auto Workers strikes and the continued struggle in the auto industry; the Inf…

1
An Homage to Claudia Goldin (Gender Pay Gap) 23:46

9M ago23:46

23:46

The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded on Monday to Claudia Goldin, a Harvard professor, for her work to advance the world’s understanding of women in the work force. She made history by being the first woman to win the award solo rather than sharing in the prize. To honor her achievement, we discussed our own gender pay gap rese…

1
California Dreamin’ About Climate Disclosures 23:28

10M ago23:28

23:28

With Governor Newsom poised to sign two new climate reporting bills into law, we look at what’s in them, why they matter, and why everyone is suddenly making a fuss about Scope 3 emissions. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Zohir Uddin & David Bokern, MSCI ESG Research

1
Tilting at Wind Turbines 17:50

10M ago17:50

17:50

Despite growing demand for clean energy, price parity with fossil fuels and friendly policies, renewable energy companies are facing some tough headwinds. We take a look at why that's happening and what Orsted's no good, very bad August can tell us about the rest of the industry. Host: Margarita Grabert, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Elchin Mammadov, MS…

1
United Auto Workers of ESG 14:27

10M ago14:27

14:27

The demands made by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to the big three auto companies in the US are varied and touch on every part of ESG. But what may loom largest is the ongoing transition to electric vehicles that will change how a massive industry operates and employs its millions of workers. We discussed what the strikes mean for the future of the…

1
El Nino Arrives and Debt Thrives 17:30

10M ago17:30

17:30

We have likely entered in to an El Nino season as of June 2023. El Nino forms and then eventually dissipates as trade winds that blow to the south of the equator shift and impact the flow of the ocean below them. This means the world gets hotter, even hotter than the record heat we have already seen (which is tough to hear). In this episode, we dis…

1
Textile Waste and Travelling Skirts 17:50

11M ago17:50

17:50

With fashion brands now producing 52 “micro seasons” a year, more and more clothing is being unsold or discarded. And recycling clothing is more difficult than you may think. As the EU looks to increase accountability for post-consumer waste, we take a look at what it could mean for clothing companies and their investors. Host: Gabriela de la Serna…

1
Is European Sustainable Finance Green? 11:18

11M ago11:18

11:18

The EU has set up a number of regulations to define what is and is not environmentally sustainable. Part of those regulations touch investment funds as most assets under management in Europe (~EUR 7 trillion out of EUR 12 trillion) are invested in ESG funds or strategies with some sustainability-related focus. Is this episode we look at what the ef…

1
There's AI in My Boardroom 18:43

11M ago18:43

18:43

Artificial intelligence is rolling out in a big way across different industries and sectors. With much to lose and much to gain from this new trend, investors will be looking to boards that ask good questions and get good answers – even if that means letting AI into the boardroom. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Tanya Matanda & Harl…

1
The Fight Between Food and Forests 17:30

12M ago17:30

17:30

Commodities like palm oil, beef and cocoa are intertwined with deforestation. The EU wants to change this. We talk about the bloc’s latest law and how it’s going to ask food companies to take supply chain due diligence and traceability to a whole new level. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Cole Martin, MSCI ESG Research [Cole Martin w…

1
A Turbulent Plan for Green Aviation 20:57

12M ago20:57

20:57

Airlines have been offering customers with the option to purchase carbon credits or to support sustainable aviation fuel as they are buying a plane ticket. The airlines claim in doing so, the customer can lower the emissions of their trip and thereby lessen its impact on climate change. Sounds great! But, is that true? Are your emissions really low…

1
Big Tech is Knock Knock Knockin’ on the GDPR’s Door 17:50

1y ago17:50

17:50

User privacy on internet platforms is sliding higher up the “to do” list of the EU’s regulators. Five years after a trailblazing law was passed – the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – we’re starting to see its enforcement moving up a notch. For big tech companies that rely on personalized advertising, like Meta and Alphabet, their future …

1
It’s too Damn Hot for Investors 16:16

1y ago16:16

16:16

Our planet’s hottest days on record were recorded July 3 to July 5. Global average temperatures rose to a new high of 62.9 Fahrenheit. And even as the days get less sweltering, we all seem to be collectively looking around wondering what might happen next month. It is a collective fear that doesn’t seem to have rattled the market. Even so, today we…

1
The EU Wants Companies To Care More About Human Rights 17:37

1y ago17:37

17:37

The EU is ironing out the final details of its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. We look at what it could mean for how companies identify, mitigate and report on their impacts on human rights. It’s a pioneering step that not only stands to affect European companies, but global ones that earn revenue in the EU market. Host: Bentley K…

1
Are Shareholders Turning Against ESG? 16:40

1y ago16:40

16:40

Part of proxy season is over, so we take a look at the landscape of shareholder proposals. And it is well known for to those who are closely watching shareholder proposals that ESG proposals have pretty much plummeted this year vs. last year and previous years – but why is that? Are ESG shareholder proposals losing steam and momentum? Or is that ma…

1
Semiconductors aren't green?! 14:19

1y ago14:19

14:19

Semiconductors are used in ev-er-y-thing. But semiconductor manufacturers have a high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions footprint. Since they are so ubiquitous in our economy, will they get a free pass and not be pressured to lower their GHG emissions? Or will the expanding industry be pushed to lower their emissions a la the oil and gas industry? The…

1
California Gets Harder To Insure and the NZIA Gets Smaller 22:02

1y ago22:02

22:02

Under pressure from wildfires and inflation, State Farm has stopped issuing new homeowner policies in California. We get to the bottom of how physical climate hazards may change the future shape of the insurance industry. And then we ask why the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance is a little different from the other alliances that fall under the GFANZ. Ho…

1
Green Buildings: Beam Me Up! 13:13

1y ago13:13

13:13

There are a number of looming carbon emission regulations set to hit the commercial real estate sector in the coming years. These regulations would require building managers to retrofit their asset’s with emissions reducing technology else face hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of fines. We discuss what these regulations mean for the long-term…

1
Tracking our climate goals and next steps 16:03

1y ago16:03

16:03

Are you aware of how much progress we are making on addressing climate change? There are all-these-pledges and all-these-plans made by companies, but have those plans been useful? Are they actually making progress on cutting emissions or are they just saying, “yeah we care about it, and we will do….something.” And what are those “somethings?” Are t…

1
BNP’s “Duty of Care” and a Lonely Start for Germany’s Female Execs 20:56

1y ago20:56

20:56

NGOs have filed a lawsuit against BNP Paribas, arguing that bank has failed in its “Duty of Care”, under French law. As climate-related litigation escalates, we take a closer look at BNP’s financed emissions. And then, lawmakers have mandated the inclusion of female executives on the management boards of large German companies. We look at how thing…

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