Geoscientist Online

To ensure finance and investment institutions create sustainable policies, geoscientists must have a seat at the table, argues Matthew Pannett

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulations are currently the number one topic for finance and investment institutions in the UK and continental Europe, and geoscientists have an important role to play in this agenda. The need for sustainable finance is largely being driven by a generation of people who are increasingly making investment decisions - from pensions to purchases – based on ethical considerations.  

EU regulations and net zero

Recently, political agreement was reached on the EU’s sustainable investment disclosure rules that will require companies to disclose, amongst other things, investment impacts on the environment. The EU is also examining how to integrate sustainability considerations into its financial policy framework in order to mobilise finance for sustainable growth while reducing pressures on the environment. These regulations are designed to support the EU’s aspirations of a low-carbon, more resource-efficient and sustainable economy.  Mark Carney, the outgoing governor of the Bank of England, has also spoken about the need for action to achieve net zero emissions and the potential failure of industries, sectors and firms that lag behind or do not adapt. The UK hosting COP 26 later in 2020 and aspirations to be net zero by 2050 will only increase the focus on climate change and decarbonisation. 

To be credible, ESG and sustainability need to be clearly defined, with standards and a common language. Geoscientists have a deep understanding of Earth processes, including carbon cycles, water, resources and life on land, and can provide the necessary ‘translation’ of the Earth sciences into this language of sustainability. Consideration of sustainability criteria, such as benchmarking against the UN SDGs, or more specific metrics, such as carbon accounting, should now form part of our decision-making processes, whether it be resource extraction, re-use of aggregates, protection of soil or sustainable remediation.  

Global economics

ESG will become increasingly important in global economics with central banks ‘stress testing’ climate change impacts on investment decisions. Emerging risks, which could include water and other resource scarcity, or changes in the behaviour of pollutants in the environment, are factors that will create stresses on economies.  Clear understanding of these types of risks are needed to develop climate change resilience, an increasingly necessary measure to protect assets, investments and businesses.