The ESG Ratings Working Group held its sixth session of 2026 on Wednesday, September 16th, featuring Jennifer Coulson, Senior Managing Director of ESG at BCI (British Columbia Investment Management Corporation).

The conversation focused on how BCI uses sustainability and ESG information in its investment and stewardship activities. Jennifer described investors’ growing preference for accessible, quantitative data, with narrative reporting used to provide context behind changes in performance. She noted that third-party ESG ratings and analyses remain relevant but are used
as reference points alongside BCI’s own assessment of the underlying data and company-specific context.

The discussion also addressed how:

  • Anti-ESG pressures have affected the availability of some corporate environmental and diversity disclosures without changing BCI’s financially material approach,
  • AI is currently improving data-collection efficiency while retaining human oversight, and
  • BCI remains active in green/social/sustainability bonds despite lower issuance and a less consistent “greenium.”

The member-only discussion reinforced the value of direct investor engagement, with members describing Jennifer’s candid perspectives as particularly helpful and insightful. The session concluded with a brief current events discussion, including member perspectives on recent developments, followed by a preview of upcoming sessions.

Download the Q&A here