Today’s ESG updates cover rising demand for legal ESG expertise amid a preparedness gap, increased funding for sustainable investments, new guidance to help aviation meet ESG goals, and a Canadian investor survey revealing strong interest in ESG ratings despite clarity challenges.
ESG legal demand surges, but experts are hard to find
A new Wolters Kluwer survey reveals that while demand for ESG legal expertise is growing, there is a preparation gap: 68% of legal professionals report increasing demand for ESG expertise, yet only 41% of corporate legal teams and 29% of law firms feel “very prepared”. Drivers include regulatory complexity, ESG data challenges, and standards expectations. To catch up to the demand, both legal departments and firms are investing in ESG training and establishing dedicated ESG units.
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Further reading: ESG legal demand rising, preparedness gap
Verdane’s Idun II fund hits €700m, doubling down on green investments
Verdane’s new Idun II fund closed at €700 million, twice the size of its previous fund, and targets companies driving the energy transition and resource efficiency. Committed to sustainability, the European investment firm aims to avoid at least 5,000 tons of CO₂ per invested million. With strong global investor interest, Verdane is set to support businesses leading the way in decarbonisation.
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Further reading: Verdane closes Idun II at €700 million hard cap to back companies that will create a more sustainable future
New guidance to help aviation industry advance ESG compliance
Watson Farley & Williams, an international law firm, has released an article after consulting many major aviation companies to help guide other players in the aviation industry toward greater ESG compliance. The article is alphabetically organised and includes advice on Sustainability-Linked Financing (SLF) to meet ESG targets, investing in fuel-efficient aircraft to meet emissions standards, and using the AWG Carbon Calculator for accurate carbon reporting.
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Further reading: THE ABC OF ESG FOR AIRCRAFT LESSORS
OSC study reveals ESG ratings increasingly influence investor choices
A recent Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) study shows ESG ratings are crucial for investors, ranking just behind fund performance. Regardless, retail investors face significant challenges due to non-standardised ESG measurements. In the study, the OSC suggests standardising ESG ratings to aid decision-making and training of financial advisors in ESG. While investors need to be educated to spot greenwashing, another way is through consistent, intelligent ESG rating software.
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Further reading: OSC study finds ESG ratings greatly influence investor decisions but are difficult to understand
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: TUREK90
