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We have the power to make sure that large corporations are acting MORE responsibly.
This article is helpful for both consumers and investors. Understanding the large corporations in which we purchase products from is incredibly important too and what I’m about to share will provide valuable insight for your health and safety.
We have the power to make sure that large corporations are acting more responsibly. Voice it when you see issues.
Climate control is one important area that every company must work to improve. Many companies have plans to reduce emissions by 2050 (decarbonization plans). Here’s a breakdown of greenhouse gas emissions by sector for 2021:
⁰Source: EPA: https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions
In today’s world, investors are increasingly seeking opportunities that not only deliver financial returns but also align with their values and contribute to a sustainable future. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing has emerged as a powerful strategy that integrates sustainability factors into investment decisions. In this article, we will delve into the realm of ESG investing, shedding light on MSCI’s ESG Ratings & Climate Search Tool. Join us as we explore how these tools can empower investors, and consumers, to make informed decisions and drive positive change through their investment portfolios.
Understanding ESG Investing:
ESG investing involves evaluating companies based on their environmental, social, and governance performance alongside traditional financial metrics. By considering factors such as carbon emissions, biodiversity & land use, labor practices, board diversity, and ethical leadership among other issues, investors and consumers can assess the sustainability and long-term viability of a company. ESG investing goes beyond mere financial returns; it aims to foster positive impact and shape a more equitable and sustainable future.
MSCI’s ESG Rating:
MSCI, a leading provider of investment decision support tools, has developed an ESG Rating methodology that enables investors to assess the ESG performance of thousands of companies worldwide. MSCI’s ESG Ratings are based on a comprehensive analysis of data from 1,000s of sources, offering investors valuable insights into a company’s sustainability practices. This rating system allows investors to identify industry leaders in ESG performance and compare companies within industries, which is more specific than sectors, facilitating more informed investment decisions.
It’s great that the ratings are based on other companies in the same industry as this allows us to more clearly compare “apples to apples”.
It is important to recognize that while the ESG ratings do generally focus on the significance to a company’s bottom line, they are an excellent source of initial research.
MSCI¹ says about their ESG Ratings, “companies that fail to manage ESG risk, have historically experienced higher costs of capital, more volatility and accounting irregularities”.
Unleashing the Climate Impact:
Recognizing the urgent need to address climate change, MSCI also addresses companies impact on climate change. This tool enables investors to assess the climate-related risks and opportunities within their investment portfolios. By analyzing a company’s exposure to climate-related risks, such as carbon emissions or physical climate impacts, investors can proactively manage their portfolios to mitigate these risks and capitalize on climate-friendly opportunities. According to the Paris agreement, the world was given a mission to limit the rise in temperature preferably to 1.5°C. MSCI uses a forward looking measure called, Implied Temperature Rise (ITR). There is only a certain amount of CO2 left that we can release into the world if we want to keep temperature rise below 2°C by the year 2100. MSCI looks at each company and uses their decarbonization (emission reduction) target, sector and other information to project their ITR.
Empowering Investors to Drive Change:
The integration of MSCI’s ESG Rating and Climate Search Tool empowers investors to align their investment strategies with their sustainability goals. By leveraging these tools, investors can:
Identify sustainable investment opportunities: MSCI’s ESG Rating provides investors with a comprehensive evaluation of companies’ sustainability practices, enabling them to identify leaders in ESG performance across sectors.
Assess climate-related risks: The Search Tool helps investors understand the potential impacts of climate change on their portfolios. This knowledge allows for the implementation of risk mitigation strategies, such as divesting from high-carbon sectors or engaging with companies to improve their climate resilience.
Foster positive change: By investing in companies with high ESG ratings and low climate-related risks, investors can actively contribute to driving positive change. These investments can incentivize companies to improve their sustainability practices and transition towards a more sustainable future.
ESG investing has gained significant momentum as investors recognize the importance of aligning their financial goals with sustainability objectives. MSCI’s ESG Rating and Climate Search Tool offer invaluable resources for investors to evaluate companies’ sustainability performance and manage climate-related risks. By harnessing the power of these tools, investors can drive positive change while building portfolios that generate both financial returns and a lasting impact. Let’s embark on this journey together, as we navigate sustainable investing and shape a more sustainable future for all. When you see “laggard”, this means the company is “lagging behind” others in its industry.
Amazon’s ESG Rating²
Company: Amazon (AMZN)
Implied Temperature Rise: 2°C
ESG Rating: A (Average): among 70 companies in the “Retail – Consumer Discretionary Industry“. Below is a breakdown of how Amazon compares to its peers on key issues in its industry:
Laggard: Corporate Behavior, Labor Management
Average: Corporate Governance, Privacy & Data Security
Leader: Product Carbon Footprint
My Opinion: When you compare data like this with Amazon’s rating on Glassdoor³ you will notice that only 72% of people who reviewed the CEO approve him at the time of this article. This is in line with the company being laggard for Labor Management. On top of that, Amazon’s Senior Management Rating and Work/Life Balance ratings are low too which makes you question how well the management ream respects, appreciates and handles its employees. A laggard for Corporate Behavior – well that’s definitely concerning too and has been commonly found among many large companies.
Coca-Cola’s ESG Rating⁴
Company: Coca-Cola (KO)
Implied Temperature Rise: 2.4°C (Misaligned)
ESG Rating: AAA (Leader): among 53 companies in the “Beverages Industry“. Below is a breakdown of how Coca-Cola compares to its peers on key issues in its industry:
Laggard: None
Average: Corporate Behavior, Opportunities in Nutrition & Health
Leader: Corporate Governance, Package Material & Waste, Water Stress, Product Safety & Quality, Health & Safety, Product Carbon Footprint
My Opinion: I don’t like seeing when a company is misaligned for implied temperature rise. It’s interesting they are overall a leader in the Beverages Industry. This definitely makes you question ratings further because we know about what’s in a Coke. However, the company has other products too and perhaps Coca-Cola is truly trying to break further into healthier drink options like I’ve read about.
It’s always important even when looking at ESG ratings to do your own research. While MSCI definitely gives us a lot to look further into, it’s still subject to some bias related toward how it will impact the company’s bottom line. As both a consumer and as an investor, ESG can really tell you a lot about a company, its leadership team and how it’s going about handling key issues compared to others in its industry.
It’s up to us to make sure that large corporations are acting more responsibly. When you see something out of line, speak up about it to protect yourself, others and our planet. We can make a change – each one of us!
Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. This is for educational purposes only. Full disclaimer here.
¹Source: https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings
²Source: Data for Amazon was pulled directly MSCI ESG Ratings & Climate Search Tool: https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings-climate-search-tool/issuer/amazoncom-inc/IID000000002157075
³Source: https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Amazon-Reviews-E6036.htm
⁴Source: Data for Coca-Cola was pulled directly MSCI ESG Ratings & Climate Search Tool: https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings-climate-search-tool/issuer/the-coca-cola-company/IID000000002151560