Mastering Complexity Podcast - Episode 1 - Patrick Wirth on ESG & Sustainability

In this first episode we sit down with Patrick Wirth, Manager in ESG Delivery at swissQuant. In this episode Patrick covers the complex topics surrounding ESG in Switzerland and the EU as well as delving into how sustainable investing in finance has evolved in the past 20 years.

Looking for a specific topic or question? Check out the table of contents below and jump straight to the chapter that interests you most.

— Contents of this video —

0:00 Intro
0:46 Patrick’s background in financial sustainability.
1:54 How new are ESG & SDGs topics really?
3:13 2023 is a big year for ESG: What are the pressing issues right now?
4:19 Swiss vs. EU regulations: What are the main differences?
6:00 What are the requirements for banks, wealth and asset managers?
8:02 Regulations in the Swiss context: Will there be some sort of transition period?
9:17 ESG reporting: Are there existing requirements in place?
10:27 Highlighting key differences in the EU approach.
13:11 Timeline for the implementation of EU regulations.
14:39 "E", "S," and "G": What’s the significance of each element in the regulatory context?
16:26 Developing the EU regulations: What governing bodies were involved in the process?
17:30 ESG data: How comparable are the various providers and metrics?
19:08 How are companies approaching the social and governance aspects?
19:50 What are the UN’s SDGs and how do they relate to the EU framework?
22:00 Complying with the regulations: What are the main challenges for companies or banks?
24:18 Regulatory body: Who oversees the banks in the Swiss context?
25:58 Expectations & surprises in 2023: Reflecting industry forecasts and actual developments.
28:29 Low correlation among ESG metrics: What's the reason and how will regulators address it?
31:27 How big is the appetite for ESG and sustainability among investors and bank customers?
33:15 Is there a link between greenwashing and the lack of transparency or ESG score disparities?
35:51 Do these regulatory efforts have a potential positive impact globally?
36:50 Patrick’s recommendations for asset owners or banks to avoid the pitfalls of greenwashing.

– About this podcast –

The Mastering Complexity Podcast aims to simplify complex topics in business, finance, and capital markets. Join us as we interview experts and innovators who share their insights and strategies for overcoming challenges in their fields. Explore the fascinating world of finance and gain the knowledge to stay ahead of the game.

🎧 Available here on YouTube and on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ft7jCL...