Why Bangladesh needs mandatory environmental, social and governance reporting
In recent times, environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance is increasingly being incorporated into management and investment decision-making thanks to its positive impact on cost reduction, higher productivity, and optimal investment. In simple terms, ESG is an evaluation of a firm's seriousness in engaging itself with environmental, social and governance factors. Using ESG principles, investors can assess an entity's performance across a wide range of parameters, such as efficiency, labour relations and corporate governance. Therefore, ESG disclosures are beneficial in terms of attracting an emerging brand of investors who are not only interested in the financial performance of a company but also its engagement with ethical issues. Consequently, there has been significant growth in ESG reporting practices, especially among top-performing companies in the world. Following the United Nations Climate Change Conference (commonly known as COP 21) target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2021, the issue of ESG reporting, especially for financial institutions, had gained further momentum. Financial institutions have a major role to play in achieving the net-zero target, due to their ability to restrict the financing of projects that lead to environmental pollution. Subsequently, regulators and governments in different parts of the world have taken a more proactive approach to regulate ESG reporting.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.