AXA IM Head of RI Research Virginie Derue signalizes the key developments for sustainability in 2024. She dives deeper into subjects like polarization around climate change, the rise of ecosystem vulnerability and biodiversity losses on investors agendas and the stronger focus on human rights.
Key points in the report
- 2024 will be an extraordinary year politically, with more than 60 countries going to the polls – this will likely affect the course of sustainable finance, including potential polarization around key ESG issues and climate policies
- Irrespective of the political context, the transition must still be the key focus, echoing COP28 in its call to support the shifting of the whole ecosystem
- Ecosystem vulnerability and biodiversity losses are set to rise up investors’ agendas, more specifically water stress, waste and pollution while the food sector will see increased scrutiny
-
Engagement wise, 2024 should mark a turning point in the field of climate while social and more specifically human and workers’ rights should continue to gain attention, driven by a generally tense social backdrop and ramifications of transition plans
- Responsible investment is likely to broaden its lens, shifting from a net zero focus to a more holistic perspective of sustainability
