Asia Research & Engagement (ARE)

🌏 Navigating ESG Data Challenges in Emerging Markets: BCI’s Engagement Strategy   AsianInvestor highlights British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), an ARE platform investor that is managing the scarcity of ESG data in emerging markets through their engagement strategy.   To address systemic ESG factors like climate change, BCI emphasises the importance of direct and collaborative engagement with like-minded investors. As Asia remains critical to the global energy transition, BCI actively participates in ARE’s Asia Transition Platform, helping to drive impactful change in one of the world's largest and fastest-growing energy markets.   At ARE, our theory of change focuses on fostering constructive dialogue between leading investors and Asian-listed companies. Leveraging decades of Asia experience and a deep understanding of cross-cultural nuances, our team bridges the gap between investors and companies. We create trusted spaces to address risks, consider future opportunities, review pathways, and achieve results.   We are proud to be part of BCI’s engagement strategy in Asia.   📖 Read the full article to learn more about their approach: https://lnkd.in/e7-D4ADq   Shannon Gong Anne-Marie Gagnon Jennifer Coulson, ICD.D Indira Vergis   #ESG #Sustainability #Asia #ClimateChange #Engagement #EnergyTransition #BCI #ARE #AsiaTransitionPlatform

🌏 UNDP’s Latest Report on ESG Investing in Asia   Our Managing Director, Benjamin McCarron, contributed his insights to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)'s recently published report, "Asia in Focus: ESG Investing and the Business and Human Rights Agenda." This report, authored by Ilya Garger, delves into the role of ESG in promoting sustainability across Asia, outlines the region’s unique challenges, examines how various stakeholders are responding to these challenges, and offers recommendations for the way forward.   Ben shared his perspectives on the influence of investors in driving corporate change. Here are some of his key insights regarding:   🔹 Shareholder Proposals in Japan: In Japan, the three largest banks faced shareholders proposals to align their lending practices with the Paris Agreement. Although these proposals did not pass, they contributed to the banks’ recent commitments to stop funding thermal coal projects. Investor signals have notably influenced this shift.   🔹 ESG Engagement with the Food Industry: While emissions and energy transition are common themes for ESG engagement, asset managers are increasingly involved in protein transition and related initiatives within the food sector. Ben shared an example of a Southeast Asian agribusiness that pledged improvements in animal welfare following investor inquiries at a shareholder meeting. He emphasises the importance of articulating compelling arguments and fostering genuine dialogue rather than making demands.    We are delighted to have contributed to this important report by Ilya Garger, which aims to guide investors, regulators, and other stakeholders in advancing ESG practices in Asia.   📄Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ew9-Gwv7   #ESG #Sustainability #Asia #BusinessAndHumanRights #ESGInvesting #UNDP #AsiaResearchAndEngagement #SustainableInvestment

🌱 Embracing Continuous Learning: Our Interns’ Journey at Greening ASEAN: Initiatives and Leadership (GAIL) 2024 ✨ The future shines brighter when we invest in the potential of our future sustainability professionals. That’s why our Energy Transition team was excited to bring their interns along to the 2024 Greening ASEAN: Initiatives and Leadership (GAIL) event, a forum aimed at gathering relevant expertise and knowledge to enable the shift to sustainable development among ASEAN businesses. 💬 Here’s what they had to say about their experience: 🌍 "Sustainability can no longer be seen as a standalone matter, but rather something to be seamlessly integrated into business operations where impact can be measurable, and risks can be accounted for and minimised. It was an afternoon well spent hearing and gathering insights from the different experts in the field on ensuring the long-term resilience of SMEs, incorporating ESG considerations into board decisions, and navigating the carbon economy with innovative strategies and tech." - Haley Promsuwan, National University of Singapore 🔍 “One of my key takeaways was the importance of viewing sustainability as an opportunity for business wins, rather than a compliance burden. Embracing sustainability can enhance companies' global competitiveness, foster innovative perspectives, and create efficient, new business models. Crucially, companies must act now to stay ahead of the curve and minimise material ESG risks. I am encouraged by the increasing dialogue on this topic and our ongoing efforts to enhance capabilities in ESG!” - Joie Ho, Nanyang Technological University #ContinuousLearning #InternshipExperience #ProfessionalGrowth #TeamDevelopment #IndustryEvent #Sustainability #ClimateChange #EnergyTransition

🏦 Reducing China's carbon emissions requires substantial financial support. ARE’s China team recently hosted the second webinar in our capacity-building series, supporting the banking sector's low-carbon transition with a focus on transition finance and the information and communication technology (ICT) industry. 💰Financing new green projects alone won't suffice; creditors must also fund the transition from brown to green, helping companies become sustainable. However, promoting transition finance in China faces challenges. To build consensus and find solutions, we gathered experts from the Green Investment Principles (GIP), Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), CWR (China Water Risk), and IFC - International Finance Corporation to share insights on trends and best practices. 📊 Key takeaways from the webinar include: 🔹 Transition finance in China has tremendous demand potential. The banking sector should accelerate efforts to finance company transitions. 🔹 More pilots and local practices from commercial banks are essential for developing transition finance in China. Commercial banks should actively explore innovative products and services to participate in transition finance. 🔹 China’s ICT sector should increase investment in the green and low-carbon transition, as data centers' carbon emissions and water consumption are rapidly growing. 🌏 We will continue to convene industry experts to drive collective action toward a sustainable and compassionate Asia. Connect with us to explore how we can collaborate on elevating sustainable development in the region: https://lnkd.in/gfmnuQWY #Sustainability #Finance #LowCarbonTransition #ChinaBankingSector #CapacityBuilding #ClimateAction #GreenFinance #TransitionFinance

📢 Our June newsletter is out! This edition covers the highlights of ARE’s four-day Active Ownership Dialogue in Beijing, where 15 investors from 14 institutions with over USD8 trillion AUM, gathered to discuss ESG practices and high-quality development in China. Special thanks to our knowledge partners, Rainforest Foundation Norway and Principles for Responsible Investment and supporting organisations, Beijing Green Finance Association, Yinhua Fund, and Harvest Fund. Read the full article below and subscribe to the ARE newsletter for the latest updates on sustainable development in Asia. #ESG #Sustainability #ActiveOwnership #China #ARE

🌏 Post Event Recap: World Benchmarking Alliance’s 2024 Allies Assembly 🌏 We are thrilled to share highlights from the World Benchmarking Alliance’s 2024 Allies Assembly in Bangkok, where our Energy Transition Director, Kurt Metzger, spoke on engaging real economy companies on sustainability priorities in Asia. The session explored how financial institutions can leverage global engagement techniques and adapt them to accelerate sustainable practices within Asian businesses. Key points from Kurt’s sharing include: 🔹 Conducting thorough research on a company’s energy transition plan and understanding local government policies and regulations are essential for successful engagement. 🔹 Investors should incorporate the financial implications of a company’s transition plan and long-term value creation associated with sustainable business models. Special thanks to fellow panelists Bernadette V., Jane Ho, Rui Li (Nana Li), CFA, and Trista Chen 陈嘉 for their insightful contributions. A big thank you to our moderator, Nikki Gwilliam-Beeharee, for expertly guiding the discussion and inviting us to the event. We are proud to have been a part of this important event, working together to shape a sustainable future. #AlliesAssembly2024 #Sustainability #Asia #WBA #Engagement #SustainablePractices #EnergyTransition

🌟 Announcing ARE's Latest Publication: Asia Protein Buyers 100! 🌟   ARE's Protein Transition team has just released the Asia Protein Buyers 100 report! This comprehensive benchmark evaluates Asian food buyers on their transition to responsible and sustainable proteins, with a supply chain emphasis.   Key Points: 🔹 Assessment: Reviewed public disclosure of 100 Asian-listed food companies on sustainability strategy, targets, standards, systems, and performance in protein procurement.   🔹 Findings: While awareness and action remain low with an average score of only 9%, there are improvements compared to our 2022 report.   🔹 Top Performers: 10 companies from China, Japan, and Thailand are identified as Evolving Strategically, with detailed case studies on three of them.   🔹 Challenges and Progress: Many companies have yet to address their indirect risks and impacts of their supply chains, but forward-thinking buyers are setting targets and policies, investing in responsible practices, and leveraging sustainable finance.   🔹 Recommendations: Urgent actions needed include stronger governance, traceability, responsible antibiotic use principles, animal welfare and zero-deforestation commitments, and diversification into alternative proteins, taking a supply chain approach.   We’re proud to have co-authors Dave Luo and Kate Blaszak leading this important work to guide Asia's food buyers, banks, and investors to understand the current landscape and forge toward a sustainable food system.   Download the full report to read our complete findings and recommendations here: https://lnkd.in/eMbPPvGV   #Sustainability #ESG #ProteinTransition #AsiaResearchAndEngagement #FoodSystem #ClimateAction #SustainableDevelopment

📢 Exciting News from ARE! We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our team and presence across Asia, reinforcing our commitment to advancing sustainable development in the region. Key highlights include: 🔹 New Offices: Expanded operations in China, India, and Singapore to address global food security and climate change. 🔹 Strategic Hires: Welcoming Rituj Sahu, Stella Chang, Chenguang Zhao, and Tiffany Qin, CFA, who bring extensive experience in sustainability, finance, and stakeholder engagement. "Our growth signifies our dedication to addressing key sustainability challenges in pivotal markets," said Benjamin McCarron, Managing Director at ARE. "The new team members bring regional, local, and global expertise to enhance our efforts and drive meaningful change through strategic engagement and innovative solutions." Read the full media release here: https://lnkd.in/e3vgKeWQ #Sustainability #ESG #Asia #ClimateAction #SustainableDevelopment #AREExpansion

📢 GRESB Expands ESG Engagement in APAC, Sees Record Participation Rates   🌍 Key highlights from GRESB's latest media release:   🔹 Global investors are expanding efforts in APAC to engage real asset industries on ESG disclosures and net-zero strategies. 🔹 This year’s campaign includes infrastructure companies for the first time, along with listed real estate companies and REITs. 🔹 GRESB collaborated with 16 investors managing over USD 5 trillion in assets. 🔹 Active stewardship is encouraging real asset companies to align with ESG best practices. 🔹 Engagement rates have climbed to over 50% in 2024, up from 40% in 2023 and 25% in 2022. 🔹 More than 30 out of 59 target companies have shown interest, demonstrating rapid ESG maturity in the region.   As a strategic partner for GRESB since 2018, Asia Research & Engagement (ARE) is proud to run the collaborative engagement for them and support these significant achievements.   Special thanks go to Emily Liu, Isabelle T. and Yvonne Huang (黃欣鳳), for all their work in this 2024 collaborative engagement campaign.   Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/eid3t6fV   #ESG #Sustainability #GRESB #AsiaPacific #Infrastructure #RealEstate #Engagement #NetZero

🌏 We are proud to announce that our Energy Transition Director, Kurt Metzger, will speak at the World Benchmarking Alliance’s 2024 Allies Assembly in Bangkok.   Kurt will share insights on how financial institutions, particularly asset managers and asset owners, can engage real economy companies on sustainability priorities in Asia. The session will explore which global engagement techniques can be successfully leveraged in the region and where nuance and adaptation are needed to accelerate sustainable practices within Asian businesses. He will be joined by esteemed panelists Jane Ho, Rui Li (Nana Li), CFA, and Trista Chen 陈嘉.   Read more about the event and register here: https://bit.ly/49rUDQN   #AlliesAssembly2024 #Sustainability #Asia #WBA #Engagement #SustainablePractices