Information technology and sustainability both represent major economic transformations. Sometimes linked, but by no means always. Read more …
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WHEB Commentary
Read commentary and opinion pieces on the environmental, social themes and wider issues relating to the topic of sustainability investing.
If the last few months have shown us anything, it is that the role of companies in addressing social and environmental issues is now an accepted – even expected – part of running a business. Read more …
Since the invention of just-in-time manufacturing in the 1960s, companies have been pursuing ever greater efficiency in their supply chains. Consolidating suppliers is one of the most common ways to reduce supply chain costs and improve efficiency. However, the risks of doing so are often overlooked. Robustness and resilience can be sacrificed along the way in exchange of greater efficiency. Read more …
‘Never waste a good crisis’. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union (“EU”) has proposed a €750 billion recovery plan to repair the economic and social damage. But this recovery plan has green strings attached. 25% of the recovery spending is set aside for green investments.
Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at WHEB. As a founding member of the Business Declares network[i], we understand that serious changes need to be made by governments and corporations in order to restrict global warming to 1.5o C above pre-industrial levels.
At the risk of stating the obvious: there is a lot going on at the moment. The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the very fabric of society. We’ve had to carefully re-evaluate every position we hold in the last two months.
Usually our focus on long-term signals makes it relatively easy to screen out the noise, which tends to be shorter term. At the moment, even the noise is long-term. Read more …
It began just before the quarter started. A novel virus emerged in the historic Chinese regional city of Wuhan. That virus would be named COVID-19. It would deliver the worst global pandemic in modern history. Read more …
As we write this review in early mid-April, the UK, alongside many other countries, remains in lock-down. We find ourselves in a period of unprecedented crisis that has driven profound changes in our lifestyles. But like any crisis, society’s response brings with it the opportunity for positive change. Read more …
A crisis puts everything in a new light. Over the last six weeks we’ve worked hard to review our strategy and all of our stocks. We’re looking at them from fresh angles, and with different eyes. And so with investors everywhere, no doubt. Read more …
The term “Net Zero Carbon” (NZC) sounds technical and boring. But it could herald the start of a race to the top in efforts to combat irreversible climate change. Read more …