38 minutes
|
October 14, 2024
#10 Demystifying ESG
Sustainability and Investor Value with Todd Cort
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About The Speaker
Todd Cart is a leading expert at the intersection of corporate responsibility and sustainable finance. He focuses on overcoming the barriers to shifting capital toward sustainable investments, working extensively with both corporate and investor stakeholders. Todd has been instrumental in developing metrics and standards to measure the environmental impact of fixed-income products, such as green bonds, as well as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics that drive corporate growth and equity value. He is also pioneering new metrics for underwriting sustainable insurance products, with a particular emphasis on measuring climate adaptation. In addition to his research and advisory roles, Todd collaborates with companies to integrate sustainability into their core strategies, working closely with Investor Relations, COOs, Marketing and Communications teams, EHS teams, and executive leadership to drive stronger financial performance through sustainability. His work extends across multiple sectors, helping businesses meet sustainability goals and benchmark their progress in line with investor, customer, and policymaker expectations.
Episode Description
Unlock the secrets of ESG and sustainability investing with Professor Todd Cort from the Yale School of Management. Explore the nuanced differences between ESG investing, impact investing, and corporate sustainability efforts, and understand how they cater to various stakeholder concerns and investor motivations. This episode promises to clarify how corporate sustainability impacts stakeholders like customers and employees, while ESG investing focuses on the financial materiality of environmental, social, and governance factors for investors.
This episode breaks down the empirical evidence linking ESG performance to financial success, referencing comprehensive meta-analytic studies. We explore the world of ESG ratings with agencies like MSCI and Sustainalytics and understand the complexities and criticisms they face. We also get practical advice on identifying the most financially material ESG risks for your investment portfolio and explain why the performance of ESG-labeled funds remains an area of ongoing scrutiny.
Lastly, we delve into the significance of investment fund labels and what they mean for retail investors. Navigate through the financial materiality of pressing ESG topics like climate change, biodiversity, and DEI, and learn how to handle conflicting views in the ESG space.
Todd also recommends essential reads such as “Net Positive” and “Beaverland” to equip aspiring sustainable business leaders with the knowledge they need. This episode is packed with valuable insights to help you align your investments with your values and understand the skills needed for leading in today’s evolving business landscape.
Additional inspirations from Todd Cort
- Research : Yale Center for Business and the Environment
- LinkedIn : Todd Cart
