As ESG debates evolve and financial materiality moves to the forefront, the issues shaping company performance are becoming clearer — and more consequential. In this episode of Bloomberg Intelligence’s ESG Currents podcast, BI’s director of ESG research Eric Kane is joined by the analysts who hosted the show throughout the year to break down the ESG forces most likely to influence markets in 2026. Grace Osborne, Rob Du Boff, Melanie Rua, Andy Stevenson, Gail Glazerman, Yasutake Homma, Chris Ratti, Conrad Tan and Shaheen Contractor discuss sustainable debt in emerging markets, shareholder activism, water scarcity, climate damages, the ESG implications of AI, carbon removal, sustainable funds and more.

The episode was recorded on Dec. 9.

As ESG debates evolve and financial materiality moves to the forefront, the issues shaping company performance are becoming clearer &mdash; and more consequential. In this episode of Bloomberg Intelligence&rsquo;s ESG Currents podcast, BI&rsquo;s director of ESG research Eric Kane is joined by the analysts who hosted the show throughout the year to break down the ESG forces most likely to influence markets in 2026. Grace Osborne, Rob Du Boff, Melanie Rua, Andy Stevenson, Gail Glazerman, Yasutake Homma, Chris Ratti, Conrad Tan and Shaheen Contractor discuss sustainable debt in emerging markets, shareholder activism, water scarcity, climate damages, the ESG implications of AI, carbon removal, sustainable funds and more. The episode was recorded on Dec. 9.

ESG has become established as a key business theme as companies and investors seek to navigate the climate crisis, energy transition, social megatrends, mounting regulatory attention and pressure from other stakeholders. The rapidly evolving landscape has become inundated with acronyms, buzz words, and lingo and we aim to break these down with industry experts.

ESG has become established as a key business theme as companies and investors seek to navigate the climate crisis, energy transition, social megatrends, mounting regulatory attention and pressure from other stakeholders. The rapidly evolving landscape has become inundated with acronyms, buzz words, and lingo and we aim to break these down with industry experts.

ESG Currents

What Forces Will Drive ESG Markets in 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4369aa7c-55a0-4097-9f8f-b3b5015b71d9/transcript

Amid a wave of political pressure in recent years, investors have faced greater barriers to engaging with companies, particularly on environmental and social issues. But engagement remains an important tool for identifying and mitigating risks that could hurt long-term shareholder value. On this week’s edition of ESG Currents, senior ESG analyst Rob Du Boff speaks with Andrea Ranger, director of shareholder advocacy for Trillium Asset Management, a long-standing thought leader in ESG investing with around $5 billion in assets under management. They discuss the importance of investment stewardship, why it remains a critical fiduciary duty and how it can be done effectively. This episode was recorded on Dec. 15.

Amid a wave of political pressure in recent years, investors have faced greater barriers to engaging with companies, particularly on environmental and social issues. But engagement remains an important tool for identifying and mitigating risks that could hurt long-term shareholder value. On this week&rsquo;s edition of ESG Currents, senior ESG analyst Rob Du Boff speaks with Andrea Ranger, director of shareholder advocacy for Trillium Asset Management, a long-standing thought leader in ESG investing with around $5 billion in assets under management. They discuss the importance of investment stewardship, why it remains a critical fiduciary duty and how it can be done effectively. This episode was recorded on Dec. 15.

Trillium on the Value of Shareholder Engagement

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1d47f2a9-3c9e-47d8-ba3d-b3e700db73c2/transcript

AI can be a force for good in climate and technology, says Rama Variankaval, Global Head of Corporate Advisory at JPMorgan. In this episode of ESG Currents, Variankaval joins Bloomberg Intelligence Senior ESG Analyst Shaheen Contractor to examine the sustainability themes likely to shape corporate strategy in 2026 and beyond, including AI, energy, adaptation and food security. They discuss how boards are navigating green investments amid tighter capital conditions, changing risk perceptions and the collision between AI-driven growth and energy-system limits.

AI can be a force for good in climate and technology, says Rama Variankaval, Global Head of Corporate Advisory at JPMorgan. In this episode of ESG Currents, Variankaval joins Bloomberg Intelligence Senior ESG Analyst Shaheen Contractor to examine the sustainability themes likely to shape corporate strategy in 2026 and beyond, including AI, energy, adaptation and <a href="https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/sustainability/climate/fate-of-farming-and-food">food security</a>. They discuss how boards are navigating green investments amid tighter capital conditions, changing risk perceptions and the collision between AI-driven growth and energy-system limits.

How AI and Energy Are Reshaping Corporate Strategy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/803f8180-0f81-4874-82d4-b3e000d9e025/transcript

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In Africa, sustainable finance is less about decarbonizing legacy assets and more about building resilient systems that make the continent bankable for decades to come. In this episode of ESG Currents, BI EMEA ESG Integration Analyst Grace Osborne speaks with Amal Benaissa, director of sustainability advocacy at Bank of Africa, on what it takes to effectively mobilize climate capital across emerging markets - and why this agenda is ultimately about macroeconomic stability, not just the environment. From energy efficiency and rooftop solar to food systems, SMEs and clean industrial exports, they explore how blended finance, local-currency lending and more flexible taxonomies can turn transition priorities into investable opportunities and unlock private capital at scale. This episode was recorded on Jan. 13.

In Africa, sustainable finance is less about decarbonizing legacy assets and more about building resilient systems that make the continent bankable for decades to come. In this episode of ESG Currents, BI EMEA ESG Integration Analyst Grace Osborne speaks with Amal Benaissa, director of sustainability advocacy at Bank of Africa, on what it takes to effectively mobilize climate capital across emerging markets - and why this agenda is ultimately about macroeconomic stability, not just the environment. From energy efficiency and rooftop solar to food systems, SMEs and clean industrial exports, they explore how blended finance, local-currency lending and more flexible taxonomies can turn transition priorities into investable opportunities and unlock private capital at scale. This episode was recorded on Jan. 13.

Making Africa Bankable - Financing Resilience

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/792b08f0-2ab0-47ec-ab3c-b3d801379231/transcript

What Forces Will Drive ESG Markets in 2026

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