The Factory by a Tuscan Beach and the Future of ESG Investing

This FT piece tells a different story to the ESG ratings and hints to the future regulatory changes-

• “This idyllic beach [Rosignano, Italy] perfectly resembles that of a pristine Caribbean resort. But this apparent paradise is a mere illusion; the area is just an open landfill of Solvay’s industrial chemical waste”

• Solvay rejects the accusation and says it adheres to strict environmental standards related to the discharge of effluent from the plant, which it says poses no risk to health or the environment. “We regret that occasional sensational and biased attacks continue to be made regarding our plant in Rosignano,” it says.

• One of the reasons that Solvay is attracting attention from investors is that it has a triple A rating on ESG risks by MSCI, a London-based firm which provides assessments of a company’s record in these categories. MSCI certifies Solvay as a “sector leader” for chemical safety, water usage and clean tech opportunities.

Source: https://www.ft.com/content/fb129666-dc85-48ff-a9c8-3bfa87a715ca