Private equity firms, asset managers, institutional investors, family offices, foundations and corporates are all becoming increasingly aware of their responsibilities to the environment and society and are facing significant headwinds as demand increases for ESG-integrated investments post-COVID-19 and in an evolving regulatory landscape.
That's the view of Ogier's head of ESG, partner Kate Hodson, whose panel 'ESG: How to quantify it and measure up to your peers?' discussed trends in ESG investing, data gaps, regulatory developments and harmonisation of standards at the HFM Asia Forum earlier this month.
Kate said: "How to quantify ESG and measure up to your peers is particularly topical in the context of a recent consultation paper released by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission regarding proposed amendments to the Fund Manager Code of Conduct (FMCC) to require fund managers to consider climate-related risks in their investment processes.
"The EU regulatory changes under the Action Plan for Financing Sustainable Growth and the proposed amendments to the FMCC in Hong Kong are some recent examples.
"Ogier recognises environmental and social issues are becoming a business risk and clients are taking note. As a firm we are committed to empowering our clients to manage ESG risks and enhancing value. We are the first offshore law firm to establish a dedicated ESG and Impact advisory practice.
"An exciting development is that Leonie Kelly has recently joined Ogier Global to lead ESG and Impact Advisory Services to our clients, including to fund management firms. As a respected voice in the industry with more than 12 years' experience as an expert in sustainable finance, Leonie is well placed to assist clients across the broad spectrum of ESG and impact solutions. Ogier ESG and Impact will work with clients to integrate ESG factors into operations and investment processes, and to navigate the ESG policy and regulatory landscape."
Originally Published by Ogier, November 2020
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