Investing IN Change

Impax’s Joe Keefe on the effectiveness of ESG

The U.S. president of the firm, who's retiring after this year, tells Investing IN Change where sustainable investing is headed and what’s going on with the political divide on a seemingly apolitical subject. Plus, Paul and Emile get into the details of the first lawsuit over ESG use in a 401(k) plan. Related Article: Impax North America president Keefe to retire Guest Bio: Joe Keefe is president of Impax Asset Management. Based in the Portsmouth office, he is responsible for distribution...

Why ESG can (and should) matter for financial advisors

Kiley Miller, principal director of sustainable investing at Envestnet, joins the podcast to talk about how the firm works with advisors on sustainability and ESG. A couple of case studies — on the heavy rail industry and water use in the IT supply chain — show how important ESG considerations can be. Plus, Paul and Emile talk about the fallout from Bud Light’s now infamous marketing partnership with a trans influencer and the reaction to a column on that topic. Related article: https://ww...

ESG’s role in financial wellness

April is Financial Wellness Month, and guest Jennifer Coombs, director of client success at Ethos ESG, talks about the role sustainable investing can play in financial education. Whether sustainability acts as a gateway to investing or is a topic being explored by seasoned investors, it’s an area that’s hard to avoid — and advisors and clients can only benefit from knowing more about it. Paul and Emile also discuss the political climate and the demand seen for ESG-themed mutual funds and ET...

A year on, what Russia’s war in Ukraine means for ESG

Sustainable investment providers in some cases have had to rethink what types of holdings are acceptable — including controversial areas like oil and weapons. The energy crisis that resulted from the war has also put sustainable funds at a disadvantage, and many have underperformed the broader market. Alyssa Stankiewicz, associate director of sustainability research at Morningstar, talks about how fund providers are adjusting to these conditions and how ESG is performing at a difficult time...

The carbon consequences of investing in animal agriculture

Paul and Emile go over recent developments in the anti-ESG efforts coming from several states and Congress, including attempts to invalidate the Department of Labor’s new ESG rule for retirement plans. Special guest Elysabeth Alfano, CEO and founder of VegTech Invest, discusses the environmental and health effects of the animal industry. Alfano, whose firm’s Plant-based Innovation & Climate ETF was recently third-party certified as being carbon neutral without the use of credits, talks abou...

A conversation with Nell Minow on corporate governance

Paul and Emile talk about themes to watch in 2023. Special guest Nell Minow, vice chair at ValueEdge Advisors, gives insight on corporate governance and the current state of ESG and the politics affecting it. Minow, who has a second career in film writing, talks about some of the similarities with governance, and she even has a few movie recommendations on the topic of ESG. Guest Bio: Nell Minow is Vice Chair of ValueEdge Advisors. She was Co-founder and Director of GMI Ratings from 2010 t...

A trading app bets on sustainable investing

ESG Out Loud US talks with the founder of a new retail trading app, Fennel, which incorporates ESG data. Company CEO Daniel Naim says that proxy voting, sustainability and shareholder engagement will pull more people into the investing world. Naim talks about how he made a major career trajectory change, leaving a physics PhD program to start the broker-dealer Fennel Financials as well as Fennel Markets, which includes the new trading app. Emile and Paul also discuss the Department of Labor...

Teaching climate finance at a pivotal moment

Leading up to COP27, Columbia University professor Bruce Usher talks about how the world has gotten to the climate crisis and why progress to address it has stalled. But the energy transition provides many opportunities, and there is reason to be hopeful. Usher talks about teaching about the intersection of climate and finance and the disproportionate impact that wealthier nations have in global warming. Also, InvestmentNews’ Jeff Benjamin talks with Emile about the ESG potential of direct i...

From unknown to mainstream: How ESG has changed

US SIF CEO Lisa Woll talks with ESG Out Loud, reflecting on her time at the organization and how sustainable investing has grown from virtually unheard of to a topic that has grown popular and is mocked by politicians and one comic strip. The intensity of the recent opposition to sustainable investing hints that it is successful and is seen as a threat to business as usual. New regulations being pushed by the Biden administration could help propel ESG even further, Woll says. Also, Paul and...

What we could gain by engaging with oil companies

Paul and Emile discuss BlackRock and the rest of the firms on Texas’ sustainable investing blacklist, and how ESG investing is yet another political issue polarizing our country.  Then Emile speaks with Roos Wijker of Follow This, a grassroots organization and collective of shareholders. Roos talks about the group's efforts to push Big Oil companies to accelerate the energy transition by setting emission reduction targets aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement. 

Opposition to ESG in the Lone Star State

Paul and Emile talk through recent ESG news, including the pushback the SEC has gotten from Republicans in Congress over its climate disclosure rule and how that fits into the larger trend of the anti-ESG movement. Then Emile talks with Dan Garrett, assistant professor of finance at Wharton School, about his research on the financial consequences of Texas’ anti-ESG legislation. Related Article: Who’s afraid of ESG? Guest Bio:  Daniel Garrett is an assistant professor of finance at the Wha...

Seeking racial justice in wealth management

Emile and Paul  talk about Emile's takeaways from the recent US SIF Forum held in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. Emile interviews Ivy Jack, head of equity research at NorthStar Asset Management, about the role of racial justice and community investments in wealth management.  Guest Bio: Ivy Jack is head of equity research for NorthStar Asset Management Inc., a Boston-based wealth management firm that specializes in socially responsible investing through shareholder engagement, impact invest...

OUT LOUD report on health care

Emile Hallez and Paul Curcio discuss the highlights of ESG Clarity’s latest sector report on health care. They’re joined by Carole Laible, CEO at Domini Impact Investments, who offers her insights on how Russia’s war in Ukraine is affecting ESG across different sectors. Listen and subscribe to the ESG Clarity podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Google. Guest Bio: Carole Laible, CEO of Domini Impact Investments, has over twenty years of impact investing experience. She is resp...

What the SEC’s proposal means for climate disclosure

Join Emile Hallez and Paul Curcio as they break down the SEC’s proposal and what it means for companies' climate disclosures. Later, Emile Hallez connects with Green Century’s president, Leslie Samuelrich to talk Out Loud about emissions reporting and engaging with companies in a changing world of shareholder proposals.

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Welcome to ESG Out Loud US

Join us for the latest stories and insight from ESG insiders

How do you ESG?

Investors and advisers are more interested than ever in putting their money to work to better the planet and the people living here. While there's lots of talk about "making sure your money aligns with your values," there's very little talk about how to actually to do so. Where does one find the data on environmental impact, carbon emissions, social justice, diversity, community impact, biodiversity protection (or harm) and all the other critical ESG metrics when making an investing decision...

Do you have to be ‘woke’ to be an ESG investor?

Larry Fink’s annual letter to CEOs this year caused a stir with his assertion that while BlackRock partakes in sustainability and social justice work, it is neither an environmentalist nor is it "woke." This episode focuses on intention vs. action in the ESG movement and whether it's important to be an idealist to successfully execute these practices. Rachel Robasciotti, founder and CEO of Adasina Social Capital, joins Steve to discuss these points and more. Do you have to be woke to invest ...

Be a good ancestor

Often referred to as a distant problem, one that can be solved at a later date with an incredible, yet-to be-invented technology, climate change is here, we caused it, and it’s bad. Dr. Kimberly Nicholas, author of the powerful book "Under the Sky We Make,"  breaks down the overwhelming scientific consensus on human-caused climate change and discusses with Steve the extreme urgency of the situation. They go into detail on the surprising power of individuals to affect change, and the need for...

What do C-suite execs think about climate change?

In this episode, you'll hear about:  The what and why of the 2022 Deloitte CxO sustainability report. Jennifer's key takeaways. Why we are seeing the sudden and significant increases in exec awareness of the need for climate action. Needle-moving actions. The importance of education. How to treat climate metrics. Are we finally witnessing a fundamental shift in thinking? 2022 Deloitte CxO Sustainability Report Related Article:  NY’s pension drops 21 holdings in sustainability review...

Creating change one person at a time with CNote, plus a regulatory update

In this episode, you'll hear about:  ESG regulatory update from Washington, D.C. Danielle's personal journey from bank teller to VP at an impact company. What CNote is and how it works. Working at awomen-founded and -led organization. The importance of investing in communities and BIPOC women business owners. Why Danielle believes focusing on helping individual people, one at a time, is the key. Cnote.com Black Led CDFIs CDFI locator Impact Assets Top 50 Managers 2021 Related Vide...

Together we rise

In this episode, you’ll hear about:  Dasarte’s Liberian lineage. Emlen’s path to becoming an adviser. Challenges that underrepresented advisers face. What Onyx will do for member advisers. Why no one should fear diversity. The future of Onyx. Video Interview:  https://www.investmentnews.com/video/215989 Onyx Adviser Network Young Money Podcast Minority Money Podcast Related Article:  Revisiting King’s last speech Related Article:  Group creates certification for financial confere...

Can ESG help women advisers succeed?

In this episode, you’ll hear about:  -The current state of women advisers -The a-ha moments for Haleh and Kacie and why they became ESG advisers -How utilizing ESG has helped them succeed -How ESG practices can keep women in the advisory space throughout their careers -The power of values-based client relationships that are at the heart of sustainable investing, and why that is opportunity for women advisers -Outlooks for sustainable investing in 2022 ESG study shared with SEC reveals...

An ESG update and outlook with Amy O'Brien

In this episode, you'll hear about: Overview of Nuveen's sixth annual responsible investor survey. Investor trends in 2021. How the climate disasters of 2021 played a role in investment decisions. Investors' rising concern about social risk and DEI. Measuring social risk and DEI. Clients desire for advisers to educate on ESG issues. Advisers' ESG experience can affect trust and loyalty. ESG in 401(k) plans. 2022 outlook. Get your copy of the survey here Expect a flurry of new ESG ...

The Glasgow climate pact & climate finance

In this episode, you'll hear about:  COP26 being the first COP to materially include the private sector — and why that matters. GFANZ. Addressing the fear of banks leading the charge against climate change. The importance of focusing on small victories along the arc to net-zero. Climate change is now a boardroom-level, top-3 issue, regardless of industry. Carbon markets. Invest or divest to decarbonize? Read:  The Glasgow Climate Pact Related Article:  How BlackRock made ESG the hot...

"My next goal post": One woman’s journey to create a wildly successful impact-focused VC firm

In this episode, Steve chats with Sarah Cone about: What is Social Impact Capital? Sarah's journey. Her investment success stories. Women as leaders in venture capital. What will it take to grow the ranks of women partners in VC. Why use venture capital as a tool for positive change. Related Article:  Venture Capital Is Still A ‘Boys’ Club.’ Let’s Start To Change That Social Impact Capital Prometheus Fuels Andela Guest Bio:   Sarah Cone is the founder and managing partner at Soci...

The difference between serving shareholders and stakeholders, with B Lab and Natura &Co

In this episode, you'll hear about:  What is B Lab? What are B-Corps? The legal change required for a company to become a B-Corp. The B Lab assessment. Why a company would become a B-Corp. Positive effects of becoming a B-Corp. The backstory  of Natura &Co, whose brands include Avon, the Body Shop and others. Why it changed to a B-Corp. The great results of the switch. Related Article:  Elizabeth Warren grills Bitcoin miner on climate Related Article:  Blackstone, Apollo among fir...

The difference between serving shareholders and stakeholders, with B Lab and Natura & Co

In this episode, you'll hear about:  What is B Lab? What are B Corps? The legal change required for a company to become a B Corp. The B Lab assessment. Why a company would become a B Corp. Positive effects of becoming a B Corp. The backstory  of Natura & Co, whose brands include Avon, the Body Shop and others. Why it changed to a B Corp. The great results of the switch. Related Article:  Elizabeth Warren grills Bitcoin miner on climate Related Article:  Blackstone, Apollo among fi...

Inside the ESG Film Festival: The power of storytelling

In this episode, you'll hear about:   The genesis for the film festival. The story of making our first Impact documentary in 2018. The mark that the production of that documentary left on both Matt and me. About the first ESG Film Festival. The power of storytelling. Why storytelling matters so much for our industry. How and why advisers need to tell stories to win. Impact: Investing with a Purpose documentary Related Article: Helping investors cut through the noise of ESG investing...

Investing to end gender-based violence

In this episode you'll hear about:  The scale of gender-based violence and importance of reducing it The importance of talking about it openly Four ways that investors can use their dollars to affect change Specific examples How investments of this type help to change the behavior and attitudes that sustain these violent acts Related Video:  Investing to eliminate gender-based violence Teresa and Joy's paper:  Investing to Address Gender-Based Violence Guest Bios: Teresa Wells co-le...

First look: The infrastructure bill and ESG

In this episode, you'll hear about:   Free Little Libraries — take a book, leave a book initiative to improve kids reading. Read in Color — a program to promote diversity in children's books. The importance of local projects. Craig Jonas' background. The current status of the infrastructure bill. What will it do for sustainability and equity? What opportunities will be opened for investors and entrepreneurs? CoPeace's mission of bringing impact investing to all people. Related Artic...

Youth activism, carbon pricing and ensuring a just transition: Week 2 of COP26

In this episode you'll hear:  An update on the vibe as COP turns from announcements to brokering negotiations. Big announcements from Finance Day and from the Investment COP fringe event. Youth activists. Carbon pricing. Ensuring a just transition. Pension funds committing to green investments. Thoughts on the remarks of Scottish First Minister. ESG Clarity's COP26 coverage Yellen to urge finance CEOs to put more funds into climate fight Climate resilience metrics launched at COP26...

Youth activism, carbon pricing, and ensuring a just transition: Week 2 of COP26

In this episode you'll hear:  An update on the vibe as COP turns from announcements to brokering negotiations Big announcements from finance day and from the Investment COP fringe event Youth activists Carbon pricing Ensuring a just transition Pension funds committing to green investments Thoughts on the remarks of Scottish First Minister imploring  ESG Clarity's COP26 coverage Yellen to urge finance CEOs to put more funds into climate fight Climate resilience metrics launched at C...

COP26 for investors

In this episode you'll hear about:  What's it's like for a journalist to finally be back on the road. The great energy of Glasgow and the COP26 event. Big takeaways from the first few days. Big announcements from the UK finance sector. Getting outside perspectives on ESG by talking with high school students. What else is expected to come out of COP? ESG Clarity's guide to COP26:  Here Related Video:  Investing to eliminate gender-based violence Related Video:  Market will sort out E...

Exploring global ESG market differences

In this episode, you'll hear about:  A brief look ahead to COP26. Lots of chatter about commitments; will there be real action? The ESG markets in Asia, the EU and the US. Will the Asian ESG market overtake the US market in terms of fund flows? The role of data. Morningstar's desire to be a global leader in sustainable investing. Related Video:  How to Wield Two Tools in ESG Investing Related Article:  ESG information buffet can confuse hungry investors Related Article: Regulators w...

DOL supports ESG in retirement plans

In this episode you'll hear about: The timeline for the DOL proposal for ESG. The effect it will have on retirement plans. How the field of ESG may be impacted. What the UNEP FI program is and aims to do. What finance institutions can do to manage and drive SDG action. Impact reporting. Related Video:  American investors most focused on ESG returns Related Article:  Labor Department issues ESG rule proposal for 401(k)s Related Article: ESG would get massive boost from DOL proposed 4...

Disrupting the system with social entrepreneurs

In this episode you'll learn about The Ripple Center, a new program to educate future sustainable business leaders. How social entrepreneurs will disrupt and reshape our economy. What it takes to be a successful  social entrepreneur. Ripple Center curriculum and timeframe. What it's like to be acquired as a young social entrepreneur. Why Silicon Ranch acquired Clearloop, and what CEO Reagan Farr saw in Laura that was special. Related article:  Silicon Ranch Corp. buys Clearloop solar ...

Bond investment aims to help those unfairly impacted by pandemic's economic pain

In this episode you'll hear:  How communities are leery of capital offers and need education about how to take advantage of available programs. Why the pandemic economically impacted certain communities that already faced uphill battles. Ways the impact investment in New Mexico will help those most economically impacted by the pandemic. How an experience with Sen. Robert Kennedy two months before he was assassinated helped lead Ron Homer to impact investing work. Related Video: RBC’s Ro...

Climate Week NY: Prioritizing a ‘just transition’ to a decarbonized economy

In this episode you'll hear:  How the switch to a net zero economy will be the largest reallocation of capital in human history. A variety of statements from keynote speakers including Al Gore, the president of COP 26, and the UN special envoy on climate and finance. What is climate justice and how do we achieve it? The role of finance and investors in the coming  transition. Who will lead the world into the net zero economy? Related Article:  Climate Week NYC kicks off with calls for ...

Late-night TV is joining Climate Week NYC with CEO Helen Clarkson

In this episode, you'll hear about:  Climate Week NYC returning for a 13th year with some live events, all aimed at driving action on climate from governments and businesses. How Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Trevor Noah, etc.,  are coordinating  to promote climate action. New York Gov. Kathy Hochkul and other guests will showcase what companies and technologies are doing. How listeners can attend Climate Week NYC live in New York Sept. 20-24. Why China and the U.S. are making organizer H...

How do we pay for the SDGs?

In this episode, you'll hear about:  How the private sector must help developing nations because there are not enough public funds or capacity. What developing nations need in addition to funding to reach the goals. Why these global partnerships are critical for attaining the SDGs. Whether the U.S. should be giving more to developing nations; today the U.S. contributes about 0.17% of its gross national income in development assistance. Related Story:  Regulators scrutinize ESG more clos...

Brewing peace through economic opportunities

In this episode you'll hear: How a for-profit company supports TRU Color’s social mission of reducing violence. What George Taylor learned about why individuals join gangs and how he gained the trust of gang members over time. Why it’s so important for TRU Colors to be a national brand if it wants to help promote peace. When and where you can buy TRU Colors premiere launch, TRU Lite. How it feels to have someone offer an economic opportunity instead of violence . Related video: The sto...

Protecting forests and portfolios from deforestation risk

In this episode you'll hear: A briefing on what shareholder advocacy is and how it works. Why Green Century, a unique mutual fund company owned by nonprofits, utilizes direct engagement as a purposeful strategy. How companies like Bunge Limited, JPMorgan Chase and Proctor & Gamble have all adopted more sustainable practices as a direct result of Green Century's work. What investors and advisers can do to support this kind of engagement. Related Article:  Stay ahead of ESG regulatory cha...

Investors cast a wide net for sustainable fish

In this episode, you'll hear: How more than 3 billion people rely on the oceans for their livelihoods. Why the oceans are a nature-based solution that can help combat climate change. What impact plastics — which are entering the oceans at the level of "a dumptruck's worth" every minute of every day — are having on marine ecosystems. Fish will play a crucial role in feeding the growing global population so changing fishery practices that damage the seas will become increasingly important....

An investor blueprint for net zero

In this episode, you'll hear: What is climate change and why is it occurring? What is the Net Zero America Project? How can the United States create a net-zero economy by 2050? What role will finance play in the revolution in the economy? Related Article:  Climate report to add pressure on governments to decarbonize Related Article:  SEC’s Gensler takes to Twitter to push mandatory climate disclosures Related Article:  What the U.N.’s climate change report means for advisers United N...

Social enterprise tackles trash and reaps the rewards

In this episode, you'll hear about:  How TerraCycle allows companies to conveniently participate in reuse without instituting big changes. Why consumers are willing to take an additional step to benefit the planet. Whether it's possible to lead a no-waste existence. Why consuming less is really the best way to support sustainability. Related Story:  What investors should know about the sustainability revolution United Nations SDG #12 Guest Bios: Tom Szaky is founder and CEO of social...

A tale of investing in sustainable cities

In this episode, you'll hear about:  Why making cities more sustainable requires solving political and other challenges. How fixing cities can achieve other goals like fighting poverty, and cleaning up the air. What investors can do to help beat the challenge of creating affordable housing. How impact investments can be created that account for adviser interests, too. Related Story: What investors should know about the sustainability revolution United Nations SDG #11 Information New M...

The difference a quality job makes

In this episode, you'll hear about:  The four pillars of a quality job. How job quality affects worker equality. How bad jobs can dramatically negatively affect a business that provides them. Magazine Luiza's Black-only training program. Related Video:  Sustainable companies treat employees as assets United Nations SDG #10 Information Magazine Luiza GINI Index as calculated by the World Bank The World Inequality Database Good Jobs Institute Schroders Guest Bios: Sarah Bratton Hu...

How aligning people, planet and profit might just save the world

In this episode you’ll hear about:   Why Ibrahim AlHusseini believes all the sustainable development goals collapse if nations fail to get SDG #9 right. How Erika Karp describes capitalism as beautiful and poetic — while stating that it needs to move away from being extractive and exclusive. How Simpliphi Power innovated energy storage to eliminate the intermittency of renewable energies and did so without putting labor at risk. Whether environmentally sound tech can upgrade and retrofit...

Growing quality jobs that don't damage the planet's health

In this episode you’ll hear about:   Why SDG#8 seeks to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development and decent work for all by 2030. How the Empress Tree is so effective at sequestering carbon. Ways World Tree plans to help 10,000 small farmers over five years cultivate crops and provide 100,000 jobs. How this impact investment brought new clients to Common Interests. Related video: Sustainable companies treat employees as assets United Nations SDG#8 Information World Tree ...