Onno Bouwmeister, Global Sector Head - Private Equity at Vistra,
writes an open letter to the PE industry about the major role it
could play in driving the ESG agenda.
As the great and good gathered at the 50th World Economic Forum
in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this year, there was one dominant
theme on the agenda – the climate crisis. From a damning
speech by 17-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg, to panels
featuring the C-suite of some of the world's largest businesses
– including the likes of Coca-Cola and Dow Chemical –
issues centred on the environment and sustainability stole all the
headlines.
Admittedly, the passion was tempered in some quarters –
most notably by politicians whose arguments ranged from pragmatic
realism to climate denial. What was undeniable, however, is that
climate change, indeed broader environmental, social and governance
(ESG) issues are gathering momentum, especially from a corporate
and investment standpoint.
