The EU's new regulations for sustainable investing will force many investment firms to either rename thousands of funds or divest $40 billion in assets.
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has introduced rules to clarify the criteria for sustainable investment funds.
Funds labeled as ESG, SRI, or similar will no longer include high-emission industries unless they meet specific environmental standards.
Major companies like TotalEnergies may be divested from many ESG funds, affecting $3.5 billion in investments.
Key quote:
"Investors should know exactly what they are getting in their mutual funds."
— Andrew Behar, CEO of As You Sow
Why this matters:
Ensuring transparency in ESG funds is crucial for maintaining investor trust and encouraging genuine sustainable investments. As financial markets adapt, the clear labeling will help investors make informed decisions aligned with their environmental values.
Many software engineers, programmers and data scientists are out of work, mulling what comes next. But climate technology firms have a tantalizing message: Come work for us.
The UK Treasury has ordered that Britain's leading companies, investment funds and pension schemes, must be able to show by 2022 how climate change and measures such as a ban on plastics might impact their finances.
