Through the start of 2021, the government services ecosystem buzzed with excitement around the Biden administration’s budget request and proposed infrastructure package. Contractors expect federal spending to flow toward initiatives such as IT modernization, supply chain risk management, cybersecurity and ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) ... READ MORE >
ESG
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of May 17
While COVID-19 does not discriminate in infecting patients, the data actually shows that virus outcomes have disproportionately affected minority communities. Further, despite a focus on improving diversity in trials for the disease, the trials fell short of diversity goals. A new study looks at why and how biopharma companies can improve. This week we also ... READ MORE >
3 things to know in energy: Sustainable financing, emissions goals, Exxon’s carbon storage project
Biweekly, we highlight three things going on in the energy industry that we think you should know about. Efforts around environmental, social and governance issues are a major theme in this week’s roundup. Here’s the latest. 1. The rise of ESG and sustainable financing Financial institutions are facing increasing pressure from investors to escalate ESG ... READ MORE >
C-PACE: Government push toward greener buildings may fuel financing demand
Real estate businesses looking to move forward with their strategic plans during the downturn while preserving equity may just have another tool in their tool belt: Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy programs, or C-PACE. C-PACE, a public-private financing option, allows commercial property owners to obtain low-cost, long-term financing for capital ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: ESG comes to financial services
As more and more companies adhere to environmental, social and governance practices, or ESG, financial services firms have started to fall under scrutiny for their practices. It marks a shift from the early days of ESG, when much of the attention was focused on industrial companies and environmental concerns. Since March of last year, the number of public ... READ MORE >
Political turmoil highlights the need for companies to evaluate governance risks
The unrest in Washington last month not only exposed rifts in the nation’s political culture, but it also put pressure on business leaders to articulate a position about the turmoil in a way that only recently would have been hard to imagine. Now, as the political discord continues following the impeachment trial of former President Trump, businesses are ... READ MORE >
A Labor Department rule puts spotlight on ESG in retirement plans
As investors increasingly focus on environmental, social and governance issues in the corporate sector, an important question remains: What is the true purpose of ESG? Is it to drive returns, or to simultaneously do right by society? Along with that question has come concern over fiduciary responsibility. Do investors hold up their legal and ethical ... READ MORE >
Oil prices show unprecedented volatility in 2020, and a path to recovery remains uncertain
The unprecedented imbalance the oil market has experienced for much of 2020 has garnered extraordinary responses from both oil producers and policymakers. Oil and gas companies have been forced to reposition themselves during the downturn in order to prepare for a comeback. Oil prices in the first half of 2020 were volatile, with West Texas Intermediate ... READ MORE >
How ESG is affecting the real estate and construction industries
As public pressure builds for industries to adhere to environmental, social and governance standards, the real estate and construction industries are no exception. The European Union, for example, has passed many regulations that require proper ESG planning and disclosures for real estate businesses. While ESG may not carry the same weight yet in the ... READ MORE >
As ESG accreditation evolves, don’t forget the Principles for Responsible Investment
As socially responsible investing has grown in recent years, so too have the number of organizations looking to create some sort of accreditation for investors. Groups like the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board, the Global Reporting Initiative and CDP Global are looking for ways to provide a sort of Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval that reassures ... READ MORE >