The Essential Podcast, Episode 33 : Five Years of Cautious Optimism - ESG Trends to Watch in 2021 and Beyond

About this Episode

Prior to the global pandemic, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics were enjoying a cultural moment as more companies and investors committed to including such factors in their goals and decisions. Instead of being overpowered by the immediate concerns of the pandemic, the events of 2020 reinforced how we don’t know what is immediately around the corner and brought the need to focus on ESG metrics to the fore. Now, in 2021, that lesson reinforces the view that a long-term, sustainable approach centered around strong ESG principles is more important than ever. Self-described cautious ESG optimist Martina Cheung, President of S&P Global Market Intelligence and Head of ESG for S&P Global, joins the Essential Podcast to discuss the ESG trends to watch this year.

The Essential Podcast from S&P Global is dedicated to sharing essential intelligence with those working in and affected by financial markets. Host Nathan Hunt focuses on those issues of immediate importance to global financial markets – macroeconomic trends, the credit cycle, climate risk, energy transition, and global trade – in interviews with subject matter experts from around the world.

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Show Notes

• Read Martina Cheung’s report on the seven ESG trends to watch in 2021 here. In her outlook, she anticipates: “In response to demand and regulatory drivers, the quality and quantity of ESG data will continue improving. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the new Biden administration will reinvigorate ESG policies and climate urgency. With this growing global urgency around climate, conversations about energy transition will become increasingly nuanced and the nature of transition conversations will shift from climate mitigation to climate resilience. While threats to nature and biodiversity will take centerstage in ‘E’ discussions, social issues will gain traction with investors and in global policy discussions.”