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"In the U.S. market there is a real big belief in free markets. And your survey fatigue is free markets in action."
That remark came from John Hoeppner, head of U.S. stewardship and sustainable investing for Legal & General Investment Management America Inc., during a panel in New York City last week. Hoeppner was discussing how the conversation about regulating ESG disclosures differs in the U.S. and Europe. He joined policymakers, asset owners and managers and corporate executives from around the globe for New York Sustainable Finance Week to talk about ESG and sustainable investing issues. We will share highlights from the week in an upcoming episode of the ESG Insider podcast.
Our latest podcast episode explores how private equity giants like The Blackstone Group Inc., KKR & Co. Inc. and Hamilton Lane Inc. are increasingly factoring ESG considerations into their investment decisions.
And our Chart of the Week shows the growth in global carbon dioxide emissions between 2000 and 2018. While those levels are expected to hit a new peak in 2019, a new report found that there has been a steep decline in coal-fired generation use in the U.S. and European Union.
Chart of the Week
Top Stories
Overpowered: Why a US gas-building spree continues despite electricity glut
A glut of natural gas plants in the U.S. is raising concerns that the country is locking itself into what one expert called "the new coal." This opening story of a five-part series explores the oversupply of U.S. natural gas plants and how that could complicate hopes to transition to cleaner energy sources in the near future.
Podcast: PE's approach to ESG evolving, could be mandatory in future
The biggest names in private equity are paying more attention to ESG. That could create a waterfall effect across the industry wherein ESG methodology becomes an "absolute requirement" for general partners, a managing director at Hamilton Lane told S&P Global Market Intelligence in the latest episode of the ESG Insider podcast.
Global emissions up in 2019 but at slower pace due to less coal use in US, EU
Global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to hit a new peak in 2019 but are growing at a slightly slower rate than in recent years, primarily due to a steep decline in coal-fired generation use in the U.S. and the European Union, the Global Carbon Project reported.
Environmental
Climate policy could wipe $2.3 trillion off global companies: UN-backed group
Allianz finds climate-related rules to cost industries $2.5 trillion worldwide
EU's compromise green classification agreement excludes coal, nuclear
Social
NY signs legislation to shield rent-regulated tenants from landlord harassment
European cities, companies pledge for net-zero carbon buildings
Governance
EU bank regulator to develop climate stress tests, assess green prudential rules
Financing oil and gas can be responsible banking, say banks, UN
Nasdaq launches network for sustainable bonds
ESG Indices
Upcoming Events
PRI & UNEP FI Conference: Towards a Resilient and Sustainable Economy
PRI and UNEP FI
Dec. 11
Melbourne, Australia
Emerging markets, central banks & the future of green monetary policy
Responsible Investor
Jan. 29, 2020
Webinar
Investing for Impact
The Economist
Feb. 13, 2020
New York
ESG & Sustainability Forum
Infrastructure Investor
March 16, 2020
Berlin
Water & Long-Term Value
Skytop Strategies
April 2, 2020
San Francisco
ESG and Sustainable Investments Forum
Institutional Investor
April 22, 2020
Amsterdam
Disruptive Sustainability Technologies
Skytop Strategies
April 23, 2020
Palo Alto, Calif.
US SIF 2020 Annual Conference
The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment
June 8-10, 2020
Arlington, Va.
Questions or suggestions? Contact S&P Global Market Intelligence's ESG News team at ESGNews@spglobal.com.