$29trillion signals more investors heeding ESG risks: RAM Ratings

RAM Ratings observes that the consideration of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) risks is gaining traction within the USD100 tril global bond market. This is evident from the surge in assets under management, from USD15.9 tril (2016) to USD29 tril (2019), held by investors that are signatories to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment’s (PRI) Statement on ESG in Credit Ratings (PRI ESG Statement).

Through this initiative, the PRI aims to better align investors and credit rating agencies (CRAs) on the importance of ESG issues. On 26 May 2016, RAM Ratings joined the global line-up of six pioneer CRA signatories to the PRI ESG Statement. Today, the PRI ESG Statement is supported by 147 investors and 18 CRAs.

In line with its commitments under the PRI ESG Statement, RAM published its Primer on ESG in Credit Ratings on 1 September 2016. RAM has been a strong voice in global ESG thought leadership through our involvement in international forums and published views. On 3 July 2018, RAM’s efforts culminated in the publication of two papers - RAM’s Criteria & Methodology: Integrating Environmental, Social and Governance Considerations into Credit Ratings and Standpoint Commentary: Championing PRI’s ESG in Credit Ratings. “Since July 2018, our views and analysis of ESG factors have been integrated into the relevant sections of our credit rating rationales,” highlights Foo Su Yin, CEO of RAM Ratings.

The PRI has been working with investors and CRAs since the launch of the PRI ESG Statement in 2016. This collaboration seeks to promote market understanding of practices, identify gaps in the consideration of ESG factors in credit risk analysis, and find ways to address such gaps. The PRI - through its Advisory Committee on Credit Ratings, of which RAM is a member - has published the three-part Shifting perceptions: ESG, credit risk and ratings series of seminal reports. Part 1: The state of play was published on 4 July 2017, followed by Part 2: Exploring the disconnects on 12 June 2018, and Part 3: From disconnects to action areas on 30 January 2019. These three PRI publications are available at www.unpri.org/credit-ratings. “The PRI initiative has been an important catalyst to stimulate visible change by CRAs”, says Carmen Nuzzo, Senior Consultant, Credit Ratings Initiative. “We look forward to continue the collaboration and to the work ahead with RAM Ratings, which has been a leading active contributor”, added Carmen.

Media contact
Padthma Subbiah
(603) 7628 1162
padthma@ram.com.my 

The credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, inasmuch as it does not comment on the security’s market price or its suitability for a particular investor, nor does it involve any audit by RAM Ratings. The credit rating also does not reflect the legality and enforceability of financial obligations.

RAM Ratings receives compensation for its rating services, normally paid by the issuers of such securities or the rated entity, and sometimes third parties participating in marketing the securities, insurers, guarantors, other obligors, underwriters, etc. The receipt of this compensation has no influence on RAM Ratings’ credit opinions or other analytical processes. In all instances, RAM Ratings is committed to preserving the objectivity, integrity and independence of its ratings. Rating fees are communicated to clients prior to the issuance of rating opinions. While RAM Ratings reserves the right to disseminate the ratings, it receives no payment for doing so, except for subscriptions to its publications.

Similarly, the disclaimers above also apply to RAM Ratings’ credit-related analyses and commentaries, where relevant.

© Press Release 2019