Episode 1: A Focus on Hard-to-Abate Industries – Outcomes of the Sanlam ESG Barometer 2024 

Welcome to episode 1 of the Sanlam ESG Barometer podcast series, where we dive deep into the findings of the 2024 Sanlam ESG Barometer report.  

The 2024 Sanlam ESG Barometer reveals some interesting data on the performance of hard-to-abate sectors, both locally and globally, including shifts in investment strategies, regulatory pressures, and the challenges businesses face in aligning with environmental targets. So, today, we’ll delve into these findings and unpack how industries that are considered “difficult to decarbonize” can still make meaningful progress. 

Episode 2: Accounting for Sustainability – What is it and why do we need it?

Welcome to episode 2 where we continue our journey into the findings from the 2024 Sanlam ESG Barometer.  

 In this episode we explore the question, ‘What exactly is Accounting for Sustainability?’ and delve deeper into why it is absolutely essential for businesses in the modern economy. If we are serious about creating a sustainable future, then we must get the numbers right and understand how financial practices can help achieve sustainability goals. 

Episode 3: Who are the real ESG stakeholders – Employees, investors, or customers?

Welcome back to the Sanlam ESG Barometer Series.  Today, we’re diving into a pivotal question: ‘Who are the real ESG stakeholders—employees, investors, or customers?’  

This conversation is crucial as businesses navigate their ESG strategies and seek to understand who their true partners are in this journey.

With stakeholder expectations evolving rapidly, it’s more important than ever to identify and prioritize the groups that influence and are influenced by ESG performance. 

Episode 4: ESG Investing – Is it still a thing?

Thank you for tuning into episode 4 of the Sanlam ESG Barometer podcast series where we will explore an increasingly important question, ‘ESG Investing – Is it still a thing?’ 

In recent years, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have been at the forefront of investment strategies, but as market dynamics shift, many are questioning their continued relevance and impact. 

To put this into context, the Sanlam ESG Barometer 2024 highlights key trends and insights regarding how organizations are navigating these changes. This report underscores that while ESG investing remains significant, it’s essential to reassess its effectiveness and adaptability in a rapidly changing financial landscape. 

Episode 5: So, we won’t reach the SDGs by 2030 – what now?

Today in episode 5 of the Sanlam ESG Barometer podcast series, we dive deep into the critical issues shaping our understanding of sustainability to confront a pressing question, So, we won’t reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 – what now? 

According to the United Nations, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an ambitious framework that includes 17 SDGs designed to address global challenges, from poverty and inequality to climate change. However, recent reports indicate that we are falling short of these goals. A 2023 UN report revealed that progress on the SDGs has been severely hampered by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, resulting in a global economic contraction that threatens to reverse years of hard-won gains. 

In South Africa, the story is no different. The 2023 Sanlam ESG Barometer highlights that many organizations are struggling to align their strategies with the SDGs, with only 35% of surveyed companies integrating these goals into their core business strategies. This disconnect raises the question: what actions can be taken to reverse this trend? 

Episode 6: A focus on ESG additionality in Kenya – outcomes of the Sanlam ESG Barometer 2024

Welcome to the final episode of the Sanlam ESG Barometer podcast series for 2024.  

As we continue to witness the rapid evolution of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, particularly in emerging markets, the concept of ESG additionality has become increasingly significant. According to a recent report by the Global Reporting Initiative, companies that prioritize ESG additionality can drive measurable impacts that go beyond mere compliance. In Kenya, this notion is particularly pertinent, with the potential to enhance both sustainability and economic growth. 

The 2024 Sanlam ESG Barometer reveals insightful data on how businesses in Kenya are approaching ESG initiatives. For instance, over 60% of companies surveyed indicated a commitment to integrating additional ESG strategies to create positive societal impacts, highlighting a collective understanding of the necessity to go beyond traditional practices. 

Episode 1 – Understanding additionality in ESG investing

ESG additionality refers to a positive impact or outcome that would not have otherwise occurred without specific capital investment. The concept of additionality in ESG investing is pertinent in SA where important strategic matters such as just energy transition need to be factored into investment decisions.

Episode 2 – Using the UN sustainable development goals to guide your company’s ESG strategy

In developing their ESG strategies companies can use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework around which to determine which issues they should focus their attention on.

The SDGs are a set of 17 interconnected and ambitious goals adopted by all United Nations Member States in September 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals aim to address a wide range of global challenges and create a more sustainable and equitable world by the year 2030.

Episode 3 – Just how much should ESG imperatives affect investment decisions?

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) imperatives have become fundamental to how businesses make investment decisions and in 2021 flows into ESG investments reached a pinnacle when the market saw an estimated $120bn flow to sustainable investments. Historically, there has been a growing emphasis on ESG considerations in investment decisions, driven by factors such as increasing awareness of sustainability issues, regulatory changes, and a recognition of the potential impact of ESG factors on long-term financial performance. However, it seems that some investors are starting to question just how much should ESG impact their decisions?

Episode 4 – The importance of ‘S’ in ESG for the financial services industry

The Sanlam ESG Barometer in partnership with Business Day is the first to assess how JSE-listed companies are actively improving environmental and social outcomes in society through their activities, and today at the Business Day TV studios, I am joined by two experts to discuss the theme “What is the importance of the “S” in ESG for financial services?”

Episode 5 – Why prioritise ESG integration over ESG ratings?

Environmental, Social and Governance imperatives have become fundamental to how businesses make investment decisions. However, some leaders have called for companies to differentiate between ESG Impact and ESG Rankings, as prioritizing ESG impact over ESG rankings reflects a focus on tangible, measurable outcomes and actions rather than solely relying on or chasing after high rankings in ESG assessments or indices.

Episode 6 – Africa vs. The West: The debate on what ESG means to African companies versus global companies

The debate on what ESG means to African companies versus Western companies involves considerations of regional contexts, economic structures, developmental stages, and cultural nuances. While there are overarching principles of ESG that apply globally, there are also unique challenges and opportunities that shape how these principles are interpreted and implemented in African and Western corporate contexts.