Sustainability Now

After the SEC stepped back from shareholder proposal oversight, courts stepped in. We take a look at early signals from this year’s proxy season and whether we're seeing a structural shift in shareholder rights.Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI Sustainability & ClimateGuest: Jonathan Ponder, MSCI Sustainability & Climate

 On February 28, the Strait of Hormuz shut down, stranding 20% of the world's crude exports and 20% of global LNG capacity. Energy crises usually send the world running back to coal; but this time, coal generation outside China actually fell, while wind, solar, and batteries picked up the slack. Host Mike Disabato talks with MSCI's Chris Cote about whether a war in the Middle East just accelerated the end of fossil fuels, which industries can pivot now, and why countries burned twice by energy dependence may never go back. Episode reading: The Opportunity in Energy Disruption — Batteries IncludedHost: Mike Disabato, MSCI Sustainability & ClimateGuest: Chris Cote, MSCI Sustainability & Climate

For years, biodiversity risk has been a blind spot for investors — difficult to measure and even harder to link to financial performance. But that’s starting to change. In this episode, we explore how more granular, location-based data is helping investors see where companies are truly exposed to nature-related risks. Host: Gabriela da la Serna, MSCI Research & DevelopmentGuest: Bettina Meyer, MSCI Research & Development

As climate risk accelerates, insurers face a core challenge — pricing a future that no longer resembles the past. While some are adopting forward-looking models, much of the industry still reacts after losses occur, raising questions about resilience across the financial system.Guests: David Carlin, D.A. Carlin & Company; Pam Palena, MSCI Research & DevelopmentHost: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI Research & Development

Carbon footprints tell you where a fund has been. But do they tell you how it’s positioned for the road ahead?In this episode, we unpack new research from Positioning Portfolios for the Energy Transition (link to paper) analyzing more than 37,000 funds representing USD 50 trillion in assets. The research finds that funds with stronger energy transition positioning were associated with higher historical returns — and stronger links to decarbonization outcomes.We explore the distinction between transition pressure (risk exposure) and transition readiness (strategic preparedness), why managing transition risk is different from achieving temperature alignment, and how investors can balance financial performance with climate objectives.If you think climate analysis begins and ends with carbon intensity, this conversation may change your perspective.Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI Sustainability & ClimateGuest: Kishan Gangadia, MSCI Sustainability & Climate

Sustainable investors are redrawing their red lines. As defense spending rises, the definition of “controversial weapons” is being reexamined — from nuclear value chains to AI-enabled systems in the kill chain. Where those lines fall could reshape portfolios. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI Research & DevelopmentGuest: Mike Disabato, MSCI Research & Development

The 2026 World Cup is bringing the world to North America this summer. But the stadiums hosting the biggest sporting event on the planet face a problem no amount of ticket revenue can solve: the climate they were built for isn't the climate they're operating in. We look at which venues are most exposed to heat waves, flooding, and even the ground sinking beneath them, why this problem goes beyond the beautiful game, and why the insurance and bond markets haven't caught up to what the data already shows.Episode Reading: What can physical hazard data tell us about the 2026 World Cup?Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI Sustainability & ClimateGuest: Katie Towey, MSCI Sustainability & Climate

Laura Nishikawa, Head of Emerging Risks R&D at MSCI sits down with Jenn-Hui Tan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Fidelity International, as part of the MSCI Prospectives Podcast to discuss the next phase of sustainable investing. As the public narrative grows noisier and more politicized, they look past the headlines to the economic fundamentals shaping the transition and portfolio management.The conversation explores where momentum in the energy transition is really coming from, why markets continue to struggle with physical climate risk and how investors are adapting to weaker policy signals, shifting governance dynamics and greater uncertainty in capital markets.

As food retailers work to digitize and enhance their logistics and supply networks, they’re becoming more exposed to cybersecurity risks. In this episode, we discuss how a wave of recent cyberattacks has exposed vulnerabilities across the sector — how prepared companies really are, and why investors may want to sit up and take notice.Host: Gabriela de la Serna, MSCI Research & DevelopmentGuest: Cole Martin, MSCI Research & Development

Flat prices, steady volumes — carbon markets in 2025 might seem uneventful. But dig a little deeper, and a clearer picture emerges: buyers are paying more for quality. We explore how media scrutiny, new rating systems, and evolving buyer expectations are reshaping how carbon credits are valued.Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI Research & DevelopmentGuests: Nicholas Baldwin & Utkarsh Akhouri, MSCI Research & Development

For years, institutional investors treated human rights as a checkbox exercise, something to monitor after the fact. But a new wave of regulation and stakeholder pressure is forcing a fundamental shift from passive oversight to active due diligence. In this episode, we explore how forward-thinking investors are moving beyond retroactive screening to implement proactive human rights risk management across their portfolios. Episode Reading: Human-Rights Risks in Portfolios: From Oversight to Due DiligenceHost: Mike Disabato, MSCI Sustainability & ClimateGust: Aura Dron, MSCI Sustainability & Climate

When policy and markets move in different directions, the results can be surprising. In this episode, we explore five sustainability and climate trends we'll be watching in 2026. From AI-boosted clean tech and central banks enforcing climate risk rules, to investors reckoning with physical hazards in private equity and the rise of state ownership in strategic sectors. We unpack how materiality is maturing, policy is pivoting, and capital is flowing into what works.To register for the 2026 Trends to Watch webinar, click here.To review all our trend research we have put out to date, click here.Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI Sustainability & ClimateGuest: Liz Houston, MSCI Sustainability & Climate

When policy and markets move in different directions, the results can be surprising. In this episode, we explore five sustainability and climate trends we'll be watching in 2026. From AI-boosted clean tech and central banks enforcing climate risk rules, to investors reckoning with physical hazards in private equity and the rise of state ownership in strategic sectors. We unpack how materiality is maturing, policy is pivoting, and capital is flowing into what works.Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI Sustainability & ClimateGuest: Liz Houston, MSCI Sustainability & Climate

The EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is a corner stone of the EU’s plan to cut carbon emissions and achieve its climate goals. But it has undergone numerous changes, with the most recently announced on Nov. 20. Our question was whether these revisions preserved the SFDR’s stated purpose: promoting transparency and ensuring comparability in how sustainable a financial product truly is. We explored that question and more in this episode, which covers the changes the EU Commission made to the SFDR.Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI Solutions & ClimateGuest: Simone Ruiz-Vergote, MSCI Solutions & Climate

Oil spills, labor violations, data breaches. When controversy strikes, should investors pull out, or hold their nerve? We unpack fresh analysis on what happens when portfolios steer clear of scandal-prone firms and the surprising impact on returns.Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI Sustainability & ClimateGuest: Drashti Shah, MSCI Custom Index Solutions

The energy transition is underway, but it’s not a smooth ride. In this episode, we unpack why progress has been so uneven, from surging EV sales to rising coal demand. We explore how tech, cost, and policy are shaping risks and opportunities for investors.Host: Gabriela de la Serna, MSCI Sustainability & ClimateGuest: Anthony Chan, MSCI Sustainability & Climate

We are in the era of data centers. They are being built with the speed and intensity of factories during the industrial revolution, and with the same sort of capital attraction. But their high emissions, which are under-reported by companies (we will tell you why!), have left both real estate and tech investors with a dilemma: take advantage of the data center boom or have a portfolio with low emissions. We explore this tension in this episode of Sustainability Now.Helpful Reading: Desire for Data Centers Creates Carbon Dilemma for Property InvestorsHost: Mike Disabato, MSCI Sustainability & ClimateGuests: Tom Leahy, MSCI Solutions; Yoon Young Chung, MSCI Sustainability & Climate.

Carbon, selfishly, has dominated the sustainability conversation for some time. But what about the often-overlooked foundation of our everything in our economy: biodiversity. How can you measure that if its basically everything? We show you how in this episode, exploring how every business, from agriculture to technology, depends on the health of ecosystems, and how investors can now quantify those connections through innovative data-driven tools. By unpacking the creation of our new Biodiversity Risk Index Screen, the conversation reveals how measuring nature’s complexity can help reduce financial exposure to environmental loss and drive more resilient investment strategies. It’s a deep dive into how markets are beginning to account for the true value of the natural world. Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Laura Coomber, MSCI ESG Research

Do hurricanes affect the market? Join us as we cover new research that tracks the financial fallout of storms on company equity. Through asset exposure and climate models, we’ll discuss how storm paths connect to stock prices and why investors may want to take notice, before the next hurricane hits.Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Xinxin Wang, MSCI ESG Research

As the planet continues to warm, physical climate risk is no longer an abstract future concern. It is financially material today. The question now is where those risks will materialize and how are companies prepared for those risks. We can help you find out -  just by listening to this episode!Report discussed: https://www.msci.com/research-and-insights/blog-post/the-bill-is-due-physical-hazard-revenue-losses-mount-plans-lagHost: Mike Disabato, MSCI Sustainability and Climate ResearchGuest: James Edwards, MSCI Sustainability and Climate Research

Climate change doesn’t just arrive one disaster at a time. It stacks crises on top of each other: drought followed by flood, heat followed by fire; shocks that turn small problems into big financial hits. In this episode, we talked about how compounding climate hazards are reshaping the bottled water industry, what a 2024 Nestlé scandal reveals about the future of water quality, and why investors should be paying closer attention. Host: Mike Disabato - MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Cole Martin - MSCI ESG ResearchLink to paper discussed in episode: https://www.msci.com/research-and-insights/blog-post/compound-climate-hazards-pressure-beverage-giants

Controlled companies now outnumber widely held ones. New MSCI research shows that this market shift has significant implications for shareholder returns. Guest: Jonathan Ponder, MSCI ESG ResearchHost: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research

We already know there is a clear link between ESG ratings and the cost of capital. But the question remains: do ESG ratings matter for bonds and their credit spreads? Should fixed income investors care? Listen to this week’s episode to find out!Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Jakub Malich, MSCI ESG ResearchLink to paper discussed in episode: https://www.msci.com/research-and-insights/paper/the-financial-materiality-of-sustainability-risk-in-credit-markets-a-decade-of-evidence

As a new policy landscape emerges in North America, are companies scaling back on sustainability reporting? And will investors go with the flow? Join us as we look at live trends in company disclosures and where the 2025 proxy season is headed. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Julia Morello & Jonathan Ponder, MSCI ESG Research

As the physical risks from climate change grow, so does our reliance on accurate maps to assess them. In this episode, we dig into the limitations of publicly available flood maps and explore how data and modeling in the marketplace have evolved - often surpassing the capabilities of standard public tools. Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Kate Towey, MSCI Climate Risk Center

Let’s venture beyond the portfolio and into the engine room of company performance. In this episode, we explore how ESG Ratings relate to core business fundamentals like profitability, sales variability, and asset turnover. It’s a new piece of a much bigger picture that connects sustainability with financial performance. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Yu Ishihara, MSCI ESG Research

On July 4, the United States enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping tax-and-spending package containing some 35 provisions affecting the energy sector. Here, we highlight the most significant measures and examine how the legislation could reshape energy-investment decisions for both corporations and investors.Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Chris Cote, MSCI ESG Research

Junk food is at the center of the political conversation in America and globally, with discussions about ultra-processed and artificial foods, and the changes we need to make to food, and how hungry we are but none of the food is "good." It is a thing! But what does it mean for food companies? And what does it mean for our social pillar where we look at opportunities in nutrition and health - which assess which companies are likely to meet market demand for products with improved nutritional or health profiles. Listen to find out!Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Cole Martin, MSCI ESG Research

The energy transition isn’t a straight line. Investors are increasingly look to understand where and how emissions create portfolio risk. In this episode, we explore MSCI’s new energy transition framework and take a closer look at materiality-weighted emissions, a new metric that draws a bolder line to company performance. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Chris Cote & Guido Giese, MSCI ESG Research

How is it going with the carbon credit markets? Are they pricing credits accurately? Is the vitally important Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation also known as CORSIA that relies on functioning carbon credit markets working out? Listen to this episode of Sustainability Now to find out!Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Utkarsh Akhouri and Nicholas Baldwin, MSCI Carbon Markets 

Could Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche’s late-stage antibiotic trials signal new hope against antibiotic‐resistant pathogens? On this special REPLAY episode (originally aired August 2024), we take a deep dive into the state of antimicrobial resistance, from hospital wards to farm fields. As these microscopic threats drive up healthcare costs, jeopardize food security, and reshape insurance risk worldwide, understanding the crisis has never been more critical. But while the need to act is clear, the solutions remain complex. In this episode, we examine whether there’s a compelling investment case for fighting back, and what that could mean for the future of global health.Host: Bentley KaplanGuest: Namita Nair

In this episode, we dive deep into the critical role of adaptation finance in helping Asia face the escalating impacts of climate change. As the region experiences rising temperatures and extreme weather events, the demand for resilience-building solutions is greater than ever. With a growing population, rapid urbanization, and a heavy reliance on agriculture, Asia is uniquely vulnerable, but also primed for innovation and growth in climate resilience. Tune in to understand the challenges, opportunities, and investment potential in climate adaptation for Asia’s future.Episode reading list: https://www.msci-institute.com/themes/climate/how-adaptation-finance-can-help-asia-withstand-a-hotter-future/Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Umar Ashfaq, MSCI Sustainability Institute

Tariffs and tangled supply chains: This week, we explore how commercial aerospace and defense companies are navigating a new wave of trade restrictions. From Boeing to Lockheed Martin, what do transparency and oversight mean when the stakes — and the sky —are high? Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG Research

From car factories to aluminum smelters to textiles, the purported goal of the Trump administration is to 'reshore' American manufacturing. Its a goal, in part, supported by his predecessor, Joe Biden, who enacted the CHIPS act to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to America. So, let's say manufacturing does come back and companies expand their current factories to meet demand.  What climate-driven risks—water shortages, extreme heat, or flooding—will these sites face, and where will those hazards hit hardest? We’ll explore the answers on this episode of Sustainability Now!Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Katie Towey, MSCI ESG Research

Newly imposed U.S. tariffs have triggered market volatility and strategic recalibrations across industries. In this episode, we explore the role of supply chain traceability in managing risk — from regulatory exposure to sustainability trade-offs. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Aura Dron, MSCI ESG Research

As I type this, we are in the midst of a market sell off. So, it’s a perfect time to look at what happened to our ESG indexes during the last market sell offs. Worrisome times!Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Xinxin Wang, MSCI ESG Research

Does the defense industry have an ESG problem? Is there such a thing as an ethical bomb? These are questions emerging as the European Union ramps up investment in its defense sector as part of a broader rearmament effort. In this episode, we examine whether these concerns are well-founded or simply a dubious proposition. Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Olga Emelianova, MSCI ESG Research 

Egg prices in the US have soared, but is avian flu the only culprit? This week, we crack open the structural issues in the egg industry, from supply chain vulnerabilities to price-fixing allegations. Plus, what it all means for investors — and your breakfast. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Cole Martin, MSCI ESG Research

In February 2025, the EU Commission proposed the first Omnibus Package of sustainability rules, with the aim of simplifying and reducing EU sustainability reporting requirements. But did it work? Has the outcome been "good" or "bad"? And what are these new rules set to do to the future of sustainable finance in the EU? Listen to this episode of ESG now to find out!NOTE: The first 12:10 of this episode provides a background of what the Omnibus proposal actually proposes. If you just want our takes on the good, the bad, and the future of this proposal, skip that section!Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Simone Ruiz-Vergote, MSCI ESG Research

Banks face growing pressure from regulators to assess the risks climate change poses to their loan portfolios. Some regions, like Europe, are tightening standards, while others, like the U.S., remain hesitant. Our latest research reveals that banks with high exposure to industrials—especially in APAC—could see default risks rise by 50% over the next decade. Will global banks adapt, or are we heading toward a financial blind spot? Find out on this episode of ESG now!Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Anja Ludzuweit and Guilherme de Melo Silva, MSCI ESG Research

Oil and gas are in, renewables are out — at least, that’s what the headlines say. But what’s really happening in energy markets? We take a closer look at shifting U.S. policies, investor reactions, and how global energy trends might shape the future. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Mathew Lee, Chris Cote & Elchin Mammadov, MSCI ESG Research

The quest for higher returns with lower risk is a fundamental principle of successful investing. Study after study shows that investors can use sustainability data to identify more profitable, less risky companies with higher long-term returns. But what about protecting your portfolio from massive drawdowns? Or better yet, seeing which sustainability data points matter most for which industries? Well, you're in luck because that is what this episode is all about!Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Liz Houston and Xinxin Wang, MSCI ESG Research

What are climate scenarios? Can I do them myself, or do I need a supercomputer and an advanced degree to make them work? They are certainly important in this day and age, especially as once-in-a-lifetime destructive events seem to be becoming the norm. That’s why we decided to do an episode demystifying the whole process of climate scenario analysis. Luckily, our guest today, James Edwards, along with his co-authors, Nathan Faigle and Wenmin Li, wrote a practical guide on the topic called How can I use climate scenarios? A practical guide (link below). Thanks to their work, we were able to gather some useful tips on how even we, the humble listener, can conduct our very own climate scenario analysis. Enjoy!Report: https://www.msci-institute.com/insights/comment/how-can-i-use-climate-scenarios-a-practical-guide/Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: James Edwards, MSCI Climate Risk Center

Fires continue to rage in Southern California, destroying homes and businesses and leaving thousands stranded. But Los Angeles and its surrounding areas are unfortunately not unique when it comes to wildfire risk. So where is the next fire likely to be? And what can investors do about it? We discuss on this week's episode of ESG now.Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Katie Towey,  MSCI Climate Risk Center

One of Australia's biggest casinos is in big trouble, plagued by money laundering investigations and a dwindling pool of domestic gamblers. We look at whether the rise of online gambling may make problems like these redundant in future, and what new risks investors may want to be on the lookout for. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: SK Kim, MSCI ESG Research

Join us as we cover the sustainability and climate trends that our team thinks will shape the year head. We talk about the energy transition opportunities that are emerging in private markets, rising social risks and the tech giants, falling data access for AI models and much more. Here’s to a big, intriguing 2025!Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Liz Houston, Namita Nair & Jonathan Ponder, MSCI ESG Research

We put out the world’s first price forecast for Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)! In it we analyzed the potential demand, supply and prices for credits under CORSIA, and how much the scheme could cost the airline industry in terms of higher ticket prices or lower profits. In this episode we explore the reports findings from one of its main authors, Faris Pleho. Enjoy! Report: CORSIA: Costs and Implications for the Airline Industry Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Faris Pleho, MSCI Carbon Markets

What do market participants actually think is going to happen to their assets due to climate change? And when do they expect it? And do they think we will ever abandon fossil fuels? Well to answer those questions (and any others!), you need a survey. Luckily, we've got one! We've linked it below, and created a podcast episode about it. Enjoy!Link to the survey: https://www.msci-institute.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MSI-Survey-Report-061124_2.pdfHost: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Russ Bowdrey, MSCI ESG Research

Energy-hungry data centers are the backbone of AI. And as big tech companies look to meet rising demand for AI capabilities, their emissions are ticking up. So, are net zero ambitions at risk? Or can they be saved by a decades-old energy source in a new guise?Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG ResearchGuests: Yoon Young Chung & Mathew Lee, MSCI ESG Research

VW announced it would shut at least three of its German plants, axe tens of thousands of jobs and slash pay by 10%. This is notable because VW is the powerhouse of Germany which typically has been the EU’s industrial engine – meaning jobs, meaning unions, meaning political might. But this is more than a VW story. It is a story of how the energy transition – the transition from pollutive to non-pollutive forms of economic operations – is upending the global order of established industries. It is the story of the hard tradeoffs we have to make in our effort to cut carbon emissions.In this episode we explore that new world and what it means for the auto industry; an industry many countries and states rely on for their economic driver.Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG ResearchGuest: Yu Ishihara, MSCI ESG Research