SEC Must Reconsider Scope 3 Reporting in the Proposed Climate Risk Disclosure Rule

On June 17, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) is due to receive comments from companies and interested parties in response to the SEC proposed Climate Risk Disclosure Rule. The proposed rule is well-intentioned, but to say the least, very controversial. As comments are received, the SEC will be charged with absorbing a wide range of perspectives, including concerns, but also suggestions for improvement. By way of background, on March 21, 2022, the SEC proposed a rule that would require registrants to report climate-related disclosures in their filings, including information about climate-related risks that might have a material impact on their business operations and financial results as a part of audited financial statements. The information about climate-related risks also would include disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions, referred to as “Scope” emissions. Those include direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1), and indirect emissions from purchased forms of energy (Scope 2). Most controversial, however, is a requirement to disclose GHG emissions from upstream and downstream activities within its business operations value chain (Scope 3). By definition, Scope 3 emissions include those resulting from activities or assets not directly controlled or owned by the registrant, but they are part of the upstream (suppliers)…

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U.S. Natural Gas Supply Robust For Foreseeable Future

  Some good news amid pandemic and strained energy supply. Americans can rely on having clean natural gas needed now and well into the future. American Gas Association (AGA) recently hosted a webinar for the release of the Potential Gas Committee’s annual assessment of supply. The PGC estimates that the US has 3368 TCF of total natural gas resources. That’s more than 100 times our current annual demand! US natural gas can meet our domestic needs while also fueling job growth and lower global emissions through exports.   See AGA’s release here: https://www.aga.org/news/news-releases/report-u.s.-natural-gas-supply-remains-abundant/

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Good Business – The Talk, Fight, Win Way to Change the World

As Environmental, Social, and Governance – so-called ESG principles continue to move to the forefront, the release of Bill Novelli’s new book, “Good Business – The Talk, Fight, Win Way to Change the World” could not be more perfectly timed. In a 1970 essay, the economist, Milton Friedman, noted the social responsibility of business is to increase its profits and its only responsibility is to its shareholders.  In over 40 years that have passed, things have certainly changed. In this must read book for everyone currently in the business world, as well as business students and instructors, Novelli cites with clarity the imperative for managing a business today and into the future.   That imperative is understanding how to integrate social and environmental strategies to not only improve financial performance but create greater good for other stakeholders and society as well. With investors now actively seeking investment portfolios that reflect and support sound finance with a “greater good” strategic perspective, readers will be pleased to know that the rising global business leaders under Novelli’s wing are going to be well-informed and ready to ensure the requisite balance of positive financial, social, and environmental outcomes. Mike Roman, President, CertainPoint Strategies, L.L.C., Non-resident Senior…

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As We Address Climate Change Everyone Has Responsibility

Climate change and greenhouse gas reduction efforts got front page headlines in the last week.  Those headlines pointed to three of the international energy companies, with ExxonMobil and Chevron hearing from their shareholders, while Royal Dutch Shell was dealt a precedent-setting ruling from the district court in The Hague. Many reports mentioned that as a result of shareholder activism and court action, these companies, as well as others in the energy industry, had been put on notice. But there is another headline that should be forthcoming.  It should reflect that these companies are not alone. Climate change and related issues require coordinated communication and well informed and fact-based action.  Shareholders, lawmakers, and for that matter, all users of energy, are on notice as well.  They all have their own important responsibilities and obligations. Most importantly, there is an immediate need to communicate a better understanding how we use energy, what energy sources drive our lives and economy today, and how realities of science and available technology will affect the transition timelines needed to meet climate driven emissions reduction targets. Despite some imposed mandates and an understandable and necessary level of urgency, transition will, in some cases, still take decades to achieve.…

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Of Breaking Points and Survival

As a new administration and Congress take the reins, Americans are yearning for a return to something that seems a little more like what we remember as normal day-to-day life. Almost everyone has been impacted by the pandemic in some way, and sadly, some much more than others. Like many, I have personally seen the devastating impact of Covid-19 taking the lives of friends. The impacts of the pandemic are well known. They include the exhausted first responders, and the researchers and medical staff who have in record time developed and administered vaccines to slow the virus. If that is not enough, we now see a resurging, new, and more pernicious variant of this virus. Hospitals and their staffs are at their breaking points but continue to treat and fight for the survival of every patient in their care. Amid all of this, there is an entire segment of our economy that is also victim to the pandemic, and we must not lose sight of their plight. The small businesses, entrepreneurs, and their families are all victims. They are mentioned because they are, in fact, the backbone of our U.S. economy – and of economies across the globe – and…

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The Spirit of Comrades

Among my most prized possessions are three finishers medals from the Congress ultra-marathon in South Africa.  I’m lucky now to be able to give back to Comrades as an international volunteer “Ambassador” for Comrades. With our race coming up on June 14, I’d like to share some thoughts. This year, because of the Covid pandemic, the race is canceled.  But, the “Spirit of Comrades” is not forgotten. We’re going to have a virtual “Comrades Legend Race,” on Sunday, June 16th. You can run, walk, or crawl 5km all the way to the Comrades race distance of 90km.  You can do it anywhere, including on a treadmill at home. You’ll get a real medal from South Africa and your results will be published on the official Comrades website. All you need to know about the Comrades Legends race and how you can participate is explained here: www.comrades.com/ The “Spirit of Comrades” is international. I’m proud to say that Cheryl Winn, an American by birth, is the only person to have won the race and now serves as Chairperson of the Comrades Marathon Association.  In 2005, Cheryl and I had a bottle of nice South African wine and dreamed of how great it would…

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