Description: BlackRock, the largest manager of financial assets in the world, is making an about face on climate change. In a letter to CEOs, BlackRock signaled that the economy is “on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance” due to the threat of climate change. BlackRock is looking at dispensing with coal-related investments and says it will work with the companies it invests in to ensure better environmental disclosures.

Date:  January 14, 2020

Source:  cbc.ca

Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/blackrock-investment-climate-change-1.5426465

Discussion points:

1) Have you ever heard of BlackRock? If so, what do you know about the firm?

2) How do you think BlackRock’s change in strategy will influence behaviours in the marketplace?

3) In Chapter 1 of Wiley’s Auditing: A Practical Approach, you can learn about several different types of auditing. Which types of auditing could be employed to assist in efforts to disclose a company’s risk around climate change?