Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

<ul>
<li>The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) recently confirmed important aspects of its proposed sustainability reporting standards. One step closer to a unified standard.</li>
<li>Particularly noteworthy is confirmation that disclosures of Scope 3 emissions will be required. Scope 3 emissions are largely unreported, but account for the majority of total emissions.</li>
<li>Scope 3 disclosure could have repercussions for ESG ratings, ESG indices based on ESG ratings, and potentially (though too soon to tell) reconstutions of exchange-traded funds.</li>
</ul>


The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) recently confirmed important aspects of its proposed sustainability reporting standards. One step closer to a unified standard.
Particularly noteworthy is confirmation that disclosures of Scope 3 emissions will be required. Scope 3 emissions are largely unreported, but account for the majority of total emissions.
Scope 3 disclosure could have repercussions for ESG ratings, ESG indices based on ESG ratings, and potentially (though too soon to tell) reconstutions of exchange-traded funds.


ISSB Affirms Scope 3 Emissions Reporting Requirements and Investor-Centric Focus

<ul>
<li>After its IPO, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-energy-solution" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33464:1" rel="noopener">LG Energy Solution (LGENERGY KS)</a> is destined for inclusion in various indexes, from broad market indexes to countless sustainable/ESG niche indexes.</li>
<li>The sustainable/ESG index niche includes a growing number of EV/EV battery-themes indexes in large part because of the climate-importance of decarbonising transportation.</li>
<li>Indexing leader <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/msci-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17865:1" rel="noopener">MSCI (MSCI US)</a> publishes a number general sustainable/ESG indexes relevant to LGES, and small number of thematic indexes like the Future Mobility Index.</li>
</ul>


After its IPO, LG Energy Solution (LGENERGY KS) is destined for inclusion in various indexes, from broad market indexes to countless sustainable/ESG niche indexes.
The sustainable/ESG index niche includes a growing number of EV/EV battery-themes indexes in large part because of the climate-importance of decarbonising transportation.
Indexing leader MSCI (MSCI US) publishes a number general sustainable/ESG indexes relevant to LGES, and small number of thematic indexes like the Future Mobility Index.


LG Energy Solution (Pre-IPO ESG Analysis): Relevant Thematic Sustainable/ESG Indices from MSCI

Writing about High Quality Companies, Enlightened Capital

Enlightened Capital

Writing about High Quality Companies

I have more than 8 years of investing experience across Equities and Fixed Income (Investment Grade/High Yield). I have largely focused on Financials, Energy, and Utilities professionally, but I am interested in exploring new sectors to find attractive opportunities. Right now, the Payments sector is occupying much of my time.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>MSCI’s roots date back to 1969, when Capital Group pioneered the development of global equity indexes and began licensing its first index.</li><li>Since its IPO on 11/14/2007, MSCI has generated an exceptional total return of 3,732% substantially outperforming the 316% total return for the S&amp;P 500</li><li>While MSCI represents the type of high-quality business I would like to own, I believe MSCI’s quality attributes and growth prospects are currently priced in</li></ul>

MSCI’s roots date back to 1969, when Capital Group pioneered the development of global equity indexes and began licensing its first index.Since its IPO on 11/14/2007, MSCI has generated an exceptional total return of 3,732% substantially outperforming the 316% total return for the S&amp;P 500While MSCI represents the type of high-quality business I would like to own, I believe MSCI’s quality attributes and growth prospects are currently priced in

<ul>
<li>On 23 November, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) released a framework aimed at greater oversight and accountability of ESG ratings and data providers.</li>
<li>Generally, this is a positive for ESG investing. Implications for specific stocks, however, are still vague and depend on how regional regulators interpret and implement IOSCO's suggestions.</li>
<li>That said, one of IOSCO's concerns – conflicts of interest – could affect certain ESG ratings and data providers, especially those owned by the "Big Three" credit rating agencies.</li>
</ul>


On 23 November, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) released a framework aimed at greater oversight and accountability of ESG ratings and data providers.
Generally, this is a positive for ESG investing. Implications for specific stocks, however, are still vague and depend on how regional regulators interpret and implement IOSCO's suggestions.
That said, one of IOSCO's concerns – conflicts of interest – could affect certain ESG ratings and data providers, especially those owned by the "Big Three" credit rating agencies.


ESG Ratings and Data Providers Subject to Greater Oversight Under IOSCO Framework

In a recently published report (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/cop26-u-n-climate-conference-to-address-mitigation-financing-and-carbon-pricing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:59779" rel="noopener">COP26: U.N. Climate Conference to Address Mitigation, Financing, and Carbon Pricing</a>) I mentioned how the COP26 international climate conference (31 October to 12 November) will have far-reaching implications for global capital markets and investing.That Insight was largely about the COP26 conference itself – background, objectives, three critical agenda items with trillions of dollars at stake, and that will influence global financial markets from today (headlines coming out of the conference) through the end of this century.That report was necessary context for this Insight and others that will follow; successively deeper dives into country-specific climate action plans, and investment themes and trading ideas around the COP26 conference and climate change in general. This is the first of those follow-up reports.Herein, I present a brief overview of investment themes and angles directly linked to the three key COP26 agenda items: 1) mitigation of global warming, 2) climate finance, and 3) the development of international carbon markets and pricing mechanisms. Themes and subthemes such as:<ul>
<li>
Climate Transition: "Green" utilities, renewable energy, cleantech, electric vehicles and other areas of smart mobility, green buildings, and related. The "buy solar, sell coal" kinds of stuff.</li>
<li>
Climate Financing: Financial sector stocks poised to benefit from climate change mitigation, reduced risk from portfolio debarbonisation, and new inflows into sustainable/ESG funds.</li>
<li>
Carbon Markets: Pure-play (or close thereto) carbon capture and storage/sequestration (CCS) stocks, plus a few financial sector overlaps (e.g., related to carbon markets, futures, etc.)</li>
</ul>

In a recently published report (COP26: U.N. Climate Conference to Address Mitigation, Financing, and Carbon Pricing) I mentioned how the COP26 international climate conference (31 October to 12 November) will have far-reaching implications for global capital markets and investing.That Insight was largely about the COP26 conference itself – background, objectives, three critical agenda items with trillions of dollars at stake, and that will influence global financial markets from today (headlines coming out of the conference) through the end of this century.That report was necessary context for this Insight and others that will follow; successively deeper dives into country-specific climate action plans, and investment themes and trading ideas around the COP26 conference and climate change in general. This is the first of those follow-up reports.Herein, I present a brief overview of investment themes and angles directly linked to the three key COP26 agenda items: 1) mitigation of global warming, 2) climate finance, and 3) the development of international carbon markets and pricing mechanisms. Themes and subthemes such as:

Climate Transition: "Green" utilities, renewable energy, cleantech, electric vehicles and other areas of smart mobility, green buildings, and related. The "buy solar, sell coal" kinds of stuff.

Climate Financing: Financial sector stocks poised to benefit from climate change mitigation, reduced risk from portfolio debarbonisation, and new inflows into sustainable/ESG funds.

Carbon Markets: Pure-play (or close thereto) carbon capture and storage/sequestration (CCS) stocks, plus a few financial sector overlaps (e.g., related to carbon markets, futures, etc.)


COP26: An Overview of Investment Themes and Catalysts Related to COP26 Conference

United States

MSCI Inc. provides investment decision support tools to investment institutions worldwide. The Company produces indices and risk and return portfolio analytics for use in managing investment portfolios.

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MSCI Inc (MSCI US)

ISSB Affirms Scope 3 Emissions Reporting Requirements and Investor-Centric Focus

Confirmation of key aspects of the ISSB sustainability reporting standards bring us one step closer to a single, investor-centric reporting...

Kyle Rudden

LG Energy Solution (Pre-IPO ESG Analysis): Relevant Thematic Sustainable/ESG Indices from MSCI

LG Energy Solution is destined for inclusion in countless indexes, from broad market indexes to thematic sustainable/ESG indexes such as MSCI's...

Kyle Rudden

MSCI Deep Dive

MSCI’s roots date back to 1969, when Capital Group pioneered the development of global equity indexes and began licensing its first index....

Enlightened Capital

ESG Ratings and Data Providers Subject to Greater Oversight Under IOSCO Framework

ESG ratings and data are largely unregulated, despite growing relevance to capital markets. That is why IOSCO decided it is time for greater...

Kyle Rudden

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

ISSB Affirms Scope 3 Emissions Reporting Requirements and Investor-Centric Focus

Confirmation of key aspects of the ISSB sustainability reporting standards bring us one step closer to a single, investor-centric reporting...

Kyle Rudden

LG Energy Solution (Pre-IPO ESG Analysis): Relevant Thematic Sustainable/ESG Indices from MSCI

LG Energy Solution is destined for inclusion in countless indexes, from broad market indexes to thematic sustainable/ESG indexes such as MSCI's...

Kyle Rudden

MSCI Deep Dive

MSCI’s roots date back to 1969, when Capital Group pioneered the development of global equity indexes and began licensing its first index....

Enlightened Capital

ESG Ratings and Data Providers Subject to Greater Oversight Under IOSCO Framework

ESG ratings and data are largely unregulated, despite growing relevance to capital markets. That is why IOSCO decided it is time for greater...

Kyle Rudden

COP26: An Overview of Investment Themes and Catalysts Related to COP26 Conference

COP26, the climate conference happening now, will impact global capital markets. Perhaps over the next two weeks, depending on headlines, but...

Kyle Rudden