Sustainability Now

On February 28, the Strait of Hormuz shut down, stranding 20% of the world's crude exports and 20% of global LNG capacity. Energy crises usually send the world running back to coal; but this time, coal generation outside China actually fell, while wind, solar, and batteries picked up the slack. Host Mike Disabato talks with MSCI's Chris Cote about whether a war in the Middle East just accelerated the end of fossil fuels, which industries can pivot now, and why countries burned twice by energy dependence may never go back. 
Episode reading: The Opportunity in Energy Disruption — Batteries Included
Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI Sustainability & Climate
Guest: Chris Cote, MSCI Sustainability & Climate

For years, biodiversity risk has been a blind spot for investors — difficult to measure and even harder to link to financial performance. But that’s starting to change. In this episode, we explore how more granular, location-based data is helping investors see where companies are truly exposed to nature-related risks. 

Host: Gabriela da la Serna, MSCI Research & Development
Guest: Bettina Meyer, MSCI Research & Development

As climate risk accelerates, insurers face a core challenge — pricing a future that no longer resembles the past. While some are adopting forward-looking models, much of the industry still reacts after losses occur, raising questions about resilience across the financial system.

Guests: David Carlin, D.A. Carlin & Company; Pam Palena, MSCI Research & Development
Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI Research & Development

Carbon footprints tell you where a fund has been. But do they tell you how it’s positioned for the road ahead?
In this episode, we unpack new research from Positioning Portfolios for the Energy Transition (link to paper) analyzing more than 37,000 funds representing USD 50 trillion in assets. The research finds that funds with stronger energy transition positioning were associated with higher historical returns — and stronger links to decarbonization outcomes.
We explore the distinction between transition pressure (risk exposure) and transition readiness (strategic preparedness), why managing transition risk is different from achieving temperature alignment, and how investors can balance financial performance with climate objectives.
If you think climate analysis begins and ends with carbon intensity, this conversation may change your perspective.
Host: Mike Disabato, MSCI Sustainability & Climate
Guest: Kishan Gangadia, MSCI Sustainability & Climate

Sustainable investors are redrawing their red lines. As defense spending rises, the definition of “controversial weapons” is being reexamined — from nuclear value chains to AI-enabled systems in the kill chain. Where those lines fall could reshape portfolios. 

Host: Bentley Kaplan, MSCI Research & Development
Guest: Mike Disabato, MSCI Research & Development