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J.S. Held Strengthens Forensic Accounting and Financial Investigations Expertise and Expands Suite of Services in Canada with Acquisition of ADS Forensics
Read MoreAsset managers need companies to provide climate risk disclosure that is clear, precise, and tailored to specific sustainability guidelines. While there are numerous third-party frameworks that asset managers are using, the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) provides the most widely endorsed climate change reporting framework. Company disclosure in line with the TCFD framework is becoming a requirement by shareholders. Sustainability managers can begin preparing today by understanding the disclosure requirements and building their climate data management systems.
In 2016, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors became concerned that climate change was a risk that could potentially lead to financial instability. They were also concerned there was inadequate and inconsistent disclosure standards. Given these concerns, the Financial Stability Board’s (FSB) chair, Mark Carney, was tasked with reviewing how the financial sector can better account for climate-related issues. The Task Force, chaired by Michael Bloomberg, was asked to develop voluntary, consistent climate-related financial disclosures that would be useful to investors, lenders, and insurance underwriters in understanding material climate-related risks. Following a public comment period in 2017, the TCFD released its final recommendations report and supplemental materials including:
The Task Force structures its recommendations around four key areas (see Table 1).
Companies are unlikely to face divestment or dissenting shareholders immediately, but TCFD disclosure for all intents and purposes is no-longer optional. There will be time for companies to fall in line with reporting expectations, and this is more likely to be driven by regulators than investors.
Companies should start now before full compliance with sustainability disclosure standards is required. This is an iterative process. Starting now with an imperfect disclosure is better than waiting until the internal practices and procedures are in place.
Sustainability managers should consider taking the following steps:
We would like to thank Steven Andersen for providing insights and expertise that greatly assisted this research.
Steven Andersen is a Senior Vice President in J.S. Held’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) practice. Steven has spent over 17 years in the EHS industry, with specific experience in air emissions management systems, information management systems, and data integration. He commonly fills the role of sponsor on large scale implementation projects, consults on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy and data management, and has performed the role of solution architect on many air emissions system implementations. As the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Frostbyte Consulting, Steven was responsible for strategy, partnerships, and business development. Under Steven’s leadership, Frostbyte grew into a company that delivers ESG and EHS advisory and information systems globally across all industry sectors.
Steven can be reached at [email protected] or +1 368 209 1012.
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