News
Five celebrities using their fame and fortune for a sustainable future
Robert Downey Jr., the actor known for his role as Iron Man, wants to launch the Footprint Coalition in 2020, a project aimed at using science to protect the environment. He is not alone in using his fame - and fortune – to serve the common good. Bono, Leonardo DiCaprio, Serena Williams, and Bill...
Shareholder Engagement Demonstrates Its Impact On Company Transformation In The Oil And Gas Sector
Investor coalitions are putting in place specific methodologies to question companies on their social responsibility. The Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) and the Dutch NN Investment Partners explained the results they obtained from companies like Shell, BP and Tesla at Novethic’s 2019 Positive...
The great battle over the european classification system for sustainable activities has begun
Members of the European Commission’s technical expert group recently unveiled the fruit of a year’s worth of labor: a proposal for a regulation on the establishment of a classification system (i.e. taxonomy) to facilitate sustainable activities in Europe. As the backbone of the sustainable finance...
Three essential questions to navigating the jungle of sustainable finance labels
Sustainable finance labels provide valuable insights for investors seeking to manage their money more responsibly. However, there are significant disparities between many European sustainable finance labels, which makes it difficult to understand their true impact. To better understand this impact,...
ESG focus: Beyond Ratings moves to the London stock exchange!
On June 3rd, the London Stock Exchange announced the acquisition of Beyond Ratings, signifying the rise of sustainable finance in the London Stock Exchange. This French rating agency, created in 2014, specializes in the integration of ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria into credit...
[Europe] The European union: a motor in the development of sustainable finance
European institutions deserve much credit for the recent momentum around sustainable finance. In less than three years, it has become a major focus of the Commission's financial markets policy. It is likely to transform the European economy, provided that differences of opinion between Member States...
The World Bank wants to reconcile mining and climate action
The World Bank has launched a $50 million fund to invest in mining sites in developing countries. Its goal is to support the energy transition by financing the extraction of the mines and metals needed for green energy. The plan to introduce responsible practices to a sector known for its many...
Shareholders rebel against top companies ahead of annual meeting season
Bayer, Barclays, UBS...annual meeting season is already in a state of turmoil, with shareholders voting against corporate leadership and asking them to be more responsible. Shareholder activism is strengthening to hold companies more responsible, particularly on the climate issue. Businesses are...
Impact investing: a holy grail for the finance sector
The search for impact investing has spread across the entire finance sector. From specialized management companies to the largest of banks, financial institutions want to be a part of this rapidly growing market, estimated at $502 billion by Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN). However, there is...
Gender equality: the next challenge in sustainable finance
Thematic funds on gender equality are starting to emerge within companies. And it's not an easy task! Women continue to experience difficulties in attaining corporate leadership roles. The management company Mirova has just created a fund that goes against current statistics, by investing in...
Greening the financial system : a new mission for central banks
The fight against climate change can work wonders. It is not only able to transform central bankers into environmental apostles, but also reduces circumspect regulation to concrete considerations of climate-related financial risks. This was demonstrated by the Paris meeting of the Network for the...
Responsible investment could mean a crash test for the mass market
Responsible investing is growing at a rapid pace and is beginning to intertwine with the rest of the finance sector. The challenge is far from being won. Disparity in terminology makes it particularly difficult for investors and salespeople to market it. And lack of standardization concerning impact...
The SEC allows ExxonMobil to axe climate change resolution at general meeting
The basis of the Security and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) recent decision goes against historical trends. While shareholders once again tried to put climate on the agenda of ExxonMobil's General Meeting, the stock exchange watchdog authorised the oil giant to dismiss the resolution, on the premise...
Artificial intelligence: one week after being established, Google's ethics board is already falling apart
Google's ambition was to develop an artificial intelligence program with the US military. But faced with the outcry raised by its own employees, the company has since changed course and set up an ethics committee on this new technology. Impacted by a poor casting of board members, the plan has...
[Inside story] Calls for boycott: George Clooney against the Sultan of Brunei, while Arab States stand against brazilian agrobusiness!
Boycotting is a double-faced geopolitical weapon used by stars like George Clooney to defend human rights but also by Arab states against the Brazilian agribusiness that sells them halal meat!
Despite water stress risks, large companies continue to consume more water
22 March is World Water Day. This basic resource is increasingly abused due to demographic pressure as well as growing industrial and agricultural needs. Despite increased awareness of the risks associated with water scarcity and water degradation, large global companies are only adding to this...
[Infographic] Gender equality is also an economic opportunity
A $5.800 trillion opportunity. This is what greater workplace gender equality could provide the economy, and in doing so, increase global GDP by 3.9%. While equality should not be subject to economic performance, several studies show that inequalities are stalling growth. In some developing...
The plant-based craze sparks the appetite of companies and investors
It's time for agribusiness actors to take the plant-based path. Driven by an activist fund, Nestlé has just separated from the Herta delicatessen division to move towards more plant-based options. McDonald's will soon offer a vegetarian burger, and Danone wants to compete with French organic brand,...
The future of corporate accounting could include ecological debt
In the future, business accounting will have to integrate the degradation of human and natural capital caused by company activities. In any case, this is what many experts are trying to push with a new method of accounting soon to be tested in France.
For investors, the artificial intelligence race has a long road ahead
Startups incorporating artificial intelligence technology are not as numerous as we think. A study conducted by MMC Ventures identified nearly 1,600 such startups in Europe. That’s 40% less than the number of companies claiming to be a part of this sector. Investors are ready to put more money into...