What was achieved at COP29?
Fast reading Carbon market rulebook should bolster confidence among investors and project developers, including companies formulating credible offsetting strategies. Blended finance approach crucial for opening up commercial decarbonisation pathways for companies and investors operating outside advanced developed nations. Muted response to the Global Stocktake exacerbates uncertainty over the shape and pace of the energy transition. […]
What is nature-based carbon offsetting?
Fast reading The demand for nature-based carbon offsetting is set to rise, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors. Potential benefits include nature restoration, biodiversity protection and improved water and air quality, as well as job creation and economic development. Key challenges include measurement and verification, and ensuring that the carbon remains locked away for a significant period. […]
A new frontier for stewardship
Stewardship has travelled a long way over the last two decades, and while it has not always been smooth sailing, when done well it has delivered positive outcomes for investors, companies and society as a whole. But active ownership is not without its challenges. Although these have changed over the years, it is instructive to […]
An unquenchable thirst
Water is critical for life on earth. It supports biodiversity by sustaining habitats, enables agricultural and industrial processes, and is a critical resource for human consumption and sanitation. But treating water as if it were an infinite resource can drain ancient aquifers dry and reduce rivers to little more than a trickle, hurting communities and […]
Bank of Montreal (BMO) case study
Background As the financial services industry increases investments in digitisation, we are monitoring the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to ensure companies have robust oversight processes that include monitoring of potential algorithm bias to encourage an emphasis on protecting digital rights. We engaged with Bank of Montreal (BMO) in establishing comprehensive […]
Too risky to cover?
For decades, physical risk insurers and reinsurers have priced their premiums using complex probability models informed by past events. In some years, earthquakes and hurricanes might lead to bigger claims than expected, but over the long term, the pricing models would ensure that profits and losses were smoothed out. Yet the rapidity with which the […]
Public Engagement Report Q3 2024
Fast reading Insurers are exiting certain markets as physical climate risks rise and losses mount. EOS asks insurers to demonstrate how they embed climate-related considerations into their product design and pricing, as well as their capital adequacy decisions. With insurance losses from hurricanes Milton and Helene expected to run into the billions, and extensive flooding […]
Associated British Foods (ABF) case study
Background Associated British Foods (ABF) engages in the business of manufacturing and trading of consumer goods. One of its businesses, Primark, is among Europe’s largest clothing retail companies and accounts for almost half of ABF’s turnover. Historically, Primark clothing had a reputation for low cost and bulk provision of clothing with a limited lifetime and […]
AstraZeneca case study
Background AstraZeneca is one of Europe’s leading pharmaceutical companies, primarily focused on oncology, biopharmaceuticals, and rare disease. In 2014, as part of its defence against the Pfizer takeover bid, the company announced an ambitious revenue target. EOS identified robust succession planning for both the CEO and the chair as integral to the achievement of a […]
COP16 to challenge governments to deliver on Biodiversity Plan
Fast reading We expect to see progress towards the successful and comprehensive implementation of the Biodiversity Plan at COP16. Resource mobilisation and scaling up financing for nature from all sources will be key focus areas for negotiations. Financial institutions will address their nature-related risks and impacts through underlying changes at the companies they invest in […]
