MSCI unveils tools to measure biodiversity and deforestation risk in portfolios

Screening metrics to launch in 2023

MSCI is set to launch tools to help investors identify companies at risk of contributing to biodiversity loss and deforestation.

The new screening tools, available to asset managers and other institutional investors globally from the start of next year, will combine thousands of ESG and climate data points, overlayed with MSCI's proprietary geolocation data that helps pinpoint a company's operations.  These include the MSCI Biodiversity-Sensitive Areas Screening metrics, which allow investors to identify companies that have physical assets located in areas of high biodiversity relevance, such as  healthy forests, deforestation fronts, or species-rich areas.  The firm will also provide the MSCI Deforestation Scr...