Christopher Marchant

BlackRock to expand on ESG in exchange traded funds

BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, said iShares, its provider of exchange traded funds (ETFs), will expand its range of funds with an environmental, social and governance (ESG) focus and tighten screening of its existing ESG ETFs.

S&P: Global sustainable debt to pass $400bn in 2020

Financial information giant S&P Global has forecast that the global sustainable debt sector will pass the $400 billion mark by the conclusion of this year, with the rise of sustainability-linked instruments a key factor.

ESG corporate euro bonds outperform, but US still lags, says Amundi

Integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) when investing in euro-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds drives outperformance, a study has shown.

BP 'raises questions' with pledge to be 'net zero' by 2050

The new CEO of oil and gas giant BP has released, to great fanfare, a pledge to make the company net zero by 2050 - but NGOs dismissed it as "cynical" and one investor said it "raises a number of questions".

Equator Principles teams up with IFC to help banks manage risks

The Equator Principles Association (EPA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are to collaborate in efforts to strengthen the capacity of financial institutions to manage environmental and social risk.

Eurex launches ESG futures contract for US equities

European derivatives exchange Eurex has launched the Eurex STOXX USA 500 ESG-X Futures contract, the first exchange-listed derivative covering the US market that excludes thermal coal extraction and coal-fired power plants.

NGOs criticise BlackRock relationship with agribusiness

Environmental advocates Amazon Watch and Friends of the Earth have criticised BlackRock following a statement by the world's largest asset manager on its relationship with agribusiness.

People Moves 7 February: GSG, Federated Hermes, Nuveen, Kempen, Foresight, Legal & General, Vigeo Eiris, Eaton Vance

Norwegian oil fund revokes its exclusion of Drax

Norway's Government Pension Global, known as Norway's oil fund, is to reverse its decision to divest from British power generation company Drax.

Argentina and Brazil have 'most sovereign credit risk from natural capital'

Argentina and Brazil have been identified as the two G20 countries facing the greatest risk from factors associated with economic dependence on natural capital.