ESG - Environmental, social and governance

The global health crisis and the materialisation of non-financial risks all over the globe shed some new light on the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability matters. The topic is about to become even more actual for every asset manager.

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[NEW] ESG in the banking and insurance sectors - Key milestones - Timeline

The ESG framework for the banking and insurance sectors is vast and complex, with many intertwining legal texts and obligations that vary in scope and compliance deadline. To meet this challenge and stay ahead of the game, you should know about key ESG milestones – and contact our experts if you need assistance! [Last updated on 25/08/2022]

[NEW] ESG Due Diligence Manager

Arendt offers an ESG due diligence tool that allows private companies and asset managers to analyse their ESG performance.

You wish to accelerate your transition to sustainability? Check how our new web-based due diligence tool can help you.

Eyes on ESG

To better understand all the challenges and issues related to ESG and sustainable finance, our experts have put together a new series of videos that tackles specific regulations and concepts on the ESG topic.
Each week, discover a new topic where our experts will guide you through your sustainable journey.

Episode 1: RTS revised

On 22 October 2021, the ESAs finally published the Final Report on sustainability-related disclosures, including taxonomy-related disclosures. This Final Report provides us with the amendments to the mandatory templates for financial products, reflecting the additional disclosures applicable to Article 5 and Article 6 products under the TR. Many points that had kept the industry wondering for most of 2021 have been now clarified.

Overall the SFDR related rules remain largely unchanged, expect for some reordering of some sections in the templates.

Learn more with Antoine Peter by watching our dedicated video:

Episode 2: Introducing the EU Taxonomy

The aim of the EU Taxonomy is to create an EU-wide classification system, establishing a list of sustainable economic activities. The idea is to provide companies, investors and policymakers with a science-based transparency tool to recognise economic activities that contribute substantially to sustainability objectives.

Learn more by watching our dedicated video:

Learn more with Valérian de Jamblinne de Meux by watching our dedicated video:

Episode 3: The EU Taxonomy in practice

The EU Taxonomy is a complex tool that can be used for screening economic activities. In practice it follows a detailed step by step process highlighted in this case study.

Learn more with Valérian de Jamblinne de Meux by watching our dedicated video:

Episode 4: Reporting obligations under SFDR and Taxonomy

With the new regulatory framework on sustainable finance come new periodic reporting obligations. From principal adverse impact to taxonomy alignment reporting the requirements are various and have different deadlines. Quite a challenge!

Learn more with Frank Brülin by watching our dedicated video:

Episode 5: UCITS, AIFMD and ESG

The revision of the AIFMD and of the UCITS Directive to introduce sustainability-related requirements illustrates that this is not just a separated other piece of regulation. It affects the core functions of all asset managers regardless of the characteristics or objectives of their products. Everybody is concerned!

Learn more with Antoine Portelange by watching our dedicated video:

Episode 6: Sustainability Risks

Sustainability risks are broad and varied by definition, with different probability of occurrence and severity of impact. How can we, through materiality assessments, identify, quantify, monitor and mitigate the likely impact of these risks on the value of any investment?

Learn more with Alexandre Brajou by watching our dedicated video:

Episode 7: MiFID and ESG

Financial intermediaries like banks and investment firms have to adapt their services and processes to accommodate ESG.

Discover how with our Partner Nicolas Deldime in this dedicated video.

Episode 8: Sustainable investments

What is the EU definition of sustainable investment?
What are the three key aspects that determine whether an investment is sustainable in accordance to the EU regulation?

Learn more on this topic with our Partner Stéphane Badey during this dedicated video part of our series Eyes on ESG.

Episode 9: DNSH and PAI

As seen in the last video of our series, the method for showing whether an investment is “sustainable” within the meaning of the EU Regulation is very strict.

A key step, and one of the most challenging, is demonstrating compliance with the “do no significant harm” principle, or DNSH.

Because of the technical screening criteria this step is relatively straightforward for Taxonomy-eligible investments, but it can be a little bit more challenging and flexible for non-Taxonomy-eligible investments.

	Episode 10: CSRD and NFRD Our previous video explained which economic activities qualify as environmentally sustainable. Now, we will look at what non-financial reporting is required of non-financial companies. Who is concerned? What information must be disclosed, and when? Discover how with our expert Olivier Deneumoustier in this dedicated video.

	Episode 11: Green Bonds What are the requirements for a product to be labelled a green bond? What kind of information must be disclosed to investors? How involved should the board of directors be in supervising the use of the proceeds during the bonds’ lifetime? Learn more with our expert Laura Archange in this dedicated video.

	Episode 12: ESG deadlines for 2022 Sustainable finance is a rapidly evolving area that has kept the industry extremely busy over the last few years. This year will be no different, with many fast-approaching regulatory deadlines. Have a look at the main deadlines for the year ahead with Antoine Peter in this dedicated video.

	Episode 13: Banking and ESG For banks, ESG is no longer a buzzword: it’s a permanent part of the legal framework. Learn more about this topic with Laura Archange in this dedicated video part of our Eyes on ESG series.

About ESG

SFDR

SFDR, Taxonomy, NFRD - The three musketeers of sustainable finance

In mid-March of 2021, ESAs published a consultation paper regarding the Taxonomy-related disclosures for financial products in the context of the SFDR. On the 21st of April 2021, the EU Commission published the “April Package”. Among other things, it includes:

the final technical screening criteria of the Taxonomy,
the revision of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Learn more with Antoine Peter in this video:

Statements by the CSSF on the application of the SFDR

[23/03/21] European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) have published a new version of the draft Regulatory Technical Standards under the SFDR. In a press release dated 12 March 2021, the CSSF encouraged market participants to already begin referring to the new draft RTS when applying the SFDR. More details in this short video with Antoine Portelange.

Sustainability

Q&A: The world of sustainability - an introductory video on this key topic.

Sustainability-related disclosures in the financial sector will become mandatory, as indicated on the timeline below.

Fast-track for sustainability-related disclosures

Environment

Why funds and managers should already be thinking about ESG requirements

In response to growing concerns over climate change, and as part of broader efforts to connect finance with the specific needs of the European and global economy for the benefit of the planet and our society, sustainability considerations are more and more integrated into companies policies.

ESG and sustainable finance

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OUR OFFER

> learn more about Arendt ESG toolbox for asset managers here_

> contact our dedicated team: sustainability@arendt.com_

NEWS

>09/07/2021 RTS revised

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