Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Fixed Income's 2022 ESG engagement report

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income's 2022 ESG engagement report highlights transparency as the bedrock of sustainable finance

Transparency should be the bedrock of sustainable finance, while engagement is the essence of a transparent flow of information between issuers, investors and other market participants.

David Zahn, Head of European Fixed Income, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income says: “Through our engagements we are committing to the development of a sustainable finance ecosystem that delivers the best results for everyone involved.”

The latest ESG engagement report’s main themes include:

  1. Transparency, which is key for improving data quality. As the importance of non-financial metrics increases due to client demand, more types of data—quantitative, qualitative, and spatial—are being integrated into the decision-making process to fully grasp environmental and social impacts and dependencies.
  2. Most companies adopt certain best practices, improving technical capabilities and disclosure language. Lagging issuers are at a disadvantage from the perspective of ESG-oriented investors, as asset managers will continue to conduct annual engagements to fulfill both the expectations of their clients and regulators.
  3. The energy transition is likely the most urgent step in mitigating climate change. Issuers are undertaking various projects which entail not only investing in the deployment of well-known renewable energy sources, but also smart electricity and gas grids that allow for efficient integration of low-carbon and renewable sources into the network.
  4. Climate change is interconnected with the biodiversity crisis. Commitments from the public and private sectors to curb biodiversity loss, as well as the dependencies and impact of business sectors on nature, affirm to us that it must be factored into portfolios.
  5. Societies around the globe are weathering violent and uncertain conditions related to health, safety, rule of law and the rising cost of living.

Download the full paper


 

Leave a Comment:


banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Vale Graham Hand

It’s with heavy hearts that we announce Firstlinks’ co-founder and former Managing Editor, Graham Hand, has died aged 66. Graham was a legendary figure in the finance industry and here are three tributes to him.

The nuts and bolts of family trusts

There are well over 800,000 family trusts in Australia, controlling more than $3 trillion of assets. Here's a guide on whether a family trust may have a place in your individual investment strategy.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 583 with weekend update

Investing guru Howard Marks says he had two epiphanies while visiting Australia recently: the two major asset classes aren’t what you think they are, and one key decision matters above all else when building portfolios.

  • 24 October 2024

Warren Buffett is preparing for a bear market. Should you?

Berkshire Hathaway’s third quarter earnings update reveals Buffett is selling stocks and building record cash reserves. Here’s a look at his track record in calling market tops and whether you should follow his lead and dial down risk.

Preserving wealth through generations is hard

How have so many wealthy families through history managed to squander their fortunes? This looks at the lessons from these families and offers several solutions to making and keeping money over the long-term.

A big win for bank customers against scammers

A recent ruling from The Australian Financial Complaints Authority may herald a new era for financial scams. For the first time, a bank is being forced to reimburse a customer for the amount they were scammed.

Latest Updates

Shares

Looking beyond banks for dividend income

The Big Four banks have had an extraordinary run and it’s left income investors with a conundrum: to stick with them even though they now offer relatively low dividend yields and limited growth prospects or to look elsewhere.

Exchange traded products

AFIC on its record discount, passive investing and pricey stocks

A triple headwind has seen Australia's biggest LIC swing to a 10% discount and scuppered its relative performance. Management was bullish in an interview with Firstlinks, but is the discount ever likely to close?

Superannuation

Hidden fees are a super problem

Most Australians don’t realise they are being charged up to six different types of fees on their superannuation. These fees can be opaque and hard to compare across different funds and investment options.

Shares

ASX large cap outlook for 2025

Economic growth in Australia looks to have bottomed, which means it makes sense to selectively add to cyclical exposures on the ASX in addition to key thematics like decarbonisation and technological change.

Property

Taking advantage of the property cycle

Understanding the property cycle can be a useful tool to make informed decisions and stay focused on long-term goals. This looks at where we are in the commercial property cycle and the potential opportunities for investors.

Investment strategies

Is this bedrock of financial theory a mirage?

The concept of an 'equity risk premium' has driven asset allocation decisions for decades. A revamped study suggests it was a relatively short-lived phenomenon rather than the mainstay many thought.

Vale Graham Hand

It’s with heavy hearts that we announce Firstlinks’ co-founder and former Managing Editor, Graham Hand, has died aged 66. Graham was a legendary figure in the finance industry and here are three tributes to him.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.