Sustainalytics strikes research partnership with China’s SynTao

Sustainalytics, the Amsterdam and Toronto-based ESG research firm has added to recent expansion in Asia by moving into China and signing a new research partnership with SynTao, the Beijing-based sustainability consulting firm. The two companies said the partnership would mean Sustainalytics’ clients get access to SynTao’s Chinese company reports while SynTao’s clients can use Sustainalytics’ global environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and analysis. Earlier this year, Sustainalytics acquired the Singapore-based ESG research house Responsible Research and last year signed a strategic partnership with SUSTINVEST of South Korea.SynTao was founded by Wayne Silby founding Chairman of Calvert Funds, the $14 billion US sustainability-focused investment management group, and Guo Peiyuan, a Chinese corporate sustainability specialist. Sustainalytics said the partnership would enable it to build out its current Chinese company research profiles and increase the number of Chinese securities covered. Michael Jantzi, Sustainalytics CEO, said: “Asian investors are demanding global ESG research that reflects an understanding of local issues and themes.” SynTao was the first dedicated consultancy in China researching corporate sustainability and transparency and selling related training services.