Episode 3: How finance can boost climate action and social justice

02/10/21 • 20 min

Esther Pan Sloane, Head of the Partnerships, Policy and Communications at the UN Capital Development Fund, reflects on how businesses, consumers and investors are embracing social justice and climate targets.

In this episode, Esther discusses ESG commitments from a macro and micro perspective. She shares the inside view of how nations came together to set ambitious and wide-ranging UN sustainable development goals. And she explains the steps her NYC-based family take, from composting to personal investments.

“I would ask every person to think about their own ability to act,” says Esther. “Please consider yourself and your power as an individual to direct your assets towards companies and activities that are consistent with your values”.

This is the third episode in our 30 For Net Zero 30 series. In each episode, Ashurst partner Anna-Marie Slot speaks with climate action champions across the globe about real steps to take now towards 2030 goals.

Find out more about our podcast channels on Ashurst.com/podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Find out more about our podcast channels on Ashurst.com/podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Previous Episode

Episode 2: Measuring, reporting and predicting ESG performance

While awareness is growing about the unsustainable nature of the financial system, many corporates struggle with quantifying (and predicting) their impact. In this episode, Arcturus CEO Jonathan McCullagh discusses how data analytics help organisations understand the risks embedded in their portfolios and engage with stakeholders in a more meaningful way.

The conversation explores recent developments in sustainability reporting and tackles the need for transparency, taxonomy and fulsome disclosure through the value chain. Jonathan also reflects on the step change he’s seeing on the part of asset owners, investment managers, and banks seeking to align with the Paris Agreement targets.

This is the second episode in our 30 For Net Zero 30 series. In each episode, Ashurst partner Anna-Marie Slot speaks with climate action champions across the globe about real steps to take now towards 2030 goals.

Find out more about our podcast channels on Ashurst.com/podcasts

To find out more about Jonathan and Arcturus, visit Arcturus.io
The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Episode

Episode 4: Steering ASEAN nations towards net zero

Eugene Wong, CEO at the Sustainable Finance Institute Asia, discusses climate action from a macro and micro perspective. Along the way, he shares some astute ESG observations for policymakers, business leaders, investors and citizens.

“There is a need to connect the financial sector and the real economy in a mutually reinforcing manner to promote sustainability,” says Eugene, who also adds: “Everyone needs to start their net zero journey today, because tomorrow is simply too late.”

The wide-ranging conversation explores grassroots climate activism, reveals how the legal system is holding governments to account, and looks at strategies for ASEAN nations to steer towards net zero targets. (Eugene also explains why it’s significant that his mother is talking about climate change!)

This is the fourth episode in our 30 For Net Zero 30 series. In each episode, Ashurst partner Anna-Marie Slot speaks with climate action champions across the globe about real steps to take now towards 2030 goals.

Find out more about our podcast channels on Ashurst.com/podcasts

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.