What Good Looks Like: The Growing Role of Benchmarks in Private Markets

What Good Looks Like: The Growing Role of Benchmarks in Private Markets

What makes sustainability data truly useful? Context. In this episode of Sustainable Intelligence, Josh Green sits down with Caitlin Pentifallo, Novata's Head of Product for AI Data Products, to discuss Novata's largest benchmark release to date, featuring more than 49,000 benchmarks and 1.24 million underlying data points. Together, they explore why benchmarks have become essential for private markets investors, how Novata balances data quality with scale, and what this year's data reveals about the continued maturation of sustainability reporting. Caitlin also shares how AI and automation are transforming benchmark generation, why "best fit" benchmarks help investors make more informed decisions, and what the future holds as sustainability data becomes increasingly standardized.

ESG in 2026: What the Data Says About Investor Priorities

What does the data tell us about where ESG reporting is heading? In this episode of Sustainable Intelligence, Aaron Zweig, Senior Metrics and Regulations Associate at Novata, joins the podcast to share key findings from the 2026 ESG Metrics Guide, which he helped produce. He unpacks how investor expectations are shifting across DEI and workforce metrics, environmental reporting beyond carbon, and the emerging focus on AI governance. Listen as Aaron reflects on what it means for the field to move from data collection to action, and shares practical advice for ESG practitioners navigating a complex and more demanding landscape.

AI, ESG, and the Search for Common Ground

In this episode of the Sustainable Intelligence podcast, Dr. Robert Eccles joins us to explore the shifting sustainability landscape in the private markets. Drawing on decades of experience at the forefront of the field, Bob reflects candidly on what the sustainability community has gotten wrong in its approach to climate change, and what it will take to get it right. He also unpacks how to connect sustainability efforts to real financial impact, why human and AI collaboration holds promise for the ESG data landscape, and what keeps him optimistic about the road ahead.

The EU Taxonomy, Decoded

In this episode of Sustainable Intelligence, Laura Callaghan, Head of EMEA Advisory at Novata, joins us to dive into the EU Taxonomy and what it means for businesses right now. Laura shares what the Taxonomy was designed to do, who it applies to, and why it’s hard to tackle without the right tools and expertise.  Listen to hear how companies can move beyond box-checking to find real business value in doing this work well and what’s ahead for ESG and sustainability reporting.

Is ESG Just Good Business?

In this episode of Sustainable Intelligence, Evan Greenfield, Managing Director and Head of ESG at BCI Private Equity, joins to discuss his latest whitepaper, ESG Value Creation in Private Equity: From Rhetoric to Returns [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6000614], developed in collaboration with Stanford University’s Long-Term Investing Initiative. British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is one of Canada’s largest institutional investors, managing a ~C$300 billion portfolio on behalf of 32 public sector and institutional clients.  Drawing on real-world case studies, Evan explains how financially material ESG initiatives can drive EBITDA improvements, reduce operational risk, and strengthen exit readiness. He also shares a practical framework for embedding sustainability across the investment lifecycle, from diligence to exit.