A tangled web to unweave: The long road ahead to streamlining the world's diverse ESG regulations

Spearheading 'industrialisation of ESG investment'

The progress of industrial revolutions rarely follows a neat, linear path. Instead, we typically see periodic spikes of innovation, prompted by some external factor, followed by the introduction of standardised manufacturing processes yielding greater productivity and efficiency, and leading to a step change in industry norms.

While images of smoking chimneys may not immediately resonate with the concept of ESG investment, there are many parallels. We find ourselves on the cusp of a period of transformation in this area - specifically in how ESG investment is managed and supported. The past few years have seen a groundswell of interest in ESG investment. According to the most recent public report, as of 2018, there was more than $30.7trn in global sustainable assets under management across five major markets (see graphic, below). Greater accountability sought Enthusiasm from investors, buoyed by ESG i...