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ESG Insider: Extreme weather threatens US utilities, coal companies' operations

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ESG Insider: Extreme weather threatens US utilities, coal companies' operations

The ESG Insider newsletter compiles news and insights on environmental, social and governance developments driving change in business and investment decisions. Subscribe to our ESG Insider newsletter, and listen to the latest ESG Insider podcast on SoundCloud, Spotify or iTunes.

Heavy rains. Record temperatures. Droughts. Tropical cyclones.

Increasingly severe weather events are forcing energy companies to assess the impacts of climate change on their businesses. Our newsletter this week explores how outdoor utility workers are handling escalating temperatures across the U.S., as shown by our Chart of the Week.

We also examine the threat that extreme weather may pose to the U.S. coal industry in the not-too-distant future. And, two Canadian oil and gas companies say they can help address climate change, but the data tells a more complicated story.

Chart of the Week

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Top Stories

Climate change driven uptick in hot days puts outdoor utility workers at risk

By midcentury, the average number of days in the U.S. with a heat index above 90 degrees is expected to rise to 127 per year, according to a report from the Union of Concerned Scientists. That is putting outdoor utility workers — and their employers' projects — at risk as they face more frequent heat-related illnesses.

Severe weather impacts highlight coal's own susceptibility to climate change

While the U.S. coal industry is commonly linked with climate change, the sector is also under threat from the extreme weather events that coincide with higher global temperatures. Tropical cyclones, droughts and heavy rains can impact coal companies' supply chains and workers.

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Canadian oil companies claim their products can help tackle climate change

Cenovus Energy Inc. and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. recently suggested their products should play a part in tackling climate change because they produce fewer emissions than the global industry average. But data from Trucost, an S&P Global Market Intelligence offering, suggests otherwise.

Environmental

Blockchain supply tracking could set miners apart from peers on ESG issues

Electric, gas utilities expand tool to help investors compare ESG initiatives

NC lawmakers point to environmental concerns with MVP Southgate expansion

Marriott International to expand single-use-bottle reduction program

Social

J&J to appeal $572M verdict in Oklahoma opioid case

Lloyds Banking Group launches service to help financial, domestic abuse victims

Realogy unit Cartus to launch military rewards program

Governance

BlackRock urges CEOs to not stretch themselves too thin

GAMCO still weighing options for potential challenge of Viacom/CBS terms

ESG Indexes

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Questions or suggestions? Contact S&P Global Market Intelligence's ESG News team at ESGNews@spglobal.com.