Recent backlash against ESG has created uncertainty in the business community. In this webinar, InfluenceMap, joined by Potential Energy Coalition, will share insights on the current ESG landscape and offer tools to navigate it:
Fact-Checking the Anti-ESG Movement: While the anti-ESG political movement has been propagated by elected officials, media, and think tanks, its origins are not grassroots. The fossil fuel industry was instrumental in the early days of anti-ESG, writing and distributing the first state-level bills and working to convince lawmakers of the importance of combating “discrimination against energy companies” by investors and financial institutions (see InfluenceMap's 2023 briefing, Anti-ESG and the Fossil Fuel Sector). The movement has since spread to US Congressional policy priorities (see InfluenceMap’s 2023 briefing, US House Anti-ESG Month and Industry Influence).
InfluenceMap’s Senior Analyst Cleo Rank will explore the origins of the anti-ESG movement, debunking many of its claims and outlining its impact on financial behavior and corporate ambitions.
Effective Corporate Narratives: Attendees will then hear from Potential Energy Coalition, who will share new research on climate risk as a business risk and the messages that businesses can use to communicate about responsible business practices without inciting backlash.
This webinar will be of benefit to corporations, financial institutions, NGOs, and policymakers who wish to understand the anti-ESG movement and who may be dealing with barriers the movement presents.
Attendees will understand the origins and trajectory of anti-ESG and gain tools to respond. The webinar will conclude with a Q&A in which attendees will have the opportunity to ask speakers questions.
InfluenceMap
Cleo RankSenior Analyst and Investor Engagement Lead
Cleo joined InfluenceMap in May 2021 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she studied Political Science and International Political Economics; engaging in research on trade and immigration policy. At InfluenceMap, Cleo works as a senior analyst evaluating financial services industry associations’ engagement on sustainable finance, looking into their efforts to influence policy in the United States at the federal and state levels.
Potential Energy Coalition
Jesse FergusonAdvisor
Jesse Ferguson is a seasoned operative, strategist, and political marketing adviser with a track record of managing over $400 million worth of causes, candidates, and campaigns. Over the years, he has honed his expertise in integrating messaging, advertising, and public relations for issues advocacy, public relations and politics.
His most recent notable work includes offering strategic management and guidance to climate advocacy groups like LCV, including the landmark 66-week campaign that resulted in the passage of the largest clean energy investment in world history, and co-founding Navigator Research, a pivotal progressive messaging research project.
Prior to these roles, he held the position of Deputy National Press Secretary and Senior Spokesman for Hillary Clinton's campaign for President. From 2010 to 2014, Jesse held senior roles at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, including Deputy Executive Director and Director of the DCCC's Independent Expenditure.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in government and economics with highest honors from the College of William and Mary. He also holds a certificate in political leadership from the University of Virginia Sorensen Institute and is an Advisory Board member of the William and Mary Washington DC Center. Jesse has written about politics, messaging, and strategy for media outlets such as USA Today, TIME, CNN.com, Politico, Fortune, etc.
Bully Pulpit International
Adam HodgeManaging Director
Adam Hodge, a Managing Director at Bully Pulpit International, is a veteran communications strategist with experience advising senior government officials, c-suite executives, political leaders, and advocacy organizations in high profile arenas across a range of sectors.
Most recently, Adam was the Spokesperson for the National Security Council in the White House, leading the Biden-Harris Administration’s foreign policy communications operation through several global crises and international engagements. Adam also served as the Assistant United States Trade Representative for Public Affairs, where he provided strategic counsel on policy, public engagement, and internal issues while leading the agency’s communications operation.
Before returning to public service, Adam was the Senior Vice President for External Affairs at Ariel Investments. Prior to joining Ariel, Adam worked for SKDKnickerbocker and was the Communications Director at the Democratic National Committee, having previously held the role of Regional Press Secretary during President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign.
Originally from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Adam is a graduate of Wesleyan University with a B.A. in government, concentrating on International Relations. He serves on the Board of the French-American Foundation and lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and two children.