Best MSCI ESG Research LLC Podcasts (2025)

1
Adapting to a Hotter Future in Asia 11:40

1h ago11:40

11:40

In this episode, we dive deep into the critical role of adaptation finance in helping Asia face the escalating impacts of climate change. As the region experiences rising temperatures and extreme weather events, the demand for resilience-building solutions is greater than ever. With a growing population, rapid urbanization, and a heavy reliance on …

1
Aerospace, Defense and Tariff Turbulence 15:57

4d ago15:57

15:57

Tariffs and tangled supply chains: This week, we explore how commercial aerospace and defense companies are navigating a new wave of trade restrictions. From Boeing to Lockheed Martin, what do transparency and oversight mean when the stakes — and the sky —are high? Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG Research…

1
The Physical Risks of Reshoring 16:04

13d ago16:04

16:04

From car factories to aluminum smelters to textiles, the purported goal of the Trump administration is to 'reshore' American manufacturing. Its a goal, in part, supported by his predecessor, Joe Biden, who enacted the CHIPS act to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to America. So, let's say manufacturing does come back and companies expand thei…

1
Borderline Traceable: Tariffs Meet the Transparency Test 14:53

30d ago14:53

14:53

Newly imposed U.S. tariffs have triggered market volatility and strategic recalibrations across industries. In this episode, we explore the role of supply chain traceability in managing risk — from regulatory exposure to sustainability trade-offs. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Aura Dron, MSCI ESG Research…

1
In Times of Crisis, Sustainability Matters 12:30

1M ago12:30

12:30

As I type this, we are in the midst of a market sell off. So, it’s a perfect time to look at what happened to our ESG indexes during the last market sell offs. Worrisome times! Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Xinxin Wang, MSCI ESG ResearchBy MSCI ESG Research LLC

1
Can Bombs and Bullets Be Sustainable? 17:35

1M ago17:35

17:35

Does the defense industry have an ESG problem? Is there such a thing as an ethical bomb? These are questions emerging as the European Union ramps up investment in its defense sector as part of a broader rearmament effort. In this episode, we examine whether these concerns are well-founded or simply a dubious proposition. Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI E…

1
It's the Egg-conomy, Stupid 18:06

2M ago18:06

18:06

Egg prices in the US have soared, but is avian flu the only culprit? This week, we crack open the structural issues in the egg industry, from supply chain vulnerabilities to price-fixing allegations. Plus, what it all means for investors — and your breakfast. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Cole Martin, MSCI ESG Research…

1
EU's Omnibus Proposal: What You Need to Know 28:22

2M ago28:22

28:22

In February 2025, the EU Commission proposed the first Omnibus Package of sustainability rules, with the aim of simplifying and reducing EU sustainability reporting requirements. But did it work? Has the outcome been "good" or "bad"? And what are these new rules set to do to the future of sustainable finance in the EU? Listen to this episode of ESG…

1
Are Banks Ready for Climate Risks? 15:29

3M ago15:29

15:29

Banks face growing pressure from regulators to assess the risks climate change poses to their loan portfolios. Some regions, like Europe, are tightening standards, while others, like the U.S., remain hesitant. Our latest research reveals that banks with high exposure to industrials—especially in APAC—could see default risks rise by 50% over the nex…

1
Crude Awakenings: The Shifting Energy Landscape 23:07

3M ago23:07

23:07

Oil and gas are in, renewables are out — at least, that’s what the headlines say. But what’s really happening in energy markets? We take a closer look at shifting U.S. policies, investor reactions, and how global energy trends might shape the future. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Mathew Lee, Chris Cote & Elchin Mammadov, MSCI ESG …

1
How to Make Money and Not Lose Money (Historically) 13:49

3M ago13:49

13:49

The quest for higher returns with lower risk is a fundamental principle of successful investing. Study after study shows that investors can use sustainability data to identify more profitable, less risky companies with higher long-term returns. But what about protecting your portfolio from massive drawdowns? Or better yet, seeing which sustainabili…

1
Demystifying Climate Scenarios 17:32

4M ago17:32

17:32

What are climate scenarios? Can I do them myself, or do I need a supercomputer and an advanced degree to make them work? They are certainly important in this day and age, especially as once-in-a-lifetime destructive events seem to be becoming the norm. That’s why we decided to do an episode demystifying the whole process of climate scenario analysi…

1
Where is the Next Fire? 12:50

4M ago12:50

12:50

Fires continue to rage in Southern California, destroying homes and businesses and leaving thousands stranded. But Los Angeles and its surrounding areas are unfortunately not unique when it comes to wildfire risk. So where is the next fire likely to be? And what can investors do about it? We discuss on this week's episode of ESG now. Host: Mike Dis…

1
High Rollers or Higher Risks? Gambling Goes Digital 15:41

4M ago15:41

15:41

One of Australia's biggest casinos is in big trouble, plagued by money laundering investigations and a dwindling pool of domestic gamblers. We look at whether the rise of online gambling may make problems like these redundant in future, and what new risks investors may want to be on the lookout for. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: SK…

1
The Sustainability and Climate Trends to Watch for 2025 18:15

5M ago18:15

18:15

Join us as we cover the sustainability and climate trends that our team thinks will shape the year head. We talk about the energy transition opportunities that are emerging in private markets, rising social risks and the tech giants, falling data access for AI models and much more. Here’s to a big, intriguing 2025! Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Re…

1
The First Ever (Public) Price Forecast for Airline's Carbon Credits 18:41

5M ago18:41

18:41

We put out the world’s first price forecast for Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)! In it we analyzed the potential demand, supply and prices for credits under CORSIA, and how much the scheme could cost the airline industry in terms of higher ticket prices or lower profits. In this episode we explore the repo…

1
What the Market Thinks: A Climate Risk Survey 17:18

6M ago17:18

17:18

What do market participants actually think is going to happen to their assets due to climate change? And when do they expect it? And do they think we will ever abandon fossil fuels? Well to answer those questions (and any others!), you need a survey. Luckily, we've got one! We've linked it below, and created a podcast episode about it. Enjoy! Link …

1
Powering AI: The Nuclear Option 16:26

6M ago16:26

16:26

Energy-hungry data centers are the backbone of AI. And as big tech companies look to meet rising demand for AI capabilities, their emissions are ticking up. So, are net zero ambitions at risk? Or can they be saved by a decades-old energy source in a new guise? Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Yoon Young Chung & Mathew Lee, MSCI ESG R…

1
The World Electric Vehicles May Create 24:59

6M ago24:59

24:59

VW announced it would shut at least three of its German plants, axe tens of thousands of jobs and slash pay by 10%. This is notable because VW is the powerhouse of Germany which typically has been the EU’s industrial engine – meaning jobs, meaning unions, meaning political might. But this is more than a VW story. It is a story of how the energy tra…

1
Finally! A Global Carbon Market! 14:28

7M ago14:28

14:28

Well not yet. But on October 11, a UN expert group reached a compromise on key elements of a global carbon trading system. If it passes (we go into this, don’t worry), it will resolve nearly a decade of talks on a what is seen as a fundamental tool for the Paris Agreement to be achieved. So, in this episode, we discuss why this global carbon market…

1
A/Cs and Adapting to Climate Change 15:04

7M ago15:04

15:04

Heat waves are getting longer and more intense. And although mitigating climate change will remain a long-term priority, investors will also be thinking about adaptation technologies. The humble air conditioner is an off-the-shelf solution, but does it have any downsides? Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Mathew Lee, MSCI ESG Research…

1
Does the Environmental Pillar Matter? 18:47

7M ago18:47

18:47

Today is the last part of a three part series we've done for ESG now: we examine whether investors should care about incorporating environmental data into equity analysis. In previous episodes we discussed the social pillar and the governance pillar, now its on to the environmental pillar of our ESG ratings model. We look at the environmental pilla…

1
So, About That Climate Transition... 19:16

8M ago19:16

19:16

It’s climate week in The Big Apple! And the perfect time to take a look at different investment approaches to a low-carbon transition. We talk through financial risks and opportunities for companies, transition funds, and how the things are playing out in bond markets. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Meggin Eastman, Chris Cote & Mic…

1
Asset Risks in a Time of Flood 15:31

8M ago15:31

15:31

Flooding is one the costliest of all natural hazards and climate change is raising the stakes. In this episode, we discuss the need for precise asset locations and forward-looking climate models to figure out your risk exposure. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Matthias Kemter, MSCI ESG Research…

1
The 2024 Proxy Season 14:07

8M ago14:07

14:07

The 2024 proxy season has come and gone. In recent years, environmental and social proposals were abundant and saw record high support among shareholders. But what about this year? In this episode we take you through our findings from the 2024 proxy season, what they mean for sustainable investing, and where the future is liking headed. Host: Micha…

1
Investing in the Fight Against Superbugs 16:04

9M ago16:04

16:04

Antimicrobial resistance is getting worse. Set to impact healthcare, agriculture and insurance, it’s a phenomenon worth paying attention to. On this episode, we take a look at whether there’s an investment case for fighting back against the superbugs. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Namita Nair, MSCI ESG Research…

1
Net-Zero Tracker 2024 15:39

9M ago15:39

15:39

We periodically put out this report called the Net-Zero Tracker, and it examines the progress by the world’s listed companies toward curbing climate risk. This episode is a dive into the most important bits of our most recently published report. Link to the Net-Zero Tracker: The MSCI Sustainability Institute Net-Zero Tracker Host: Mike Disabato, MS…

1
Does Social Matter? 12:55

10M ago12:55

12:55

The social pillar has often been maligned as the ignored sibling of the ESG acronym. In its essence, the social pillar is a measurement of how a company, its employees, its products, and the community it operates in are supported and often challenged. For this episode, we show you why that all matters for measuring a company’s market performance. H…

1
The Cost of Missing Sustainability Targets 16:33

10M ago16:33

16:33

It’s early days for sustainability-linked bonds, where issuers see their interest rates rise after missing sustainability targets. But instead of throwing in the towel after some initial setbacks, we talk about companies that have doubled down on their sustainability commitments. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Guilherme de Melo Silv…

1
Does Governance Matter? 12:49

10M ago12:49

12:49

Good governance is foundational to effective capital markets, promoting accountability, transparency and sound decision-making aligned with investor interests. But how do those potential benefits translate into market performance? Well today, we answer that question for you! We answer the question: does governance even matter. If you want to read t…

1
Sustainability and the Cost of Capital 17:08

11M ago17:08

17:08

Data from over 4,000 issuers, spanning nearly a decade revealed that companies with better MSCI ESG Ratings tended to have a lower cost of capital. It’s big news for investors and another step towards understanding the relationship between sustainability and financial performance. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Jakub Malich & Anett…

1
How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Nuclear Energy 20:08

11M ago20:08

20:08

Our demand for electricity is growing for the first time in decades. Nuclear energy is being proffered as the answer to our voracious energy-appetites. But are investors capable of propping up an industry with so much complexity and risk? This episode provides an answer. Host: Michael Disabato, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Elchin Mammadov, MSCI ESG Res…

1
What is Impact Materiality? 15:22

11M ago15:22

15:22

What is impact materiality, you ask? And how is it different from financial materiality? A fine and important question, listener! In this episode we take you through all the details you need to parse through the most important sustainability-jargon out there. Including, an explanation of the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, or the…

1
Carbon Footprinting Demystified 16:47

11M ago16:47

16:47

When it comes to climate altering carbon emissions, investors, like asset managers and banks, used to only measure their direct carbon emissions from their buildings and purchased electricity. But now, they are being asked by regulators, stakeholders, and clients to report on the emissions associated with their investment portfolios – a much more c…

1
A Cheat Sheet on Climate Funds 14:29

12M ago14:29

14:29

They may not be new, but climate funds have recently hit their stride. From managing transition risk, to targeting technology opportunities, to aligning with the Paris agreement – these funds come in all shapes and sizes and with pretty diverse objectives. On this episode we catch you up on where climate funds stand today, and how differently they’…

1
Stop! In The Name Of Sustainability Funds (i.e., ESMA’s New Guidelines) 27:05

12M ago27:05

27:05

Maybe a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but that’s not going to fly for sustainability funds in the EU. On this episode we break down ESMA’s latest fund guidelines and discuss their place in a regulatory landscape with all kinds of moving pieces. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Meggin Eastman & Simone Ruiz-Vergote, MSCI…

1
Can Airlines Go Green? 19:58

1y ago19:58

19:58

Airlines are part of a hard to abate industry for a reason as there is not one straightforward path to decarbonization. In this episode, we discuss the options that airlines have to reduce their direct emissions in the coming decades – and we tell you which ones are more likely to be more viable. Host: Gabriela de la Serna, MSCI ESG Research Guest:…

1
Spirits of Change: Alcohol in a Dry World 13:57

1y ago13:57

13:57

Alcoholic beverage companies are trying to navigate through a changing world, one where tastes are evolving, and resources are getting scarcer. In this episode, delve into the significant challenges and innovative strategies the alcoholic beverage industry is employing to combat this shift in drinking trends. Host: Michael Disabato, MSCI ESG Resear…

1
AI is Diagnosing and Texas is Burning 17:08

1y ago17:08

17:08

Everyone is talking about AI, but on today’s episode we focus on the technology’s potential to disrupt health care. Then, we switch things up to look at how wildfires are exacerbating physical, legal and financial risks for electric utilities in the U.S. Host: Gabriela de la Serna, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Namita Nair & Mathew Lee, MSCI ESG Resear…

1
Pondering Peak Emissions in China 20:49

1y ago20:49

20:49

Coal still makes up a big cut of China’s energy mix. But the country’s growth in renewables is undeniable. As climate targets are laid down and climate change accelerates, figuring out China’s emissions trajectory is tricky. And that’s OK – we love a tricky discussion. Host: SK Kim, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Cody Dong & Siyao He, MSCI ESG Research…

1
Does Your Board Need a Climate Superstar? 16:25

1y ago16:25

16:25

For some investors, having a climate-savvy director on a company’s board may seem like a non-negotiable. But data from some of the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters shows that successful climate governance is complex and may require more than pinning all your hopes on a climate superstar. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Florian…

1
Children are still in the Cocoa Field 22:25

1y ago22:25

22:25

This week we provide an update to our March 2022 episode titled Children in the Cocoa Field that explored the growing problem of child labor in cocoa harvesting. And the attempt by Nestlé to use money and enhanced mapping technology to combat its prevalence. It sounds bleak, but it was a great story about how technology is allowing for better trans…

1
Unwrapping the Green Claims of Plastic Packaging 21:00

1y ago21:00

21:00

Plastic is an inescapable reality of the modern world. But trading off its convenience and versatility for environmental and health impacts is getting harder. Companies that make or rely on plastic are being pushed to improve recyclability and reuse. And as tempting as it is to believe everything you read on a label, it looks like the road to a gen…

1
The SEC Tests out the Climate 19:16

1y ago19:16

19:16

The SEC’s climate disclosure rule is finally here. It’s been a journey, one akin to a film drama full of plot twists, cliff hangers and edge of the seat moments. So in honor of the drama, this week we do a film review of sorts on this wide reaching regulation - going into the plot, the actors involved, and how the industry is likely to be affected …

1
Women on Boards and Beyond! 19:02

1y ago19:02

19:02

We have been reporting on board’s gender diversity since 2009, and while progress has undoubtedly been made, the road ahead is still long. Linda-Eling Lee from MSCI’s Sustainability Institute tells us why we started compiling this report in the first place, and how it has managed to remain relevant in 2024. Then, our colleague Christina Milhomem te…

1
ExxonMobil's Legal Parry 15:10

1y ago15:10

15:10

ExxonMobil filed a legal complaint against two of its own shareholders, who were hoping to put a climate-related proposal to a vote at the company’s upcoming AGM. We discuss why it’s a decision that could have consequences for the wider shareholder community and the companies they invest in. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guest: Harlan Tuf…

1
The Luxury of Love 15:58

1+ y ago15:58

15:58

Valentines day is replete with marketing by luxury brands attempting to capture the eyes of anxious lovers wanting to do right by their partners during the holiday. But what can you know about the product you’re buying from a luxury company? Can you know where its raw materials are sourced? Or where that material is produced? And who’re running the…

1
Cyber Catastrophe Bonds... Wait, What? 16:58

1+ y ago16:58

16:58

The stakes on data protection and privacy are only getting higher. Hacks, breaches and data leaks are becoming bugbears of the modern corporate world. Insurers offer products for cyber-related incidents, but in a complex, evolving risk landscape, there are a lot of asterisks. We take a look at the current cyber insurance market, and how insurers ar…

1
The Audit World on Fire 13:16

1+ y ago13:16

13:16

Audit firms have been under scrutiny lately after scandal and concern have led some to worry the vital industry is in trouble. But to understand whether fears around an auditor are credible, one must understand how to assess auditor quality. In this episode, we teach you how to assess an audit firm, and answer the question that some are posing: is …

1
Going on a Boeing? 24:52

1+ y ago24:52

24:52

One door plug blowout, one emergency landing and zero injuries. For Boeing, quality checks and tailored governance structures aren’t adding up to a great safety record. But looking at the underlying ESG data might shed light on where things might be going wrong. Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI ESG Research Guests: Mike Disabato & Harlan Tufford, MSCI ES…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

MSCI ESG Research LLC Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen