Stemming the plastics tide
Fast reading The global plastics treaty aims to tackle plastic pollution across the entire lifecycle, from design and production to chemicals of concern and disposal. The majority of states seeking an ambitious treaty called for a global ban and phase-out of chemicals and products of concern – mainly single-use plastics. Recognising the growing emphasis on […]
Amazon case study
Background Amazon is an American multinational technology company that engages in e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming and artificial intelligence activities. As one of the world’s largest retailers, there is strong interest in human and labour rights at the company. Our engagement We began engagement with the company on these issues in 2020. We […]
Building a credible market for nature-based carbon offsets
Fast reading New UN standards for international carbon markets agreed at COP29 to boost credibility. Due diligence is critical for assessing the quality of nature-based carbon offset projects. While high-quality projects often require more significant investment and longer timeframes, they are essential to ensure a meaningful climate impact. In the first article in this series […]
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 […]
