Asset managers and younger age groups are driving the change to a more sustainable financial sector. As the second decade of the XXI century has now officially began, people are eager to rethink the very purpose of the current economic system. In October 2019, the...
ESG, Tech / 20.12.2019
Investors to pressure tech giants over ESG issues
"All that glitter is not gold, often have you heard that told." Tech giants have long been deemed ESG good-will ambassadors. They usually couple a meaningful value proposition together with a garageland background, which makes the formula extremely appealing to people, especially the young. However, since...
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot S.A. (PSA) merge into a new combined company, which would become the 3rd largest global Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) by combined revenues of nearly €170bn. FCA and PSA announced it issuing a joint press release and a proposed merger doc (see...
Corporate Governance / 16.12.2019
Apple shareholders to discuss human rights policies at 2020 annual meeting
Next year at Apple’ s annual meeting, shareholders will vote a non-binding resolution for transparency over human rights policies. On 9 September 2019, SumOfUs, a consumer advocacy group, submitted the proposal claiming that the US tech company had limited individual freedom of expression kowtowing to China's will, which...
“I am disappointed with the results of COP 25” The UN Secretary-General António Guterres sentenced on Twitter on 15 December, 2019, at the end of the COP 25 closing plenary. “Time For Action” was the slogan unrolled at the start of the 25th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25). The...
Climate change / 12.12.2019
A global political impasse threatens both negotiations at COP25 and the EU’s Green Deal
Millions of people are taking into the streets in an effort to save the planet. Despite that, public mobilisation has had very little impact on governments’ leaders so far. Talks between world's leaders have not evolved into actions as people wish, and the...
Climate change / 11.12.2019
The EU’s Green New Deal: protecting the Planet or the European industry?
Will the EU be able to reach its 2050’s environmental targets? If so, at what costs for the international trade market? As President of the EU Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, is preparing to unveiling EU’s Green New Deal later this Wednesday (11 December), debates about the impacts of...
Day one of the UN COP 25 in Madrid closed yesterday, 2 December 2019. Over the next two weeks to 13 December, the 196 delegations will negotiate to find a common ground to tackle climate change. So what is at stake at COP 25? We have highlighted...
Climate change / 03.12.2019
Mark Carney to become the next UN envoy on climate change and climate finance
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney will be the 2020 UN special envoy on climate action and climate finance. The Canadian economist and banker will replace billionaire Michael Bloomberg taking on the UN role to push finance to act on climate change. However, Mr. Carney’s successor at...
Vanuatu is exploring an unprecedented path to protect its population against natural disaster: suing world’s biggest polluters. After Cyclone Pam destroyed the South Pacific island in 2015, Vanuatu’s minister for foreign affairs Ralph Regenvanu is considering the option to take world’s biggest polluters to the International...
In November 2019, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted a controversial proposal for more stringent scrutiny of proxy advisers, companies which support investors managing their votes at corporate meetings. The US financial regulator required proxy adviser to let listed companies’ management review proxy advisers’ recommendation before it...
What is the right business plan for an oil and gas company as people's awareness about the threats of climate change leave no space for fossil fuels in the future? In May 2017, Shell top brass discussed the future of the world’s biggest dividend payer to...