Investors face a multitude of intersecting risks, including from environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. Browse Moody’s thought leadership for a heightened understanding of how ESG considerations shape credit strength.

Transforming business and reshaping credit

Green tech innovation

Investment in emerging green technologies like carbon capture and green hydrogen will bring opportunities to secure energy supply chains, boost economic growth and accelerate decarbonization.
 

research
Broader use of carbon capture will have mixed credit implications across sectors

New applications of carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies could reduce exposure to carbon transition risks if policy and innovation bring down high costs and logistical barriers.

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Increasing investment in green technologies holds promise for industrial net zero goals

The clean energy technology needed for net zero futures of steelmaking, aviation and other industries is drawing investment, but a lot more is needed to transform these sectors.

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Growing policy support will speed up innovation in emerging green technologies

Investment in areas such as carbon capture and green hydrogen will bring opportunities for sectors like steel and shipping where technological limits and costs have stymied decarbonization. 

Methodologies, frameworks, and heat maps

01 ESG impact on credit

ESG methodology: integrating ESG into credit analysis

In this cross-sector rating methodology, we explain our general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance risks in our credit analysis for all sectors globally.


02 Carbon transition indicator

Carbon transition indicator framework

In this methodology supplement, we explain our general approach to assigning carbon transition indicator scores, which assess entities’ carbon transition risk using a set of characteristics that we consider to be relevant and material for credit analysis in certain enterprise sectors.


03 Net zero assessments

Net zero assessment framework

Net zero assessments provide an independent and comparable view on the strength of an entity’s carbon emissions reduction plans compared to a global net zero pathway. They incorporate an entity’s ambition, the implementation of its plan and its governance of greenhouse gas emissions reductions.


04 Second party opinions

Second party opinion assessment framework

Our second party opinion assessment framework explains how we provide second party opinions of green, social and sustainability financial instruments or financing frameworks following either a use of proceeds or sustainability-linked approach.


05 Environmental risk heat map

Environmental risk heat map

Our heat map of environmental risk includes 90 sectors with about $82 trillion in rated debt. It reflects our assessment of the credit materiality of environmental risks for sectors across rating groups.


06 Social risk heat map

Social risk heat map

Our heat map of social risk includes 90 sectors with about $82 trillion in rated debt. It reflects our assessment of the credit materiality of social considerations for sectors across rating groups.


ESG methodology: integrating ESG into credit analysis

In this cross-sector rating methodology, we explain our general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance risks in our credit analysis for all sectors globally.


Carbon transition indicator framework

In this methodology supplement, we explain our general approach to assigning carbon transition indicator scores, which assess entities’ carbon transition risk using a set of characteristics that we consider to be relevant and material for credit analysis in certain enterprise sectors.


Net zero assessment framework

Net zero assessments provide an independent and comparable view on the strength of an entity’s carbon emissions reduction plans compared to a global net zero pathway. They incorporate an entity’s ambition, the implementation of its plan and its governance of greenhouse gas emissions reductions.


Second party opinion assessment framework

Our second party opinion assessment framework explains how we provide second party opinions of green, social and sustainability financial instruments or financing frameworks following either a use of proceeds or sustainability-linked approach.


Environmental risk heat map

Our heat map of environmental risk includes 90 sectors with about $82 trillion in rated debt. It reflects our assessment of the credit materiality of environmental risks for sectors across rating groups.


Social risk heat map

Our heat map of social risk includes 90 sectors with about $82 trillion in rated debt. It reflects our assessment of the credit materiality of social considerations for sectors across rating groups.



More ESG insights

View and listen

Female workforce participation boosts global income but gender parity remains far away                                                                                     

Green tech and climate finance will drive ESG credit impact against a complex policy backdrop                                                           

COP28 climate summit highlights carbon transition risks for emerging markets                                                           

Upcoming and recent ESG events

02
May
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Moody’s GCC Summit

One-day summit in Dubai to get the latest insights on region’s sustainable finance markets post-COP28. Hear from our experts about the challenges posed by tightening global financial conditions, dynamic geopolitical landscape, and the critical need for decarbonization.

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2024 APAC ESG and Sustainable Finance Outlook

Join us for our annual outlook webinar where Moody's analysts and leading experts will explore the pivotal ESG trends of 2024 and their effects on credit, along with the decisive elements that will mold the worldwide sustainable debt markets.

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2024 US & EMEA ESG and Sustainable Finance Outlook

Join us for our annual outlook webinar where Moody's analysts and leading experts will explore the pivotal ESG trends of 2024 and their effects on credit, along with the decisive elements that will mold the worldwide sustainable debt markets.


Contact us


Brian Cahill

Managing Director - ESG

brian.cahill@moodys.com

Rahul Ghosh

Managing Director - ESG

rahul.ghosh@moodys.com

Swami Venkataraman

Assc Managing Director - ESG

swami.venkat@moodys.com