ESG & the City

In this episode, we examine the importance of banks providing specialised support to their vulnerable customers. Join us as we discuss what banks are doing well, what they could be doing better, and how emerging technologies have the potential to transform the way vulnerability is addressed!

Is stewardship delivering what it promises? In this episode, Arwen and Maitrai examine how the 2025 landscape is reshaping the stewardship agenda. From Schroders’ sharp critique to the uncomfortable truth about "engagement washing", we explore why volume-based metrics are no longer cutting it. With expectations rising from asset owners, is the industry ready to move from tick-box to truly transformative engagement? Tune in for a direct, uncompromising look at the future of stewardship—and what needs to change if we want real-world results, not just polished reports.

This month on ESG and the City, we examine the sweeping impact of President Trump’s renewed protectionist agenda on global markets, ESG policy, and the clean tech transition. From frozen climate funding to disrupted supply chains, we unpack what this means for investors, sustainable finance, and the future of climate progress.

In this episode, we explore China’s current dominance of the global electric vehicle market and how US and EU policymakers respond in order to protect domestic manufacturers. Join us as we untangle the knock-on effects upon transition strategies and whether lithium battery-powered vehicles are as green as they seem!

The EU’s Omnibus Regulation is here—and it’s reshaping the ESG regulatory landscape in ways no one saw coming. In this episode of ESG and the City, Maitrai and Alice unpack the sweeping changes to CSRD, the EU Taxonomy, and what it all means for financial firms and sustainability practitioners. Is this a smart move to cut red tape, or does it risk derailing Europe’s green finance ambitions? Tune in to find out!

Activist hedge fund Saba Capital just launched a bold campaign to overhaul UK investment trusts—but shareholders weren’t having it. Join Arwen and Chris Green, senior consultant at Novatus Global as we break down the governance debate, investor pushback, and the wider implications for regulation, ESG, and stewardship. 

Join us as we unravel the fundamentals of three major sustainability reporting frameworks: TCFD, ISSB, and CSRD. We'll explore how they overlap and what this means for companies and investors. *Please note, this episode was recorded in advance of the Omnibus package announced by the European Commission. Check out our episode examining its impacts with a special guest in the weeks to come!

Following the invasion of Ukraine, the defence sector has seen a significant increase in investment flows, including from ESG-aligned funds. In this episode, we explore what has caused this rapid shift and how the debate on the sustainability of defence companies is evolving in response to geopolitical needs.

The Financial Reporting Council's consultation document on the UK Stewardship Code is making waves across the industry! In this episode of ESG and the City, Maitrai and Lauren sit down to dissect the proposed changes, and discuss why the updated Code is essential in today's evolving investment landscape.  Join us as we break down the five key changes to the Code, from the revised definition of stewardship to the new reporting structures & tailored principles. Learn about the industry's initial reaction to the consultation, and discover the debate surrounding the revised definition of stewardship. Whether you're an asset owner, manager, or just interested in how stewardship is evolving, this episode is packed with information you won't want to miss.   Filmed & Edited by Thibault Lacombe.   A 2025 Novatus Global Production.

In this special episode of ESG & the City, we explore how natural catastrophes like the LA fires are reshaping the insurance industry. Join us as we explore the impact of climate disasters on insurance, why insurers are pulling out of high-risk regions, and the crucial role insurance plays in rebuilding efforts.   Podcast contributors: Lauren Chin, Gillian Gracias and Cameron Maguire.   Filmed & Edited by Thibault Lacombe.   A 2025 Novatus Global Production.