Wednesday 23 March 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.12.3
Commentary: Russia’s economy may be much smaller than reported
By Miroslav Singer in Prague
Many famous acts of aggression are motivated by the need to divert the attention of citizens away from domestic economic problems. So in that sense, Kremlin aggression in Ukraine was unexpected, given that Russia’s economy appeared to be successfully overcoming the pandemic, having regained its pre-Covid-19 level by mid-2021. However, official Russian gross domestic product may be severely overestimated.
Read the full commentary on the website.
Commentary: Is it time to say RIP to ESG?
By Emma McGarthy in London
‘It’s time to say RIP to ESG,’ declared one of its key proponents at a dinner hosted by OMFIF at the House of Lords. Anne Simpson, newly appointed global head of sustainability at Franklin Templeton, explained that the environmental, social and governance movement had come of age and would be integrated into the ‘visible hand of stewardship’ for all companies and investors. Other voices at the table pointed to a contradictory and potentially irreconcilable debate on standards and a misguided focus on transport.
Read the full commentary on the website.
