Sustainability and ESG are increasingly front and center for investors, businesses, and governments globally. In the five years from 2014 to 2019, institutional assets managed with ESG issues in mind almost doubled to just under $90 trillion, and saw 1,000 new signatories to the Principles For Responsible Investment.
Academy Securities recognizes the importance that as a financial institution we help to facilitate the movement of capital that has the potential to impact our stakeholders across a broad range of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. This is why, since Academy’s inception, it has been committed to instigating positive impact through its mission of mentoring, training, and hiring military veterans—while maintaining the highest degree of authenticity and capability.
As the landscape around sustainability, ESG, and Diversity & Inclusion continues to evolve we aim to do so with it, helping our clients and partners navigate the developments and issues that are most material to them. Academy’s Geopolitical, Macroeconomic, and ESG expertise is well-equipped to offer insight including (but not-limited to) supply-chain, technology/cyber, regional tension/human-rights, climate change, and ESG related trends and products.
About our ESG Program:
Mike Rodriguez, Capital Markets and ESG expert, is a former infantry Marine who was wounded in the Battle of Fallujah and awarded the Purple Heart. Following his military service and recovery, he did his graduate work at Dartmouth where he focused on issues of sustainability as it pertains to National Security and earned a Master’s Degree in Globalization Studies. His specialization at Academy Securities is in ESG and green issuance and investing, where he focuses on the metrics by which green and sustainably themed/marketed securities are evaluated.
MONTHLY REPORTS
May 2022 – Sustainability and ESG developments:
Regulatory developments, proposed rules from the SEC, and IFRS related reporting.
March 2022 – Cyber, Cyber, Cyber:
Cyber-Threat Landscape, 4-common themes: Destroy, Disrupt, Discredit, Divert, Economic Costs for Public and Private Sector, Funding Cyber Resiliency.
January 2022 – All Eyes on Water:
Key water related issues like floods, droughts, water quality, and their economic impact.
December 2021 – Reflecting on 2021:
And what to expect in 2022.
November 2021 – US Military ESG Macro-Driver:
Reviewing the US Department of Defense’s Climate Adaptation Strategy.
October 2021 – Energy Security:
Examining concerns relating to energy security.
September 2021 – UNGA:
Touching upon sustainable financing and potential tax credits associated.
August 2021 – IPCC Report:
Reviewing the main points within the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change AR6 report.
July 2021 – Water and Geopolitics:
Examining water risks, droughts, wildfires and the impact they are having on US Markets as well as geopolitics.
June 2021 – A Glance at ESG Disclosures Across the Globe:
Delving into developing guidance for ESG Products and Marketing in the United States, United Kingdom and Asia. A brief review of what this means for the future of ESG/Sustainability Bonds.
May 2021 – Decreasing Your Dividends to Decarbonize Your Portfolio:
Discussing the “Green Dividend,” Investor Autonomy and if they could be beneficial to companies and investors.
March 2021 – US First Quarter IG Corporate ESG Bonds:
A look into the current state of ESG Bond Reporting, and challenges currently faced due to lack of effective guidance.
January 2021 – Cyber Security in Focus:
Examining the threats we face as our landscape becomes increasingly digital, the financial impact these attacks cause, and what policies are being enacted in response.
December 2020 – A Year to Remember:
Wrapping up 2020 for ESG Funds and Investors while breaking down a stark increase in issuer diversity.
November 2020 – Changing of the Guard:
What the 2020 election results mean for Sustainability/ESG – Regulations, Central Bank Involvement, and Economic Policy Shifts.
October 2020 – Water Futures:
NQH20 – Why it matters, and what effects it could have on ESG Investments in the very near future.
August 2020 – Breaking Down Bond Frameworks:
A detailed glance at the Sustainability Bond Frameworks of Sysco, Pfizer and Alphabet and what to expect in Q4 with regards to sustainable bond issuance.
July 2020 – Interest in ESG Increases as Policies Shift:
Why the Department of Labor’s new investment duties rule proposal is important, and what to know about increased regulatory scrutiny on Sustainability/ESG Claims.