Categories
The ESG Report

The Role of Tax in ESG with Tracy Howell


 
Operating in a tax-efficient manner is a wise business move for a multitude of reasons. It’s time to start the conversation about the benefits of a relationship between tax and ESG, especially in multinational organizations. That’s what Tom Fox and Tracy Howell are discussing in this episode of The ESG Report. 
 

 
How Tax and ESG Intersect
Tracy tells Tom, “There are external forces pulling tax into the ‘S’ and ‘G’ of ESG.” In the social sector, different jurisdictions have different tax rates and laws, and as companies begin to operate in a tax-efficient manner, their activities will gravitate towards lower tax regimes. Tracy adds, “You’ve got forces trying to push the concept of ‘fair share’ rather than compliance with tax laws of different jurisdictions.” Governance-wise, it’s becoming more common for companies to be required to talk about their compliance tax audits. 
 
The Role of Tax in a Company
With the growing pressures on ESG transparency, there’s a push to standardize reporting and scorecarding of companies based on their tax transparency. This would include things like the reporting of an organization’s effective tax rate. 
 
Tax and ESG in Multinational Organizations 
Institutional investors play a major role in impacting the activities of a multinational company. When making investment decisions, these entities heavily incorporate ESG scorecards with tax transparency, further emphasizing the need for a relationship between the two sectors. 
 
RESOURCES 
Tom Fox’s email
Tracy Howell | Email | LinkedIn
 

Categories
ESG Compliance Podcast

Unfolding ESG for Private Investments with Trysha Daskam


Thoughtful evaluation – that’s what Trysha Daskam says about what sets apart Silver Regulatory Associates from other investment firms.
Thoughtful evaluation – that’s what Trysha Daskam says about what sets apart Silver Regulatory Associates from other investment firms.
With her strong foundation in compliance and regulatory expertise, Trysha unpacks the fundamentals, trends, and projections of ESG through the lens of private fund managers.
▶️ Unfolding ESG for Private Investments with Trysha Daskam.
Key points discussed in the episode:
(00:34) Trysha Daskam gives a rundown of her professional background as the managing director and head of ESG strategy in Silver Regulatory Associates.
(01:16) The three distinct services that Silver Regulatory Associates provides and the type of clients they’ve been working with since 2018.
(02:09) The unique ways Silver Regulatory Associates helps firms “shine” in the regulated space. Daskam explains how their firm evaluates managerial decisions through the lens of the investment strategy, putting themselves in their clients’ shoes.
(03:42): ESG programs must be treated with the same cautiousness and prudence as other policies. There should be an emphasis on training members to regulate and execute the program efficiently and properly.
(05:37): Having an ESG program is more than just an idea. Daskam describes how she guides investment firms into putting their strategies to fruition with the correct procedures, monitoring practices, and tools.
(07:28) Different industries are starting to realize the importance of ESG rolling out climate–centered projects and transparent DENI statistics. Financial services are pressured to come into the picture. Daskam predicts 2022 as a hallmark year for regulatory momentum among fund managers.
(09:31) The three key areas of focus for private investment managers in 2022.
(12:44) Greenwashing has become the core of regulatory movements. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sees it as “a major risk in the current marketplace.” The urgent call for established standards to prevent misleading investors with deceptive language continues to intensify.
(14:31) Daskam forecasts a standardization of ESG reporting in the DENI and the FCC in 2022 as two prominent organizations have utilized diversity, equity, and inclusion questionnaires.
(15:54) Fierce competition in the investment space regarding managers putting extra effort in ESG programs and joining meaningful organizations to import outwardly on their climate impact.
(18:08) Comparable data is difficult to find in ESG market participants. But standardization progress is projected for 2022 as the International Finance Reporting Standards Board developed the International Sustainability Standards Board.
(22:38) A more sophisticated marketplace among investment firms is taking place as more players enter to take a slice of the pie.
(25:13) The investment space going into the future.
Trysha Daskam is a seasoned sustainability practitioner with an academic background unique to the industry and manages ESG strategy for investment firms, including the development and implementation of ESG policies, procedures, and internal reporting processes and conducting and overseeing ESG due diligence. Expert in policy writing and implementing regulatory controls, Trysha specializes in interpreting the impact of global regulation on a firm’s ESG program.
Connect: tdaskam@silverreg.com
 
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