Despite the proliferation of investment vehicles for environmental markets, business strategies reflecting a consciousness for sustainability, and a growing shift toward the triple bottom line paradigm, the direction of green investing growth continues to face uncertainties. Investors, companies, and clients question whether environmentally-friendly strategies will drive returns and enhance decision making and risk identification.

As with any other investment theme, sound data and research can positively influence strategy and produce a predictive view of investment opportunities. This roundtable will investigate emerging trends and market observations at the intersection of sustainability data and investments. Our panel of experts will offer insights to better understand the application and efficacy of this intangible asset in financial planning, and determine if this strategy is poised for growth in years to come.

9:30am:    Networking Breakfast

10:00am:    Panel Discussion Begins

1.    Sustainability Data and Investment Strategy 

• How have sustainability reporting and green investing evolved and subsequently reached their current nexus?
• In the context of today’s environmental concerns, what do we need to understand about sustainability reporting and data, and its role in driving positive performance? What are emerging trends in the application of this data in producing returns for organizations and investors?
• Which core environmental performance indicators have provided the most value in assessing performance and what do they reveal about long-term and short-term performance? What is the outlook on core environmental issues that will be used in such assessments in the future?
• Among those who participate in sustainability reporting and investing, what are current expectations?

2.    Analyzing and Managing Sustainability Data

• What are the “right reasons” for companies, investors and investment clients to champion the generation and application of sustainability data? What are consequent expectations?
• What are quality assessment methods for sustainability data, both primary and third party?
• How do environmental and sustainability data analysis configure into traditional quantitative securities analysis, and how are different data compared?
• Observations on the efficacy of self-reporting and self-regulation.
• Overview of current disclosure concerns for reporting companies and investors.
• What have been advances in the role of information technology in data collection and performance measurement and what are areas of unmet need or improvement?

3.    Moving the Conversation Forward - Strategy and Policy

• Can we further engagement across organizations and the investment community when it comes to sustainability reporting and investing?
• What is the market demand for portfolios that integrate environmental performance indicators and in which direction is this demand heading?
• Overview of current policy on enforcement and regulation of disclosure requirements. What can be done to overcome barriers to quantifiable data?
• How can companies and investors move forward to be better prepared for the impacts of climate change on the global economy?

11:30am:    Audience Q&A 

12:00pm:    Networking 

12:30pm:    End of Meeting

Speakers:

Deutsche Bank, Bruce Kahn, Director and Senior Investment Analyst for Climate Change Advisors

Global Reporting Initiative, Mike Wallace, Director of Sustainability Reporting Framework

Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, Stephen Viederman, Former President and Presently the Christopher Reynolds Foundation

Mission Markets, Michael Van Patten, Chairman and Founder

MSCI, Hewson Baltzell, Head of Product Development and ESG Research

Moderator:

SustainAbility, Michael Sadowski, Vice President

Meet the Panel

New York Participants:
9:30am ET - Networking/Breakfast/Introductions
10:00am ET- Panel Discussion Begins
12:00pm ET- Panel Discussion Ends; Q&A
12:30pm ET- End of Meeting
 
Directions: Midtown Manhattan, New York.
Location details will be distributed to New York attendees prior to the event
 
Online Participants: 
7:00am PT/ 10:00am ET/ 4:00pm Paris - Live Webcast Begins 
9:00am PT/ 12:00pm ET 6:00pm Paris- Live Webcast Ends
 
Online Directions: At the time of meeting, a "Go Live" button will appear; click to view live webcast.

Registration:

The Registration button is located at the top right hand corner of this page.

Inquiries can be directed to: