Responsible Investment

ESG knowledge shared: June 2021

Keep up to date with responsible investing in our monthly roundup of highlights – interesting events, articles we’re reading, podcasts and more.

June 2021

Responsible investment is continuously evolving, driven by the research and insight that fuels new discussions. Keep up to date on your responsible investing knowledge using our external ‘top picks’ of content. See what content our team have enjoyed in the last month and access thinking across third party events, articles, video and more.

Climate change

The Climate Solution Actually Adding Millions of Tons of CO₂ Into the Atmosphere

For anyone who thought carbon offsetting would be a way out, think twice. Many offsets are fake, so we must be careful when considering offsetting in Net Zero 2050 pledges.

Climate scientists: concept of net zero is a dangerous trap

An important reminder from climate scientists that net zero is a deceptively simple term. Current net zero policies will not keep warming to within the crucial 1.5°C requirement because they were never intended to: they were and still are driven by a need to protect business as usual, not the climate. The scientists argue that sustained cuts to carbon emissions need to happen now to protect the future of human life on Earth.

Cleaning Up – Leadership in an age of climate change

Michael Liebreich, Chairman and CEO of clean energy and transportation consultancy Liebreich Associates, sits down each week for a conversation (and a drink) with leaders in clean energy, mobility, climate finance and sustainable development to discuss the climate transition.

Ice Rivers – a story of glaciers, wilderness and people, histories entwined, at a moment when their relationship is about to change forever

Professor Jemma Wadham – one of the world’s leading glaciologists – provides a powerful eye-witness account from the frontline of the climate crisis, discussing how our glaciers are in peril and disturbing surrounding ecosystems. With massive methane emissions potentially bubbling up from below melting glaciers, the potential consequences for humanity are dire.

Metals + Mining

Rusal plans spin-off in green aluminium push

Russian aluminium producer Rusal – a key player in the notoriously hard-to-abate, high carbon footprint aluminium industry – has announced plans to demerge its smelters and refineries to focus on ‘green’ aluminium instead. Is this out of a genuine strategic belief the growth area of the future is green… Or is it a smart way to shed greyish assets into obscure companies to evade responsible investment scrutiny?

Australian mine contractor fails to obtain insurance on ESG concerns

BMD Group, which is working on the controversial Adani Enterprises’ Carmichael mine, has failed to secure insurance owing to environmental concerns – a stark example of how financing fuel in Australia has dried up thanks to environmental, social and governance concerns.

Social issues

Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop & Power

Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock discusses her experience as the only Black member of the band and more generally as a Black woman in the music industry, to explore racism within the industry. Throughout, she works to understand how she can use her platform and privilege to combat the racism she sees around her.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please be aware that there are links in this content that direct you away from the BMO website. By clicking on these links you are leaving BMO and entering a third party’s website. As such, BMO is not liable for its content.

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Responsible Investment

5 min read

May 2022

Searching for solutions: an update on bee-harming pesticides

Read our update on the controversial use of bee-harming pesticides in agriculture – and whether there are any suitable solutions.

Global Equities

4 min read

May 2022

Investing in our blue planet

The world’s oceans are in crisis, and investors have a critical role to play in resolving this

Responsible Investment

3 min read

April 2022

Principles for carbon offsetting

We outline our principles on when companies should use carbon offsets and explore our engagement with businesses, especially in high impact sectors.

Responsible Investment

2 min read

March 2022

Nature as an ally: tackling the climate-nature nexus

We explore how nature can be a powerful ally in the fight against climate change.

Responsible Investment

4 min read

March 2022

Future proofing – Indian companies addressing the climate challenge

India’s committed to net zero by 2070. We examine how businesses are adapting their practices, explore progress made and highlight the role we play as investors in tackling climate change through allocation of capital and engagement.

Global Equities

4 min read

March 2022

Investing with impact in mind – 3 years of our SDG Engagement Global Equity Strategy

Using the SDGs as a roadmap to a better future and a framework for investing with a view to delivering positive impact alongside financial returns.

ESG knowledge shared: June 2021

Responsible Investment Team

Climate change

The Climate Solution Actually Adding Millions of Tons of CO₂ Into the Atmosphere

Climate scientists: concept of net zero is a dangerous trap

Cleaning Up – Leadership in an age of climate change

Ice Rivers – a story of glaciers, wilderness and people, histories entwined, at a moment when their relationship is about to change forever

Metals + Mining

Rusal plans spin-off in green aluminium push

Australian mine contractor fails to obtain insurance on ESG concerns