Unlock the secrets of ESG and sustainability investing with Professor Todd Cort from the Yale School of Management. Explore the nuanced differences between ESG investing, impact investing, and corporate sustainability efforts, and understand how they cater to various stakeholder concerns and investor motivations. This episode promises to clarify how corporate sustainability impacts stakeholders like customers and employees, while ESG investing focuses on the financial materiality of environmental, social, and governance factors for investors.

This episode breaks down the empirical evidence linking ESG performance to financial success, referencing comprehensive meta-analytic studies. We explore the world of ESG ratings with agencies like MSCI and Sustainalytics and understand the complexities and criticisms they face. We also get practical advice on identifying the most financially material ESG risks for your investment portfolio and explain why the performance of ESG-labeled funds remains an area of ongoing scrutiny.

Lastly, we delve into the significance of investment fund labels and what they mean for retail investors. Navigate through the financial materiality of pressing ESG topics like climate change, biodiversity, and DEI, and learn how to handle conflicting views in the ESG space.

Todd also recommends essential reads such as "Net Positive" and "Beaverland" to equip aspiring sustainable business leaders with the knowledge they need. This episode is packed with valuable insights to help you align your investments with your values and understand the skills needed for leading in today’s evolving business landscape.

More inspirations from Todd: https://som.yale.edu/faculty-research/faculty-directory/todd-cort
Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-cort/

If you want to follow this podcast, please subscribe to the Business and Society with Senthil Nathan on Apple and Spotify. We welcome your comments and suggestions at bspwithsn@gmail.com.

Unlock the secrets of sustainable development through the lens of behavioural science with our special guest, Liam Smith, Director of BehaviourWorks Australia. Discover how understanding human behaviour can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of incentives in driving change. From the highs and lows of solar panel adoption to the balance between financial motivations and intrinsic environmental values, this episode offers compelling insights into how behavioural science intersects with policy and private sector initiatives.

We also tackle some hard-hitting ethical questions that sustainability leaders face, such as the legitimacy of influencing others' behaviours and the boundaries of ethical tools used in these efforts. Real-world examples, like using a fictitious photographer at Port Campbell National Park, shed light on the delicate moral terrain. Finally, we explore the dual impact of social media on societal movements and the significant behavioural shifts post-COVID-19, emphasizing resilience and pragmatism in the face of global challenges. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that could transform your understanding of sustainable development.

More inspirations from Liam Smith:
Link to the latest book he edited: https://publishing.monash.edu/product/inspiring-change/
MOOC-Changing Behaviours for Sustainable Development: https://www.behaviourworksaustralia.org/blog/this-is-massive-open-online-and-about-change

If you want to follow this podcast, please subscribe to the Business and Society with Senthil Nathan on Apple and Spotify. We welcome your comments and suggestions at bspwithsn@gmail.com.

Discover how deeply entrenched beliefs in the free market's supremacy have shaped our society, often to our detriment. Today, we sit down with Professor Naomi Oreskes to discuss her latest book, "The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market," where she unravels the historical and contemporary implications of this ideology. From climate change to the opioid crisis, Naomi explains why understanding the balance between market strengths and the necessity of effective governance is crucial for future business leaders.

We journey back to the economic debates of the 1930s and 40s, exploring Keynesian economics versus the Austrian School led by Ludwig von Mises and Friedrich von Hayek. Naomi sheds light on how American business leaders initially failed to overturn New Deal policies, only to find their arguments gaining traction in the economically turbulent 1970s. This sets the stage for Milton Friedman's influential ideas and sparks ongoing debates about government's role in markets.

As we look to the future, Naomi delves into contemporary issues like corporate sustainability, the fossil fuel industry's impact on climate research, and the ethical complexities of AI technology. Her insights on corporate social responsibility call for a return to community-focused business practices. Concluding with a reflection on ethical leadership and the shift away from shareholder value maximization, this episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in the intersection of business, governance, and societal well-being. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and advocates for a more balanced and socially responsible economic system.

More inspirations from Naomi Oreskes:
Link to her latest book: The Big Myth
Link to her TED Talk: Why we should trust scientists?

If you want to follow this podcast, please subscribe to the Business and Society with Senthil Nathan on Apple and Spotify. We welcome your comments and suggestions at bspwithsn@gmail.com.