SNS/SHoF Finance panel: What sustainability issues does the war in Ukraine raise for investors?

The sanctions imposed in connection with the invasion of Ukraine has caused many Western investors to leave Russia. It has also raised questions about the consequences for other markets.

Welcome to a discussion with Bo Becker, Professor of Finance, Johanna Fager Wettergren, Head of Sustainable Finance at the Sweden’s Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen), and Kristin Magnusson Bernard, CEO at Första AP-fondens (AP1).

The war in Ukraine has raised attention to several sustainability issues that financial investors need to address. Some issues being discussed include how to approach companies in dictatorship countries as well as future investments in the defense industry. Another question is how Europe can put an end to its dependence on Russian oil and gas without risking economic and social stability.

Many also believe that the invasion has revealed shortcomings of asset managers and research firms regarding their risk assessment related to the political environment in which these companies operate.

 

Participants

Bo Becker, Professor of Finance, Stockholm School of Economics and Swedish House of Finance.

Johanna Fager Wettergren, Head of Sustainable Finance, Finansinspektionen,

Kristin Magnusson Bernard, CEO, Första AP-fonden.

 

The seminar was held in Swedish and chaired by Pehr Wissén, Professor Emeritus of Practice, Swedish House of Finance.