Press Release

The ESG Fact Sheets outline key topics under the three pillars along with the related policies, processes, controls and associated metrics that could be relevant to an investment decision. These best practice guides are intended to be used as a standard set of industry disclosures to bring greater consistency to this area. They have been compiled with input from credit analysts, portfolio managers and ESG specialists following industry-wide engagement on ESG topics.

Following the publication of the draft General ESG Fact Sheet in June 2020 and after engagement with both investors and the wider leveraged finance community during ESG workshops, it was clear that a sector-level approach was needed to support the diverse European leveraged finance market.

The latest ESG Fact Sheets outline the most important areas of ESG disclosure for each sector, including:
• Chemicals: climate change policy, disclosure on occupational health and safety metrics
• Industrials: details on relationships with local communities, monitoring of product safety including information on
product recalls
• Retail: policies and processes in place to monitor labour standards across the supply chain, and any circular
economy / recycling initiatives
• Software: privacy and data security including processes for dealing with cyber threats
• Communication infrastructure: equipment safety and maintenance of sites, and financial policy in relation to
acquisitions and leverage

The first three sector specific ESG Fact Sheets were published in January 2021 and focused on debt collectors, paper and packaging, and telecoms companies.

The ELFA and the PRI believe the ESG Fact Sheets can help align market expectations and streamline the disclosure process. They are intended to serve as a starting point for ESG discussions between issuers, the buy-side, the sellside and third-party service providers, but are not intended to be the definitive industry ESG disclosure standard nor replace customized investor ESG due diligence.

Sabrina Fox, Chief Executive Officer, European Leveraged Finance Association, commented: “Following the successful launch of the first three ESG Fact Sheets and the accompanying guide for company advisers to deploying them in leveraged finance transactions, we quickly got to work on producing guidance for new sectors which we are delighted to be publishing today. With the deadline for compliance to the Level 1 Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation now behind us, and the Level 2 requirements coming up fast, supporting companies and their advisers in making ESG disclosure in line with these new rules remains a top priority for us, as this stands to benefit our members and the wider market.”

Carmen Nuzzo, Head of Fixed Income at the PRI, commented: “The ESG Fact Sheets are not only about data disclosure. They are also a tool to facilitate a dialogue between credit analysts and borrowers. Investors are calling from more data, but there is very little exchange of information and engagement, which the ESG Fact Sheets provide a base for.”