Interest in ESG funds has surged in recent years due to climate change, evolving societal values and changing expectations about the responsibilities of business, all of which have encouraged investors to align portfolios with their values.

The emergence of Covid-19 threatened to stunt the progress of ESG initiatives. However, the recent publication of the EU’s Taxonomy on sustainable investing, the European Supervisory Authorities’ Draft Joint Consultation paper on ESG disclosure, and updates to the PRI suggest that there has not been a slowdown.

Most commentators agree that ESG investing remains a very hot topic, particularly in light of the clear evidence that companies with higher ESG ratings are outperforming their peer group during this crisis. For instance, a recent Morningstar report examining the long-term performance of 745 Europe-based sustainable funds revealed that 6 out of 10 sustainable funds have delivered higher returns than counterpart conventional funds.

The ESG & Sustainability Virtual Summit (14-15 September) will provide an in-depth analysis of the opportunities and challenges at this critical point in the development of ESG investing.

Topics that will be covered by our expert panel include:

• Using ESG to action climate goals
• ESG in the era of Covid-19
• The new EU Taxonomy and other developments in law and regulation affecting ESG
• Energy transition and ESG
• Best practice engagement with ESG investee companies
• Exploring the limitations of ESG and next steps for investors

As demand for attendance at the event is likely to be high, early booking is recommended

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