RBS International 'A Just Transition' Podcast Series

In this episode we have invited Andrew Mitchell, Vice Chair of the task force on nature related financial disclosures (TNFD) and the founder and CEO of Equilibrium Futures to discuss the role of the TNFD, the scale of the challenge to regulate nature and measure impact, and the speed of change required. The TNFD was a collaborative project with the World Wildlife fund, United Nations Development Fund, and others to create a reporting and disclosure framework for nature. 

It is imperative that everyone understands that nature is not an unlimited resource.
To make it more visible w...

In this episode we have invited our guest Mark Crathern , head of NatWest Trustee & Depositary Services, to pick three important aspects, from the very broad topic of governance, to discuss.  He has chosen data imperfections, board diversity and disclosure. 

Governance is important in creating a level of transparency by developing the reporting that identifies and quantifies what is happening from an "E" and an "S" perspective and the impact this is having on the world and the macroeconomic environment.

Data imperfections need to be managed to ensure governance requirements are fulfilled. Boards need to consider no...

In this episode we have invited our guest David Postlethwaite, associate director, ESG at KPMG Crown dependencies to choose his top three ESG trends for 2024. He has picked greenwashing,  the search for impact amongst investors and biodiversity and nature as key influences in the year ahead. Consumers and wider society are demanding more sustainable products and services and with that growth in demand comes the need to ensure that what's being sold to investors is genuinely credible. Cracking down on greenwashing is essential to maintain trust in the financial system.  Impact investing was a niche strategy but the appetite fo...

In our latest episode we revisit the topic of science-based targets (SBTs), with our guest Paul Sutcliffe, founder and Chief Operating Officer, at sustainability consultancy Evora. In March 2023, RBS International investigated the impact of the changing economic climate on the adoption of SBTs by alternative funds and the research highlighted 3 key barriers to implementation: time to implement, pressure from regulators and measurement.  We delve deeper into each of them, while looking at how these challenges can be optimised through understanding and effective planning.

In the first episode of the new series we're joined by guest Tonia Plakhotniuk, Vice President, Climate and ESG Capital Markets at Nat West, to discuss ESG regulation for private funds.  We look at the most important pieces of regulation for the sector, the relative differences between the EU, US and UK for regulation and whether private funds can see ESG regulation as an opportunity.  Finally we share practical advice on how to manage this regulatory landscape, as one thing we do know is that ESG regulation and reporting is here to stay.

In this episode we’re joined by Gary Kendall, Head of Climate Strategy Implementation at NatWest as our focus turns to the implementation of ESG strategies, a topic that is centre stage at COP27, and exemplifies the need to track action rather than targets.

We discuss why we can’t just set ESG targets internally and focus on achieving them to bring about the system level change that is needed and how independence, an open and transparent approach and bringing your stakeholders along with you, all play key roles in fully integrating ESG as a long term ambi...

In this episode we're joined by guest Jessica Lobo, Global Goals and Climate Programme Manager, at UN Global Compact Network UK to discuss how the UK is performing against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In 2015 the UK Government joined every other country in the world and committed to the SDGs. 17 global goals which are designed to be a global blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. They cover topics from hunger to marine life and challenge nations and businesses to accelerate action before 2030.

The UN Global Compact Network UK recently published the...

In this episode we are joined by Bill Gilbert, Head of Digital Innovation at NatWest Group.

We discuss the role of voluntary carbon offsets which allow market participants to offset unavoidable emissions, by purchasing carbon credits delivered through projects that remove or avoid greenhouse gases. Unlike compliance programmes, which are restricted to specific regions, the voluntary space is significantly more flexible and can support entities globally. This reach has meant that carbon offsets have developed into a $1 billion market with Mark Carney, the former Bank of England governor, estimating a rise to $50 billion by 2030.

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Catch up on this month's latest ESG news with this 5-minute download from Bradley Davidson, ESG Lead at RBS International. 

As pressure mounts on fund managers globally to scrutinise their investment and lending activities, science-based targets (SBTs) are poised to become the leading framework to provide a pathway for companies to decarbonise their business.

In this episode, on the back of a research report by RBS International into the barriers and opportunities facing alternative investment funds when setting and incorporating SBTs, we discuss the findings from the report and how funds can accelerate the transition to net zero.

Hosted by Bradley Davidson, ESG Lead at RBS International, and Tim Philips, we're delighted to be joined...