Governance Watch Webcast: What Is the Future of ESG in Corporate Debt Markets?

Webinar

Cleary Gottlieb partner Duane McLaughlin was a speaker at The Conference Board’s Governance Watch Webcast: What Is the Future of ESG in Corporate Debt Markets?

In the past decade, we have seen a dramatic increase in sustainability-linked debt in both public bonds and bank loans, rising from some $30 million in issuances in 2013 to $1.6 trillion in 2021. But now, with U.S. CEOs ranking higher national debt their No. 1 concern and higher borrowing costs their No. 4 concern, with corporate debt defaults rising, and with both pro- and anti-ESG regulatory and market forces at play, what does the future hold for the role of ESG in debt markets? This is a critical topic for public and private companies alike as they assess how ESG can help them in competing for capital at an affordable price.

The discussion will focus on the following questions:

• What are the major trends to watch in public debt and bank debt markets?
• Where does ESG fit today into bond markets and bank lending, including sustainability-linked and mainstream debt instruments?
• What forces will shape the future of ESG in debt markets, including regulation, credit rating agencies, and expectations of bondholders and bank lenders?
• What are the lessons learned thus far in ESG-related debt?
• What opportunities lie ahead for creditors and corporate borrowers?

Participants:

• Kristi Ziegler Eberhardt, Managing Director & Head of Sustainable Finance, PNC Financial Services
• Michael Ferguson, Managing Director and Team Leader, Sustainable Finance Americas, S&P Global Ratings
• Duane McLaughlin, Partner, Cleary Gottlieb
• Carol Hansell, Senior Partner, Hansell LLP; ESG Center Fellow (Moderator)

This Governance Watch program is co-hosted by Cleary and The Conference Board ESG Center.

Learn more here.

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