Who has had the greatest impact on sustainable investment over the last twelve months?
Ursula von der Leyen, for getting through the European recovery package with green requirements attached, and for presiding over the adoption of the EU sustainable finance taxonomy.
Where have you seen the biggest change in your day-to-day role over the past three months?
Obviously the 100% remote client interactions have started to become the new normal, bringing with it new opportunities to develop client relationships using innovative online tools, whilst freeing up travel time to focus on new projects.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your thinking around sustainable investment?
It has provided a new perspective on the role of social factors in driving ESG alpha. Such a massive disruption to supply chains and working conditions has allowed good employers to stand out, and vindicated our focus on the “S” in “ESG”.
What would you like to see change within the sustainable investment landscape over the coming years?
Europe has been in the driving seat for the last couple of years to streamline sustainable finance and help guide capital towards sustainable companies. I’d like to see the SEC and other regulators across the globe joining that effort.
What are you most looking forward to at edie’s Sustainable Investment Digital Conference?
The opportunities to share experience, interact with investors and learn from my peers, because the field of sustainable investing is just teenagehood and there is still so much to be done to unleash all the alpha potential embedded within ESG research.