Global professional services firm PwC announced today the release of the PwC 2021 Global Investor ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. Survey, a new research report investigating investors’ opinions on issues including ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. investing, companies’ sustainability performance and the state of ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. reporting and disclosure. PwC surveyed 325 investors from around the world for the study, and conducted 40 in-depth interviews with investors and analysts.
The results of the survey indicate that the integration of ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. considerations in the investment process has become mainstream, with a large majority investors indicating that a company’s management of ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. risks is an important factor in investment decision making, but a lack of clear and consistent reporting making assessment of companies’ ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. performance challenging.
ESG integration and priorities
According to the PwC survey, ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. considerations are top of mind for investors, with 79% reporting that a company’s management of ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. risks is an important factor in their investment decision making, nearly half reporting that lack of action on ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. by a portfolio company could lead to divestment, and 57% indicating that they would vote against director appointments due to insufficient action on ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. issues.
Investors also discussed their key ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. focus areas, with climate – specifically the reduction of operational emissions – topping the list of priority issues reported (65%), followed by worker health and safety (44%) and workforce and executive diversity, equity and inclusion (37%).
Despite the increased focus on ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments., investors are not willing to trade investment returns for sustainability performance. 49% reported that they would not be willing to accept a lower rate of return in exchange for societal or environmentalEnvironmental criteria consider how a company performs as a steward of nature. benefit, and 81% would not be willing to accept a greater than 1% reduction in returns.
James Chalmers, Global Assurance Leader, PwC UK, said:
“Our research shows investors are simultaneously focused on short-term results as well as the longer-term societal issues that can create both risks and opportunities for their investments. It is clear that investors expect ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. to be an integral part of corporate strategy. That includes making expenditures to address ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. issues, while clearly communicating the rationale and benefits to the business strategy. If investors don’t see that commitment, they won’t hesitate to take action and that can include divesting their position in a company and taking their clients’ money elsewhere.”
Transparency
As ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. considerations become more important for investors, the need for improved data and reporting by companies is coming into focus. While 83% of respondents want ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. reporting to provide detailed information about progress toward ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. goals, only a third currently rate the quality of existing reporting as good.
The survey also lends support to ongoing efforts to establish unified sustainability disclosure standards, with 74% indicating that a single set of ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. reporting standards would help their decision-making.
Nadja Picard, Global Reporting Leader, PwC Germany, said:
“Our survey reinforces the need for a single set of globally aligned sustainability reporting standards. Without global standards, investors are severely challenged in evaluating ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. performance. It is also much more difficult for companies to report on ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. performance without common benchmarks or frameworks to follow. As a result, companies today need to leverage the best of existing standards, focusing at least initially on the topic of climate, to respond to urgent investor demand.”
Accountability and executive compensation
Investors also indicated a need by companies for accountability on ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments.. Two thirds reported more confidence in companies’ handling of ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. risks if someone in the C-Suite is accountable, and 68% said that ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. performance measures should be included in executive pay arrangements.
Emma Cox, Global Climate Leader, PwC UK, said:
“ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. cannot be an afterthought, it must be an integral part of corporate strategy. Tone from the top helps to cascade the importance of ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. throughout the business. Demonstrating ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. commitment and performance also requires a holistic approach to reporting, with sustainability, risk and financial reporting teams working together. Ultimately, our research shows that to meet the demands of investors, companies need to take their ESG-related performance as seriously as they do all of their business and financial metrics.”
Click here to access the results of the PwC 2021 Global Investor ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. Survey
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