As corporate treasurers tend to their stable of institutional investors and seek to draw new ones through roadshows and other communications, they may be wise to illicit investors’ concerns about responsible investing as well as take stock of what corporate leaders are doing.
“Growing an investor base is partly about financial performance, and there is good evidence to show that ESG [environmental, social and governance] investments can have a positive and stable effect on corporate financial performance over time,” said Doug Morrow, associate director of thematic research at Sustainanalytics, a research firm servicing investors and financial institutions. “Implementing ESG projects, like energy efficiency retrofits, or creating products with embedded sustainability advantages can help stabilize or even attract new debt and equity investors.”
Treasurers are on the front line in terms of communicating with investors about their companies’ ongoing financial performance and risk outlook (see related story here). A company such as Tesla is more of a pure play on the environmental front, as it becomes a leader in energy storage solutions in addition to selling electronic vehicles. Companies that promote environmental, social and governance policies internally, often for branding purposes, and perhaps through their supply chains may require more nuanced disclosures and explanations to investors.
Sustainanalytics recently published a report focusing on the impact of the United Nation’s Paris climate conference in December and arguing that the final agreement signals a fundamental change in how the international community handles climate change and should be a boon for low-carbon technologies. It then goes into detail about how 10 major companies are leading the charge.
LG Chem, Origin Energy and Alstom, recently acquired by General Electric, are examples of companies that have taken the lead in terms of driving future growth by supplying other companies with environmentally friendly products. The report notes that while 73% of LG’s business comes from energy intensive petrochemicals manufacturing, the Seoul-headquartered company’s growing lithium-ion batter business is a backbone technology for both the electronic vehicle and renewable energy industries.
In addition, LG Chem is a major player in the energy storage system (ESS) market, which boosts the effectiveness of renewable energy sources by storing the energy for on-demand use, the report says, adding that LG has partnered with AES, a major US energy company to expand its share of the ESS market.
Other companies are already acting on forecasts that global food prices could dramatically increase as a result of climate change. Kellogg, for example, has set a goal to reduce its emissions by 50% or more by 2050 and has developed a roadmap that includes investments in energy efficiency, low-carbon energy sources, transportation and distribution technologies, and optimizing its network. As one of the 10 largest food companies globally, it is also seeking to reduce the emissions of its supply chain by 50%, signaling to agricultural producers that they must reign in carbon emissions.
Sustainanalytics didn’t analyze the 10 companies’ stock performance in relation to their ESG efforts, but Kellogg’s stock price has increased steadily since the financial crisis, even amid the equity downturn earlier this year. In addition, the BBB+ company sold Euro600 million in bonds a year ago for a tight 57 basis point spread.
The report notes that other companies have tied their brands to environmentally sustainable policies, measures they’ve clearly determined to be attractive to both customers and investors. The beauty supply may not be the first industry investors connect to the environment. However, weather events have impacted L’Oreal’s ability to get key natural ingredients, and it is seeking carbon reductions from its suppliers, implementing sustainable building standards, and using electric cars and other lower emission distribution options. Insurer Allianz was once one of the top investors in the coal industry and it is now “decarbonizing” its assets and has become one of the world’s largest investors in the renewable energy sector.
Mr. Morrow notes that treasurers are fundamentally concerned with managing risk, leaving to a clear rationale for them to be aware of their companies’ ESG performance and trend line. Poor ESG performance in areas such as environmental or human rights polices, or a lack of diversity at the board or senior management levels, have become increasingly associated with higher operational and financial risk, he says.
“In the context of our report, we show that fossil fuel companies face a long term structural challenge from the Paris Agreement and an economy that is shifting to renewables at the margin, while low-carbon technologies are generally poised to benefit,” Mr. Morrow said. “All of this will ultimately play out in terms of cash flow and market share, so there is good reason for treasury departments to monitor a company’s exposure to ESG risks and opportunities.”