ESG Ratings: In Talk with Prof. Dr. Peter Hongler (University of St. Gallen)

In this episode Arne Schnitger and Christian Kaeser talk with Peter Hongler, Professor of Tax Law at the University of St. Gallen, Director at the IFF-HSG and also member of the Tax for SDG Initiative from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). As an expert for ESG Peters outlines the two rationales of ESG Ratings, one focused on the risks enterprises have in the area of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and the other focused on the positive impact of enterprises on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). They discuss the different approaches of rating agencies, the importance of transparency, the question if paying taxes always has a good impact on the SDGs and what "window dressing" means in the context of ESG Ratings.