ESG hits the front pages

04/13/21 • 37 min

In this bonus episode, Ashurst partner Anna-Marie Slot chats with Patrick Temple-West from The Financial Times in New York.

Patrick recounts his journey as a reporter and the shift he’s seen from ESG being dismissed as PR spin to it being taken more seriously in business, media and politics. He describes how shareholder voices on ESG are forcing businesses to act and editors to pay attention.

As a journalist, Patrick applies a healthy dose of scepticism when businesses make bold claims about their ESG credentials. In our podcast, he talks about seeking out specific actions that back up these claims, including the “pinch points” where institutions accept short-term downsides, in order to achieve long-term ESG targets and benefits.

Patrick also highlights the big stories he’ll be following and reporting on this year, and he explains why the ‘G’ in ESG could grab the most headlines.

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.

In this bonus episode, Ashurst partner Anna-Marie Slot chats with Patrick Temple-West from The Financial Times in New York.

Patrick also highlights the big stories he’ll be following and reporting on this year, and he explains why the ‘G’ in ESG could grab the most headlines.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Previous Episode

How and why ESG is becoming business as usual

In this bonus episode, Ashurst partner Anna-Marie Slot chats with Responsible Risk Ltd founder Richard Peers about the past, present and future of sustainable finance.

Peers emphasises that the capability now exists to increase transparency in the circular economy. “We need to put a sort of vaccine shot in the arm of our response to data needs for climate change by bringing in satellite and sensor data, normalising it and making it available so that really good risk decisions can be made,” he says.

Peers also explains how there needs to be a virtuous circle of consumer demand influencing policy change influencing corporate action. He also discusses recent data indicating that ethical organisations deliver better returns for investors. Ten years from now, Peers suggests, sustainable finance and ESG will be embedded in every investment decision that is made.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Episode

McLaren’s race to zero emissions

In this bonus episode, Ashurst's Global Sustainability Partner Anna-Marie Slot speaks with McLaren Racing Chief Communications Officer Tim Bampton about unpicking the gas guzzling image of Formula 1 racing.

Bampton explores a few myths about Formula 1 racing, emphasising that the industry is using engines at the cutting edge of thermal efficiency and changing its logistics carbon footprint which accounts for 60% of its total carbon emissions. Bampton also explains the need for positive impact and leadership in the lead-up and after the 2030 target is reached. He is hopeful that McLaren can beat the 2030 target by implementing its strategy to be a sustainable team by imbedding sustainability into every decision it makes.

Ashurst is proud to be the Official Legal Services Partner to the McLaren Group. Together we are driving extraordinary performance.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.