LETTER:Environmental risk rating
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr David Lascelles
Sir: In your business section today ("Index will give companies a 'green' rating", 31 May), you report that the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI) decided not to launch a "green rating" scheme because of the length of time it took to complete an experimental rating of Scottish Nuclear.
In fact, the Scottish Nuclear rating was always intended only as an experiment to test the "green rating" concept, which the CSFI, in its role as a think tank, believes deserves closer examination. The problem of environmental liability is little understood in the financial markets, and any method that enables lenders and investors to make better informed decisions about it will obviously fulfil a valuable role. Our conclusion was that environmental risk rating is useful, provided it focuses on a company's "bottom line", rather than just its environmental friendliness or otherwise.
The CSFI (which is a charity) is not in the business of launching commercial projects, but it does aim to disseminate new ideas for the financial community. Far from discouraging environmental risk rating, as your story suggests, our report on Scottish Nuclear has been acclaimed as a pioneering piece of work in a field of growing interest. Ecco, Infocheck and anyone else are welcome to build on what we have done; that is what the Centre is for.
Yours faithfully,
DAVID LASCELLES
Chairman
Advisory Council
Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation
London, W1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments