Keynote speech transcript

On March 05, 2026, Chris Crawshay Jones, ERM's Global Industry Lead – Private Markets, delivered the keynote address at the ESG Investing Awards dinner in London, alongside many of the investors and institutions shaping the future of sustainable finance.

His remarks focused on the next phase of the ESG market, including his perspectives on how:

  • The first decade of ESG was about recognition and commitment. Capital flowed, disclosures expanded, and sustainability became embedded in investment processes.
  • The next decade will be defined by something more fundamental: repricing.
  • Carbon, water, safety performance, governance failure and climate resilience are increasingly being translated into financial terms; affecting underwriting, valuation and ultimately the durability of earnings.

As Chris noted during the speech: “ESG is no longer a narrative overlay. It is underwriting discipline.”

Keynote speech transcript from 5 March, 2026 at the ESG Investing Awards

read the speech