• Melissa Chase, Senior Content Marketing Manager, Morningstar Sustainalytics
• Lindsey Stewart, CFA, Director of Investment Stewardship Research, Morningstar Sustainalytics

• Ruthann Bartello, Senior Director, Global Lead, Stewardship
• Kevin Ranney, Senior Director, Sustainable Fixed Income Research

In this episode of ESG in Conversation, Melissa and Lindsey chat about the continued volatility in the sustainable investing market, as well as luxury brands’ focus on ESG and sustainable supply chains. To kick things off, Melissa interviews Kevin Ranney, Senior Director, Sustainable Fixed Income Research. He talks about the evolution of the sustainable fixed income market and shares insights on the latest enhancements to Morningstar Sustainalytics’ second-party opinion assessment framework. Later, Lindsey sits down with Ruthann Bartello, Senior Director, Global Lead, Stewardship, where they discuss Sustainalytics’ involvement in the Pact for the Future and the importance of bringing the investor voice to the conversation about funding the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts on ESG in Conversation. You can email us at podcast@sustainalytics.com.

00:00:24

Introduction

00:06:25

Interview with Kevin Ranney on the evolution of sustainable fixed income investing and Morningstar Sustainalytics second-party opinion framework.

00:24:44

Interview with Ruthann Bartello about efforts to allocate more funding to the Sustainable Development Goals.

00:36:24

Closing remarks

• Sustainalytics Insight: Second Party Opinions a Primary Focus
• Webinar | Enhanced Assessment Framework for Use of Proceeds Second-Party Opinions

Listen to more episodes here.

• Melissa Chase, Senior Content Marketing Manager, Morningstar Sustainalytics
• Lindsey Stewart, CFA, Director of Investment Stewardship Research, Morningstar Sustainalytics

• Hortense Bioy, CFA, Head of Sustainable Investing Research
• Jackie Cook, Senior Director, Stewardship

ESG In Conversation welcomes Lindsey Stewart as the new co-host for the podcast. He and Melissa chat about current developments in the sustainable investment space and the uncertainties investors and companies face. This month’s episode includes three compelling interviews with some of Sustainalytics’ experts, including Lindsey. Tune in to hear perspectives on sustainable investing trends and the continuously changing regulatory landscape. The discussions also cover recent research examining patterns in investors’ proxy voting activities, how companies’ share structures can influence vote outcomes and how that plays out for certain ballot items like say on pay.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts on ESG in Conversation. You can email us at podcast@sustainalytics.com.

00:00:26

Introduction

00:03:32

Interview with Hortense Bioy on sustainable investing trends, regulatory changes and the impact on the investment funds landscape.

00:14:29

Interview with Jackie Cook covering recent research on the impact of dual class share structures on sustainability-focused shareholder resolutions.

00:28:42

Interview with Lindsey Stewart on the widening gap between European and US investors environmentally and socially focused shareholder resolutions.

00:36:24

Closing remarks

• Six Sustainable Investing Trends to Watch in 2025 Report
• Shareholder Democracy and the Challenge of Dual Class Share Structures
• Say on Pay: CEO Compensation and the Long Tail of Shareholder Dissent
• Voting on ESG: A Gap Becomes a Gulf

Ad: To learn more about the Morningstar Sustainable Investing Summit and to register visit https://www.morningstar.com/business/events/morningstar-sustainable-investing-summit

Host:

Melissa Chase, Senior Content Marketing Manager, Morningstar Sustainalytics

Guest:

• Thomas Kuh, Head of ESG Strategy, Morningstar Indexes
• Barbara Lambotte, Head of Sustainable Fixed Income Research
• Azadeh Sabour, Director of Climate Thought Leadership, North America
• Anne Schoemaker, Director, ESG Products
• Catalina Secreteanu, Managing Director, ESG Solutions, Europe
• Lindsey Stewart, Director of Investment Stewardship Research

It’s the start of a new year, a time when many focus on setting new goals and ambitions. In this episode of ESG in Conversation, we explore the resolutions investors and issuers might make when it comes to ESG, climate transition and regulatory issues. Experts from Morningstar Sustainalytics weigh in and share their predictions on what financial market participants will, or should, focus on in the year ahead.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts on ESG in Conversation. You can email us at podcast@sustainalytics.com or take this short survey.

00:00:00

Introduction

00:00:35

Thomas Kuh discusses asset owners

00:05:43

Catalina Secreteanu discussion ESG risk and opportunities

00:08:35

Anne Schoemaker discusses regulations

00:12:52

Azadeh Sabour discusses climate transition finance

00:21:58

Lindsey Stewart discusses stewardship

00:26:03

Barbara Lambotte discusses sustainable fixed income

00:30:59

Closing remarks

• Morningstar Sustainable Investing Index Solutions
• Material ESG Issues Resource Center
• ESG Regulatory Insights Hub
• Climate Solutions Resource Center
• Stewardship Services
• Corporate Solutions – Sustainable Finance and Lending Solutions