Charting the Course - August 2024

Q&A WITH TOM DINAPOLI, NYS COMPTROLLER

The urgency for action on the climate crisis continues to grow: July marked the 13th consecutive month that global average temperatures set new monthly records, and the 12th consecutive month of temperatures being 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The potential for even more record-breaking months ahead should underscore that climate change is a material risk to long-term value and must be factored into every investment decision. Investors must also encourage their portfolio companies to actively engage in the transition to a low carbon economy, ensuring that investments support a more sustainable and resilient future. As Climate Week in NYC approaches, we’re excited to share with you the insightful words of New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on addressing the climate crisis and investing in climate solutions.  Watch the video →  

OUR PERSPECTIVES

ETHICAL TECHNOLOGY

BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE AI-DRIVEN WORLD

AI is transforming the global economy, revolutionizing industries, and promising increased productivity and innovation. However, as AI reshapes the economy, it also raises critical questions about its potential negative impacts on the future of work, including job displacement, economic inequality, and the need for worker retraining.  Read more →  

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

DEI UPHOLDS A CORE AMERICAN VALUE

The continued DEI criticism we are observing is not simply a response to the now politicized and misunderstood acronym of “DEI,” but a reaction to the ideas of diversity, equity, and inclusion itself—particularly when these ideas are applied to people of color and women. In a nation founded on the principles of equal representation and opportunity, the ideas of diversity, inclusion, and equity are inextricably part of the fabric of American ideals. 

Read more →  

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• A more inclusive economy is a healthy economy—Supporting workers’s rights is essential for creating a more just world. By focusing on human capital management, fair wages, and labor standards that align with human rights, the business and investment community can drive long term value while amplifying economic equity and social mobility. Read more. 
• RFK Compass Investors Panel calls for urgency to address climate change—Investors remain firmly committed to supporting the energy transition that favors renewables and supporting the businesses that do right by doing good for the environment, panel experts stated. Read more. 
• Investors should ask hard questions amid AI hype cycle—While there are exciting opportunities in disruptive technologies, investors should also ask hard questions about risk, including the AI hype cycle, societal impacts, job disruptions, and the challenges of conducting due diligence on AI startups with high valuations. Read more.
• Heat, Humidity, and Inhumanity: Inside Florida's Heat Protection Preemption Law—At a time when extreme heat has led to a concerning number of deaths and injuries, a recent bill was approved in Florida that prohibits the implementation of local safeguards for outdoor employees from extreme heat. Read more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• September 11–12, 2024—The Connective Capital Consortium: A Braintrust during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference: This inaugural event in Washington D.C. will spotlight the collective efforts among allocators and asset managers to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and its positive impact on ROI. Interested in attending? Email us.
• December 11, 2024—Ripple of Hope Award Gala: This year's laureates include Susan Clark Livingston, partner at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.; Lin-Manuel Miranda, songwriter, actor, director, and producer; Antonio Neri, president and CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise; John W. Rogers, Jr., chairman and co-CEO of Ariel Investments; and Tom Wilson, chair, president, and CEO of The Allstate Corporation. The laureates will be honored on Wednesday, December 11, at a ceremony in New York City emceed by Alec Baldwin. Learn more about this year’s laureates andregister for the ceremony.
• February 5–6, 2025—Spotlight on Diversity in Asset Management: Our second annual Spotlight on Diversity event in Atlanta, GA will shine a spotlight on the collective efforts of the asset management industry to advance DEI. See the agenda from the 2024 event here. Fill out the formhere to indicate your interest in sponsorship or attendance.
• June 9–12, 2025—2025 RFK Compass Summer Investors Conference:Our 2025 flagship conference will convene investment-decision makers—including leading institutional investors and fund managers—for three days of meaningful conversation and connection at the Kennedy Compound and Chatham Bars Inn. Fill out the form here to indicate your interest in joining.

TAKE ACTION

• Did you attend the 2024 RFK Summer Investors Conference? We'd love to hear from you—submit your feedback here. 
• Have an idea for topics or people we should feature in our next newsletter? Email our team to get in touch with suggestions. 

FROM OUR INVESTOR NETWORK

• The NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights’ report on Reimagining Shareholder Advocacy on Environmental and Social Issuespushes for a stewardship strategy that delivers real-world impact, rather than settling for aspirational reports or non-binding promises.
• Ariel Investments released the second Black Corporate Directors Study, which assesses attitudes towards the state of DEI practices in corporate America among directors in their network. Read their findings here.

THIS EDITION BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Fanta NGom (@FantaNGom) is the Director of the Business and Human Rights Department, leading a team that works with a network of 300 investors—who collectively manage $7 trillion in assets globally—as well as corporations to integrate social justice issues into their business and investment practices.

For any questions, please contact communications@rfkhumanrights.org. Click here to view our privacy policy. Copyright © 2024 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. P.O. Box 982, New York, NY 10272 All Rights reserved.