What ESG means to KKR

In this episode, the speakers discuss why KKR views ESG as a business opportunity that both creates and protects value over time.

Related topics Private equity

ESG has skyrocketed to the top of many PE firms’ list of strategic priorities in the past couple of years. PE firms that may have historically viewed ESG as a “nice to have” or a “check the box” exercise, are now increasingly considering ESG to be a business issue that is embedded in the business, not peripheral to it.

PE firms such as KKR that were early adopters of and believers in ESG are now in a position not only to lead the charge to net zero, but to share their learnings with other firms that may be earlier on their ESG journey. At KKR, ESG is viewed as a way to both protect and enhance value over time and is managed alongside other business issues.

KKR is focused on climate change, data and integrating ESG issues and subject matter expertise into the investment process. The firm views ESG data not as a way to score potential targets, but to identify a pathway to managing ESG-related risk sover the duration of the hold period. Lastly, KKR has identified three measurable ESG pillars across the portfolio regardless of industry: climate, human capital and data responsibility (cybersecurity and data privacy).

Key takeaways:

PE has an interesting role to play in the transition to net zero, and firms are likely to focus on 6 key areas:

  • Creating and protecting value through ESG
  • Building and deploying teams of resources and expertise
  • Integrating climate and ESG cosiderations into investment processes
  • Launching standalone ESG or impact funds
  • Spotlighting portfolio companies that are addressing critical environmental and social challenges
  • Collaborating and knowledge sharing to share solutions and best practices

For your convenience, full text transcript of this podcast is also available. Read the transcript.

Presenters

Photographic portrait of Elizabeth Seeger
Elizabeth Seeger
Managing Director, Sustainable Investing, KKR

Podcast

Episode 50

Duration 24m 00s

In this series

Series overview
(Event List - Manual)

What ESG means to KKR

In this episode, the speakers discuss why KKR views ESG as a business opportunity that both creates and protects value over time.
Podcast

Episode 50

Duration
24m 00s

Presenters

Elizabeth Seeger

Managing Director, Sustainable Investing, KKR

What’s in store for SPACs

In this episode, the speakers explore why SPACs remain highly relevant despite market volatility and regulatory headwinds.
Podcast

Episode 49

Duration
30m 00s

Presenters

Karim Anani

EY Americas Financial Accounting Advisory Services Transactions Leader; SPAC Co-Leader

How today’s economic rebalancing is impacting PE

In this episode, the speakers discuss how macroeconomic factors such as inflation, monetary policy, and the labor shortage will impact PE investment decisions and theses.
Podcast

Episode 48

Duration
23m 00s

Presenters

Gregory Daco

EY-Parthenon Chief Economist, Strategy and Transactions, Ernst & Young LLP

PE Pulse: Five takeaways from 1Q 2022

In this episode, Pete Witte, EY Global Private Equity Lead Analyst, explores the key themes and market dynamics from 1Q 2022 that are top of mind for PE investors.
Podcast

Episode 47

Duration
10m 00s

Presenters

What PE is outsourcing to create value

In this episode, the speakers discuss what tasks PE is outsourcing across business functions such as finance, IT, HR and customer service to create value.
Podcast

Episode 46

Duration
20m 33s

Presenters

How PE can use the ‘See, Solve, Scale’ process to screen investments

In this episode, our speakers explore how Professor Danny Warshay’s “See, Solve, Scale” entrepreneurial process can help PE investors screen potential investments.
Podcast

Episode 45

Duration
23m 00s

Presenters

Danny Warshay

Executive Director of the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship at Brown University

Why mentoring matters for women in PE

In this episode, our speakers reveal how mentorship programs can help women build long-term careers in PE.
Podcast

Episode 44

Duration
26m 00s

Presenters

Pam Jackson

CEO of Level20

How PE firms can win tech deals

In this episode, our speakers explore how PE firms can position themselves to win tech deals in today’s highly competitive market.
Podcast

Episode 43

Duration
25m 00s

Presenters

Jeff Vogel

EY-Parthenon Principal, Strategy and Transactions, Ernst & Young LLP; EY Global Head of Software Strategy Group

Laura Grattan

Managing Director, Crosspoint Capital