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ESG Newsletter

ESG

Breckinridge Enhances Client Reporting for Sustainable Muni Bond Portfolios

By Cara Early

The new reports should improve transparency and clarity about holdings for investors with regard to certain material ESG factors.

ESG

In 2022, ESG Perspectives Range from Political to Practical and Points in Between

October 3, 2022 - Ognjen Sosa, Robert Fernandez

The role of ESG analysis in investing is gaining increased focus across politics, regulations, and investments in 2022. Responding to detractors, practitioners are reasserting ESG research and investing fundamentals.

ESG

Breckinridge supports GHG accounting standard commitment

October 3, 2022 - Robert Fernandez, Joshua Perez, Evan Lassow, Joshua Stein

As a new member of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), Breckinridge deepens its commitment to consistently measuring and disclosing financed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

ESG

SEC Proposes Climate-Related Reporting Requirements

July 1, 2022 - Robert Fernandez

Breckinridge, in a comment letter to the SEC, highlighted key priority areas in the proposed rule that it supports.

ESG

Updated Local Government Research Framework Marks Latest Advancement of ESG Analysis in the Sector

July 1, 2022 - Andrew Teras, Michael Bonanno

Breckinridge’s updated sustainability framework for local municipalities enhances our analysts’ ability to evaluate ESG factors for municipal bond issuers.

ESG

Corporations Sign Net Zero Pledge, But Can They Back It Up?

April 1, 2022 - Jeffrey Glenn, Joshua Perez, Joshua Stein

Net zero pledges may be considered a credit positive, but it is also important to understand the ability of corporate bond issuers to achieve their net zero goals.

ESG

Latest IPCC report underscores urgency of climate action for investors and businesses

April 1, 2022 - Robert Fernandez, Andrew Teras

The IPCC report released in February 2022 has the most detailed look yet at physical threats posed by global warming.

ESG

Sustainable Bond Issuance Is Growing Across Bond Market Segments

April 1, 2022 - John Bastoni, Matt Corn, Ruth Ducret, Nicholas Elfner

Even in a year of subdued bond issuance, managers are finding opportunities in the sustainable bond markets, thanks to investor appetite for bonds with sustainable labels.

ESG

PFAS—Forever Chemicals: Implications for Municipal and Corporate Bond Market Participants

January 7, 2022 - Andrew Teras, Joshua Perez

Much like the science and health implications that surround them, municipal bond issuers and investors are still developing their perspectives on risks associated with PFAS.

ESG

Updated Global ESG Reporting Standards Move Toward More Consistency

January 3, 2022 - Robert Fernandez

Issuers of securities, investors, consumers, and regulators have expressed the need for more consistent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting rules.

ESG

COP26 Marks Progress and Highlights More Work Ahead on Climate Change

January 3, 2022 - Ognjen Sosa

While world leaders struggled to agree on coordinated global efforts to control and measure the effects of climate change, actions were agreed to by almost 200 countries that attested to continued progress.

ESG

Regulatory and Legislative Reporting Initiatives Target Better ESG Disclosure

January 3, 2022 - Robert Fernandez, Nicholas Elfner, Abigail Ingalls, Joshua Perez, Brian Garcia, Joshua Stein, Evan Lassow

Regulations related to enhanced ESG disclosure are being discussed and examined in the U.S. as well as the European Union.

ESG

2021 Climate Summit Brings Pledges to Combat Climate Risk

July 1, 2021 - Robert Fernandez

At the Biden Administration’s virtual Climate Summit in April, world leaders from 40 countries gathered and several announced accelerated long-term targets to decarbonize their economies.

ESG

Justice Concepts Integrated in Administration’s Environmental and Climate Initiatives

July 1, 2021 - Nicholas Elfner, Adam Stern, Robert Fernandez, Andrew Teras

Members of our credit research teams discuss concepts of environmental justice (EJ) and climate justice (CJ) that are integrated in the Biden administration’s efforts.

ESG

Virtual Roundtables Bring Clients and Analysts Together

July 1, 2021 - Aimee Korch, Mitchel Syp

Two virtual roundtables exploring regional economies as they emerge from COVID-19 lockdowns also brought Breckinridge clients together with research analysts to explore relevant ESG issues.

ESG

Sustainable Bond Innovations Spark Issuance, Boost Transparency

April 20, 2021 - Nicholas Elfner, Robert Fernandez

The sustainable bond market is benefiting from innovation that is expanding the availability and enhancing the transparency of debt issued to finance ESG progress.

ESG

Breckinridge Marks a Decade of ESG Integration in 2021

April 20, 2021 - Peter Coffin

As our experience and insights related to ESG investing have advanced, so to has the industry’s. Peter Coffin reflects on the past decade of ESG integration at Breckinridge.

ESG

Changed Power Structure in DC May Support Environmental Initiatives

April 1, 2021 - Robert Fernandez, Andrew Teras, Cara Early, Joshua Stein

The arrival of new leadership in the White House and Senate in Washington DC increases the likely elevation of the debate—and perhaps legislation and regulation—related to key environmental interests.

ESG

Blackouts Illuminate Pursuit of Renewables, Reliability Among California’s Municipal Utilities

January 5, 2021

High temperatures, scorching winds, wildfires and rolling power blackouts in 2020 showed that California publicly own electric utilities face a dual challenge: providing reliable power to customers while pursuing state mandates for renewable, carbon-free electricity generation.

ESG

Breckinridge Sharpens ESG Focus on Affordable Housing Bonds

January 5, 2021 - David Stenhouse

A dedicated housing framework developed in 2020 strengthened Breckinridge’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) evaluation of bonds targeting affordable housing in the U.S.

ESG

Expanded Engagement Initiatives Add Value in Tumultuous 2020

January 5, 2021 - Robert Fernandez, Andrew Teras

The information discovered during more than 100 meetings with bond issuers, as well as subject matter experts, explored best practices in sustainability as corporations and municipalities are increasingly integrating ESG considerations into their operations.