Pandemic makes climate action case as sustainable funds do well

David Martin spoke with Roll Call about the success of companies that consider environmental, social, and governance issues in their business models through the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Martin says, “The pandemic is causing companies to ask and answer questions which ESG, in some areas at least, has already been asking. What is your ability to cope with a broader context of facts and circumstances, what is your long-run sustainability — now may be more informed by the potential of something as dramatic as this.” He adds that the crisis may lead more companies to focus on ESG management and disclosure because they feel they need to do so to sustain themselves over the long haul, rather than in response to outside pressure. It may be a “big leap forward” for ESG.