In April, as part of our Virtual Future 500 Summit at EarthX, we hosted a webinar devoted to this year’s edition of our Force for Good Forecast. The annual report identifies the top emerging trends driving ESG activism and advocacy. It’s a resource that helps companies see around the corner to minimize risk, head off conflict with employees, investors, and critics, and find opportunities to lead. You can catch the webinar recording here. 

We had tons of audience questions rolling in during our Q&A session. Here are a few of the interesting threads that emerged from your queries.

On Bringing Manufacturing Back Home

Q: “The pandemic could lead to economic and societal breakdowns in parts of Africa and Asia which could, in turn, impact supply chains. Should activists here in the United States be pressuring our governments to force domestic production of critical medications and medical equipment?”

—Sustainability Manager of a global materials manufacturing company

A: “As the novel coronavirus lays bare the vulnerabilities of our globally integrated economy, we’re starting to hear leaders of some large economies—including this one—calling for greater self-reliance. It remains to be seen if this trend will continue, and if public-health activists will begin pushing it. This might occur to some degree, but if we are to develop a cure to COVID-19 and prepare the world to combat future pandemics, we’d be better off leveraging the unique skills and assets of each country to help solve a global problem for the good of humanity.”

—Erik Wohlgemuth, Chief Operating Officer, Future 500

On COVID-19 Tilting the ESG Playing Field

Q: “How might COVID-19 impact investor ESG expectations with respect to policy, performance, and disclosure, if at all?”

—CSR Manager of a global last-mile delivery company

A: “From what we have seen and heard, investors are increasing their ESG expectations, as funds with more active ESG screens have performed better in this market downturn. Understandably, they are paying particular attention to how companies are treating their employees and managing reputational and associated political risk—especially given the country’s extreme election-year polarization.”

—Andreea Rodinciuc, Manager, Future 500

On Green Bond Issuances 

Q: “Do you expect the pandemic will increase the number of green bond issuances, or will they remain about the same?”


—Sustainability Policy & Program Manager at a major petro-chemical company

A: “According to Deutsche Bank, in 2019 the green and sustainability bonds market grew  about 50 per cent, to $345 billion; the bank predicts issuances will crest $1 trillion in 2023. These trend lines reflect the general view that capital markets are taking on the role of incentivizing the ‘sustainable transformation’ of our economy.”

—Erik Wohlgemuth, Chief Operating Officer, Future 500

On the Buzz Around Advanced Recycling

Q: “What are you hearing about advanced recycling techniques and their role, if any, in a circular economy?”

—Industry Consultant, former Vice President of a trade association 

A: “Plenty; this has come up in just about every plastics panel discussion I’ve been party to for the past year. But I’ve also heard significant debate and pushback from some in the environmental NGO community. For example, last fall Greenpeace pronounced advanced recycling a ‘false solution.’ Much of the concern seems to fall into a couple of different camps: First, some advocates say we don’t understand enough about the technologies to deal with health and safety challenges such as potentially recirculating chemicals of concern. Then there’s the Greenpeace angle, which posits that ‘innovation’ is just a distraction from a needed focus on product refill and reuse. There’s a big opportunity for companies and advanced-recycling organizations to engage with their critics to better understand how they can address these concerns and foster dialogue around the role of innovative technologies.”

—Ellen Griesemer, Analyst, Future 500.

On Companies Advocating for a Green Recovery 

Q: “I’m concerned that COVID-19 stimulus spending will flow into projects that don’t necessarily move us to a low-carbon future, but lock in fossil fuels. Any thoughts on how businesses can advocate for resiliency spending?”

—Corporate Sustainability Consultant

A: “Funders and advocates are already working to limit more subsidies to what they argue is an underperforming sector of the economy and focus recovery toward low-carbon outcomes. Business can play an important advocacy role to ensure economic and climate resiliency––and particularly investors, many of whom are now drawing linkages between ESG performance and the ability to withstand shocks. Coalitions such as E2, Ceres Bicep, the CEO Climate Dialogue, and the Climate Leadership Council––while they each have distinctive missions and priorities––provide venues for business leaders to call on policymakers for climate reform and resilience. In addition, collapsing oil prices are shining a spotlight on the risk confronting the oil and gas sector as the U.S., Russia, and Saudi Arabia jockey for a deal to prop up prices. Investors see new reasons for funnelling stimulus funding toward companies that accelerate the energy transition.”

—Brendon Steele, Director, Future 500

Listen to the full webinar recording below. Could your company benefit from a customized C-suite briefing on these trends? Get in touch.

As part of the virtual Future 500 Summit at EarthX, this conversation took place alongside five other webinars with activists, NGO advocates, and business leaders, such as BP, Nestlé, Mighty Earth, Halcyon Agri, ClimateVoice, Project Drawdown, and more. The next Future 500 Summit at EarthX will take place in April 2021. To request your invitation, tell us a bit about yourself via future500.org/summit.

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