environmental social and governance (ESG) criteria News

Three-Quarters of Firms Globally Are Not Ready for New ESG Rules: KPMG Report

Three-quarters of companies globally are not ready to have their environmental, social and governance (ESG) data audited externally months before new regulations kick in, according to a new report from KPMG published on Tuesday. Stricter European Union, U.S. and global …

Swiss Re Ordered to Pay Former Underwriter $1.6M for Sexism, Unfair Dismissal

A former Swiss Re underwriter has been awarded nearly 1.3 million pounds ($1.6 million) by a London employment tribunal for sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal. Julia Sommer joined Zurich-based Swiss Re in 2017 as a political risk underwriter in London …

Growing ‘Greenlash’ Fuels Fears for Europe’s Environmental Ambitions

A growing ‘greenlash’ against Europe’s environmental agenda has not so far derailed its decarbonization plans, but looming elections could put future climate and nature measures at risk. The European Union (EU) has burnished its role as a leader on climate …

More ESG Lawsuits on the Horizon as Investors Jump on UK Law

Investors are becoming more emboldened to file legal challenges against companies for their net zero claims, approaches to governance and other hot-button ESG issues, using a pair of underutilized provisions of a UK law. Standard Chartered Plc, BT Group Plc …

Ratings Firms Struggle With Climate Risk in $133 Trillion Market

With 46 straight days of 100-degree heat and coastal waters approaching hot-tub temperatures, Miami can seem like a clear example of the costs of a warming world. But analysts at S&P Global Inc. aren’t sweating it. They recently upgraded Miami’s …

EU Companies Get New ESG Rules Aimed at Addressing Climate Risks

Tens of thousands of companies operating in Europe face new requirements to report their operations’ ESG impacts as the European Union advances a plan to address climate change and environmental degradation through increased transparency and market pressures. The European Commission …

UK Court Dismisses Climate Case Against Shell in Blow for Activists

Environmental law charity ClientEarth’s unsuccessful attempt to sue Shell over its climate strategy shows the difficulties in bringing activist shareholder claims, lawyers said on Monday, after London’s High Court dismissed the case. ClientEarth, which holds 27 shares in Shell, alleges …

UN Climate Alliance Scraps Emissions Rules for Insurers After Exodus

The Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA) has ditched all requirements for members to set or publish greenhouse gas emission-reduction targets, the U.N. said on Wednesday, a major rewrite of its rules after U.S. political pressure led to a member exodus. The …

Insurers Look to Loosen UN Climate Alliance Rules After Member Exodus: Sources

The remaining insurers in a United Nations-backed coalition aimed at tackling climate change are poised to loosen the alliance’s membership requirements, after a recent exodus of members, according to two people familiar with the discussions. The U.N.-convened Net-Zero Insurance Alliance …

‘Climate Washing’ Lawsuits Jump as More Activists Challenge Corporate Claims: Report

“Climate washing” litigation has risen sharply in the last two years as environmental groups and governments grow frustrated with corporate claims about their contribution to tackling climate change, a report published on Thursday showed. The report, compiled by London’s Grantham …