ESG regulation

FCA and PRA propose D&I reporting measures

The consultation papers aim to introduce frameworks to measure D&I objectives

EU to sharpen ban on greenwashing

Predominantly aimed at consumers, some rules of new directive could target funds’ marketing communications

In conversation: The real cost of ESG

With a spate of new rules hitting the industry, alongside increasing LP demands, how much does it actually cost to be ESG compliant and how can these efforts be more than just a cost centre?

European Commission opens SFDR consultation

Regulator aims to address shortcomings of legal certainty, usability and potential to counter greenwashing

EFAMA calls for more transparency in ESG ratings framework

The organisation says the European Commission must bring ESG data providers within the regulatory perimeter

Searching for harmony

The Riverside Company's Dörte Höppner assesses the competing ESG standards impacting PE and how they could be more in tune with each other

Comment: Avoiding the tripwires

Pinsent Masons partner Mark Shaw details how to avoid regulatory issues when distributing non-EU funds within the EU

EFRAG to develop sustainability reporting standards

Association to establish voluntary sustainability reporting standards for SMEs outside of the CSRD’s scope

Quality control

CDP’s latest report analyses how a unified global regulatory approach can foster better ESG ratings and data products

Unpacking the EU Commission’s sustainable finance package

Concerns about complexity remain as bloc aligns legislation on sustainable investments and looks to regulate ESG ratings providers

Comment: Baby don’t harm me

Patricia Volhard (partner) and John Young (international counsel) at Debevoise & Plimpton say the concept of ‘do no significant harm' in the SFDR is becoming clearer

Raising the (global) standard

What impact are the ISSB’s disclosure standards expected to have on global sustainability reporting requirements?

Comment: Preparing for regulatory changes in 2023

Ros Clark, regulatory risk assistant director, NatWest Trustee & Depositary Services details the upcoming regulatory changes financial services firms need to prepare for in 2023.

FAP converts debt fund from Article 6 to Article 9

Germany-based fund manager has successfully converted its real estate fund from Article 6 to Article 9.

European Commission updates sustainable finance framework

The Commission has proposed the requirement to regulate ESG ratings providers under ESMA

The Drawdown Awards 2023: Winners announced

Congratulations to all of the winners of The Drawdown Awards 2023

Comment: Does SFDR encourage greenwashing?

Pinsent Masons financial services partner Mark Shaw asks the awkward question

European Commission provides SFDR closure

The latest SFDR update elicits a sigh of relief from GPs as responses to ESAs’ questions are published

The neverending SFDR story

EU’s supervisory authorities look to broaden SFDR disclosure requirements

Climate vs competition: A balancing act

In relatively new territory, GPs must juggle climate-based agreements with competition law risks

FCA updates on SDR consultation

Final policy statement to come in Q3 2023 due to significant amount of responses

Mean green litigation machine

ESG jurisprudence continues to develop as BNP Paribas first private player to be hit with lawsuit

CSSF updates SFDR FAQ

Luxembourg regulator adds three new questions to help clarify SFDR

Profile: Fabio Ranghino, Ambienta

Fabio Ranghino, head of sustainability, shares his thoughts on how financial value can be aligned with impact investing

ESLitiGation

As regulators gear up for ESG enforcement action, private litigation is revving its engines, ready to hit the streets

Column: In defence of SFDR

Dörte Höppner, chief sustainability officer at The Riverside Company, urges the industry to embrace rules designed to combat greenwashing and encourage ESG investment

Comment: Climate-related risks and opportunities – what does PE need to know?

Simon Weaver, partner and co-lead, climate risk and strategy at KPMG in the UK, offers industry-specific guidance to private equity firms following the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures

FCA addresses sustainability regulations ‘alphabet soup’

Regulator requests feedback on sustainability-related governance to help reform industry obligations

Katten launches ESG risk and investigations practice

India D Williams joins firm as practice co-chair with partner Johnjerica Hodge

AMF calls for more stringent SFDR regulations

French financial watchdog proposes the introduction of minimal environmental requirements

Firms’ operations a concern for FCA

Financial watchdog’s recent ‘Dear CEO’ letter holds a lens up to firms’ operational and financial resilience alongside ESG

UK - Same same but different

The UK's similarly named SDR is akin to the EU's SFDR, but it's best to contrast rather than compare

Germany - Wait and see

The regulator’s focus on Article 8 funds and failure to address real concerns leaves the industry frozen

France - Layers and labels

The regulator requires additional disclosures not required by other Member States

Ireland - Our survey says…

The regulator has taken a pragmatic, survey-informed approach

SFDRRRGGHHH!!!

European member states are interpreting and applying incoming esg disclosure rules differently, creating even more confusion and frustration for managers

A question of intent

EFAMA responds to ESA’s consultation on greenwashing, distinguishing between misleading with intent and regulatory uncertainty

Regulatory roadmap 2023

ESG is set to be the biggest bump in the regulatory roadmap for 2023, along with AIFMD and AML reforms in tow

Capital raising punishment: Marketing madness

Compliance and legal obligations for raising a fund have been building steadily in recent years. But given the sudden tightening of the fundraising market, the myriad rules managers must navigate have made capital raising a punishingly cruel exercise.

Column: Smooth operator

In a challenging fundraising environment, operational leaders must ensure the machine room is running smoothly, writes Dörte Höppner, chief sustainability officer at The Riverside Company

UNPRI et al. push for biodiversity

150 financial institutions have called on world leaders to adopt Global Biodiversity Framework at COP15

Edinburgh reforms cement UK financial divergence

The Chancellor of the Exchequer revealed more than 30 regulatory reforms to the UK financial industry to drive competitiveness and growth

Dealbreaker: ESG standards

To retain investors, a high standard for ESG-related disclosure is becoming crucial

PRI welcomes sustainability due diligence legislation

Eurosif and the Investor Alliance for Human Rights among consortium supporting EU proposal; which has issued additional recommendations

CSRD implementation removes GP hurdle

The CSRD has been officially adopted as EU legislation, removing a GP operational burden

Managers downgrading SFDR fund labels

Continued tightening of the SFDR has seen several funds move from Article 9 to Article 8

ESG-related terms: a new circle of confusion

ESMA’s consultation on ESG-related terms risks adding more uncertainty to an already fragmented legal framework

PRI launches human rights initiative

Consortium includes 220 investors with a combined $30trn AuM

Industry alliance calls on PE to support climate change objectives

Consortium requests GPs align their investments with 1.5c pathway and address climate change across all business activities

Investing in new tech is major challenge for GPs

According to a new report from Aztec, 83% of alternative investors are struggling with bringing new technologies into their firms

GP policies under increasing LP scrutiny, says EY

Higher levels of LP scrutiny are arising over risk management, talent retention schemes and ESG policy development across GP firms, according to an EY survey

ESG Enterprise launches digital sustainability solution

The ESG-as-a-service API library aims to help firms move towards their sustainability goals

MJ Hudson expands ESG & Sustainability business to Spain

The company has incorporated a Spanish ESG consulting firm in its development overseas

Profile: Bettina Denis, Revaia

The head of sustainability is passionate about ESG being a symbiotic effort of a GP and its portfolio companies

Broadridge launches SFDR reporting solution

The end-to-end tool aims at supporting asset managers with SFDR-required disclosures

IPEV board opens consultation

GP feedback requested on the association’s latest draft amendments to valuation guidelines

FCA takes stance on greenwashing

Our in-depth analysis of the regulator’s consultation paper unveils increasing complexity of fund categorisation and disclosures coming to private equity

ESG highest regulatory concern

KPMG’s ‘Regulatory Barometer’ has identified the maintenance of financial resilience and regulation of digital finance as second biggest concerns

Column: Tricky maths

Dörte Höppner, chief sustainability officer at the Riverside Company, explores the complexities of collecting ESG data

IPEM 2022: “We need to act with intentionality”

Johnny El Hachem, CEO, Edmond De Rothschild Private Equity, discusses the origins of their conviction investment approach