The Rise and Fall of ESG - and What Next for Sustainable Finance?

In the early 2020s, the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into corporate strategy and investment decisions was widely regarded as a progressive step toward responsible capitalism. But it has since been the subject of a virulent backlash, most notably in the United States, as conservative critics have vilified ESG practices as "woke capitalism" and a threat to market freedom. The re-election of Donald Trump to the presidency has further galvanized this backlash, prompting many major firms to publicly scale back their ESG commitments.

Yet skepticism toward ESG is not confined to the political right. Many progressives have also welcomed ESG's demise, saying that the concept is ambiguous, susceptible to greenwashing, and highlighting the limitations of market-based solutions to systemic environmental and social challenges. They argue that meaningful change requires more robust, government-led reforms to the financial system.

Our panel of experts will chart the rise and fall of ESG, debate its merits, and present their vision for the future of sustainable finance. Join us for a critical and timely conversation on the role of finance in shaping a sustainable and equitable society.

, Climate Report, the Financial Times.

, Assistant professor in political economy, European Institute, London School of Economics & Political Science.

Chair: , Associate Professor in the UCL Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy

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