US ESG Backlash Steps Up as EU Strengthens Standards

This podcast episode explores recent developments in sustainable finance policy, focusing on the introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in the European Union and the anti-ESG movement in the United States. The discussion highlights the conflicts and challenges faced by sustainability professionals in reconciling various reporting standards and frameworks. It also discusses the shift from voluntary to mandatory reporting, the publication of interoperability guidance between the CSRD and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and the popularity of the ISSB in emerging markets. The impact of anti-ESG policies in the United States and their implications for fiduciary duty and pension funds are also addressed. The episode provides insights into current policy discussions and their implications for the finance and investment sectors.