ISS ESG Launches Labels & Standards Solutions

As voluntary ESG labels and standards continue to grow in relevance and popularity globally, ISS ESG, the responsible investment arm of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), launches one-stop fully-integrated ISS ESG Labels & Standards Solutions. These leverage robust data from its wide range of highly-specialized proprietary solutions, to support Asset Managers and Asset Owners in meeting these requirements.

Alignment with labels and standards can be challenging due to the diversity of approaches taken by the administrative bodies. These standards come in many different forms including the integration of global principles, reporting and disclosure frameworks, as well as product specific labels or awards which can often take a combined approach.

Due for release in early February, the ISS ESG Labels & Standards Solutions, are designed to cover key jurisdictions and international frameworks and will be rolled out on a region-specific basis, covering with immediate effect, AMF, GreenFin, AFG, Nordic Swan, UNGC, Label SRI, Label Relance and Towards Sustainability (Febelfin). These will be followed by further Germanic and APAC labels and standards shortly thereafter. Requirements of the different labels and standards vary significantly, from qualitative and quantitative reporting and disclosure, adhering to minimum standards, to integrating ESG considerations into the investment process.

The solutions include ISS ESG’s global coverage of up to 8,000 issuers for equity and fixed income assets, enhanced climate and screening controversies data related to an assessment universe of up to 28,500 issuers’ green house gas data, plus 25,000 issuers covered within Norms Based Research.

Dr. Maximilian Horster, Head of ISS ESG said: “Keeping track of the varying requirements of ESG labels and standards globally is an ongoing challenge for investors. The one-stop fully-integrated ISS ESG Labels & Standards Solutions tailored to different geographic markets provides consolidated functionality for up-to-date review, verification, disclosure and reporting.”