Honest Perspectives on ESG and Liberty

Featuring:

[Moderator] Jerry Theodorou, Director of Finance, Insurance and Trade, R Street Institute

Jennifer Schulp, Director of Financial Regulation Studies, Cato Institute

Nick Loris, Vice President of Public Policy, C3 Solutions

Devin Hartman, Director of Energy and Environmental Policy, R Street Institute

Overview

Corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives went from niche to mainstream in recent years, with intense political controversy not far behind. It has proven to be a litmus test for the economic liberty movement. Prominent economic freedom proponents note that anti-ESG legislation demonstrates the perils of meddling in markets, whereas productive policy would protect pensions, empower markets, provide clarity without prescription and avoid politicization. Although regulation motivates much ESG activity under the Biden administration, the pronounced role of market forces and civil society driving corporate sustainability have liberty-enhancing policy implications, such as emphasizing government’s role in environmental transparency over command-and-control regulation. 

Join us for a conversation with leading economic liberty scholars to better understand ESG and its public policy implications.