CFA Institute Sustainable-Investing - Sustainable Investing Certificate (CFA-SIC) Exam

ESG rating providersrely on multiple sources of public information, includingcompany reports, government databases, and nonprofit organizations.

They do not require company-reported ESG data to be audited (A).

Many ESG rating providers (e.g., MSCI, Sustainalytics) use CDP carbon data, making (C) incorrect.

Alternative Performance Metrics (APMs)refer tonon-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measuresthat companies use toadjust reported earnings(e.g., EBITDA adjustments, pro forma earnings). The use of APMs raises concerns aboutreporting transparency, as they may be used tomask poor financial performanceormanipulate investor perceptions.

Strong corporate governance requires companies toclearly disclose the rationale for APMs, ensuring consistency and avoiding misleading representations.

Asingle-tier boardstructure, where executive and non-executive directors sit ononeboard, istypical in the UKand many othercommon-law jurisdictions.

In contrast, Germany (C) follows atwo-tier board system, which separatesmanagement (executive board) from oversight (supervisory board). China (A) has a hybrid structure withmandatory Communist Party oversightin large firms.

Universal exclusionapplies to sectors that investorscompletely exclude, such astobacco, weapons, or controversial industries.

Idiosyncratic exclusions (B)arecase-by-case exclusionsbased on specific client preferences.

Conduct-related exclusions (C)focus oncompanies violating ethical norms, rather than entire sectors.

Effectiveengagement strategiesrequireclear escalation measuresif a companyfails to address ESG concerns. Escalation steps include:

Private dialoguewith management

Public shareholder resolutions

Proxy voting or divestment threats

Option A is incorrect because investorsprioritizekey ESG concerns rather than engaging on every issue. Option B is misleading—financial performance is a critical part of ESG engagement discussions.

Incap-and-tradeemissions trading systems, companiesreceive or buy permits to emit greenhouse gases. Some permitsmay be allocated free of charge, especially in the early phases of programs like theEU Emissions Trading System (ETS)to help industriestransition to lower emissions.

Light Greenbonds supportshort-term emissions reductionsbut do not contribute significantly tolong-term climate resilience.

Medium Green (C) supports more sustainable, long-term transitions.

Yellow (A) is not a recognized CICERO category.

Thecircular economyfocuses onreducing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.Sustainable resource use (B)aligns directly with circular economy principles, as it promotesrecycling, renewable materials, and closed-loop production systems.

Pollution (A) and climate change (C) are environmental risks but do notdirectlysupport the transition to a circular economy.

ESG rating providerstypically uselonger time horizonsthan credit rating agencies because ESG factors (e.g., climate change, governance risks)unfold over extended periods.

Credit rating agencies focus onshort-term default risk, whereas ESG ratings assesslong-term sustainability risksthat may impactvaluation and performance over decades.

TheEU Green Taxonomyprovides aclassification system that defines which economic activities are environmentally sustainable, ensuringinvestors and companies align with EU climate goals.

It does not classify all businesses by ESG scores (A).

It does not mandate investment in climate solutions (C), but encourages it.

Share buybacks impact a company’s capital structure, and investors may voteagainst excessive buybacksif theyweaken financial stability or reduce reinvestment in sustainable growth.

Auditor compensation (B) and board elections (C) are important but do not directly affect capital structure decisions.

Carbon footprinting allows emissions data to be aggregated across geographies, supply chains, and business units,providing a holistic view of carbon impact.

It is typically backward-looking rather than forward-looking (A).

There are multiple carbon accounting methodologies (B), but they are not always standardized.

Ajust transitionensures that the move toward alow-carbon economy is fair, particularly forworkers in carbon-intensive industries. It promotessocial inclusion, retraining programs, and economic supportfor affected communities.

Carbon taxes (B) and immediate divestment (C) are strategies but do not define a just transition.

Credit rating agencies incorporateESG risksinto their credit analysis, but there is ageographical biasfavoringcompanies in regions with high ESG reporting standards(e.g., Europe, North America). This bias arises because firms in these regionsdisclose more ESG data, making them easier to evaluate.

Companies inemerging marketsmay beunderrateddue tolimited ESG disclosures, even if their actual ESG risks are similar to those of developed-market firms.

ï‚· Effective Engagement Strategies:

For engagement to be meaningful and cost-effective, investors need to prioritize and identify which companies in their portfolio require the most attention.

ï‚· Targeted Engagement:

By focusing on the companies most in need of engagement, investors can allocate their resources more efficiently.

This targeted approach helps in addressing significant ESG risks and opportunities that can materially impact the company’s performance.

ï‚· Broader Discussion:

While it is important to frame the engagement topic within the company’s broader strategy, discussing long-term financial performance and risks is crucial for holistic engagement.

ï‚· References:

Identifying the company most in need of engagement is a recommended strategy in the 2021 ESG investing documentation​​​​.

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