Updated on 2024/06/10

Information

 

写真a

 
SCHUMACHER KIM DEEPAK GUY
 
Organization
Kyushu University Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies Department of Research Promotion Associate Professor
Title
Associate Professor
Contact information
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Profile
- Promote interdisciplinary research related to any Q-AOS Clusters or Modules as a principal investigator. - To plan and implement initiatives that lead to the creation of new value in light of recent research trends and findings of each cluster and module. - To collaborate with various internal and external stakeholders to lead activities for solving social issues and apply the results of Q-AOS research and educational activities to our daily lives.
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Degree

  • Ph.D. in Environmental Science

Research History

  • Member of the GRI Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB). Lead author for the IPBES Nexus Report. In addition, he is also a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and sits on the ISO Technical Committees on Sustainable Finance (TC 322) and Environmental Management (TC 207). Furthermore, he belonged to the Technical Working Groups of the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB), the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), and the Green Finance Network Japan (GFNJ).   

    Member of the GRI Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB). Lead author for the IPBES Nexus Report. In addition, he is also a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and sits on the ISO Technical Committees on Sustainable Finance (TC 322) and Environmental Management (TC 207). Furthermore, he belonged to the Technical Working Groups of the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB), the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), and the Green Finance Network Japan (GFNJ).

  • Prof. Dr. Kim Schumacher is originally from Luxembourg and prior to joining Kyushu University in August 2022, he was a Lecturer and Research Fellow in Sustainable Finance and ESG at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. In addition, he is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Oxford. Past work included consulting activities for the Luxembourg Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development and research as a postdoctoral researcher in sustainable finance at the University of Oxford. He also had adjunct lecturer positions at the University of Luxembourg and the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan.   

Research Interests・Research Keywords

  • Research theme： His research focuses on ESG risk and impact metrics, sustainable finance policies, sustainability reporting frameworks, ESG data-related greenwashing and carbonwashing activities, green bonds, natural capital, biodiversity and ecosystem services, biodiversity and carbon offsets, renewable energy project development, and TCFD/TNFD disclosure. These research activities all serve the underlying purpose of determining what are the material risks that companies and countries are exposed to from climate change and how they can through proper integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors foster genuine positive sustainability impacts. This includes the exploration of the double materiality concept, which looks at both the stakeholder-level sustainability-related risks and impacts, which means that companies, financial institutions and governments need to also consider their impact on the environment, biodiversity, climate, and the SDGs when making investment decisions.

    Keyword： Sustainable Finance, ESG Investment, Climate Change, Japan, EU

    Research period： 2022.8 - 2025.3

Papers

  • Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Factors and Green Productivity: The Impacts of Greenwashing and Competence Greenwashing on Sustainable Finance and ESG Investing International journal

    #Kim Schumacher

    2023.4

    　More details

    Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

    The rise of sustainable finance, ESG investment, and sustainability reporting, has gradually led to a growing disconnect among many financial-sector and corporate stakeholders, which can be observed between their positive sustainability performance claims and the organizational resources and capacities dedicated to assuring proper ESG integration and sustainability impact MRV.

    These discrepancies can easily result in greenwashing or carbonwashing, which are the practices of marketing products or services as “green”, “sustainable”, "carbon neutral", "net zero" or "nature positive" when in fact they do not meet basic environmental, climate, or sustainability standards of verifiability or credibility. Competence greenwashing is the professional ESG skills-related equivalent that relates to overstated claims of environmental competence or non-financial sustainability-related expertise in absence of material or credible educational or professional track records.

    However, greenwashing and its subvariants like “carbonwashing” or “competence greenwashing” do not occur in a contextual vacuum but are strongly linked to the increasing appeal of sustainable finance, ESG investing, and the strong green growth they are supporting. Therefore, this paper will first illustrate recent green growth trends in the areas of sustainable finance and ESG investing before exploring how greenwashing and subject matter expertise-related competence greenwashing have been increasing alongside those trends.

    DOI： https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4303609

    Other Link： https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4303609

Presentations

MISC

  • Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Factors and Green Productivity: The Impacts of Greenwashing and Competence Greenwashing on Sustainable Finance and ESG Investing

    #Kim Schumacher

    SSRN Environmental Policy & Governance eJournal   2023.1

    　More details

    Language：English   Publishing type：Article, review, commentary, editorial, etc. (scientific journal)  

    The rise of sustainable finance, ESG investment, and sustainability reporting, has gradually led to a growing disconnect among many financial-sector and corporate stakeholders, which can be observed between their positive sustainability performance claims and the organizational resources and capacities dedicated to assuring proper ESG integration and sustainability impact MRV.

    These discrepancies can easily result in greenwashing or carbonwashing, which are the practices of marketing products or services as “green”, “sustainable”, "carbon neutral", "net zero" or "nature positive" when in fact they do not meet basic environmental, climate, or sustainability standards of verifiability or credibility. Competence greenwashing is the professional ESG skills-related equivalent that relates to overstated claims of environmental competence or non-financial sustainability-related expertise in absence of material or credible educational or professional track records.

    However, greenwashing and its subvariants like “carbonwashing” or “competence greenwashing” do not occur in a contextual vacuum but are strongly linked to the increasing appeal of sustainable finance, ESG investing, and the strong green growth they are supporting. Therefore, this paper will first illustrate recent green growth trends in the areas of sustainable finance and ESG investing before exploring how greenwashing and subject matter expertise-related competence greenwashing have been increasing alongside those trends.

    DOI： https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4303609

    Other Link： https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4303609

  • Ten new insights in climate science 2022 Reviewed

    @Maria A. Martin et al. # Kim Schumacher

    Global Sustainability   2022.11

    　More details

    Language：English   Publishing type：Article, review, commentary, editorial, etc. (scientific journal)  

    Non-technical summary:
    We summarize what we assess as the past year's most important findings within climate change research: limits to adaptation, vulnerability hotspots, new threats coming from the climate–health nexus, climate (im)mobility and security, sustainable practices for land use and finance, losses and damages, inclusive societal climate decisions and ways to overcome structural barriers to accelerate mitigation and limit global warming to below 2°C.

    Technical summary:
    We synthesize 10 topics within climate research where there have been significant advances or emerging scientific consensus since January 2021. The selection of these insights was based on input from an international open call with broad disciplinary scope. Findings concern: (1) new aspects of soft and hard limits to adaptation; (2) the emergence of regional vulnerability hotspots from climate impacts and human vulnerability; (3) new threats on the climate–health horizon – some involving plants and animals; (4) climate (im)mobility and the need for anticipatory action; (5) security and climate; (6) sustainable land management as a prerequisite to land-based solutions; (7) sustainable finance practices in the private sector and the need for political guidance; (8) the urgent planetary imperative for addressing losses and damages; (9) inclusive societal choices for climate-resilient development and (10) how to overcome barriers to accelerate mitigation and limit global warming to below 2°C.

    Social media summary:
    Science has evidence on barriers to mitigation and how to overcome them to avoid limits to adaptation across multiple fields.

    DOI： doi:10.1017/sus.2022.17

    Other Link： https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/global-sustainability/article/ten-new-insights-in-climate-science-2022/62C90D59C9F9890791B64762EAA06B8D

  • Sustainability reporting in Asia: Are the EU’s initiatives the benchmark for ESG disclosure in the region?

    #Kim Schumacher @Yong Jun Baek @Soh Young In @Shigeo Nishikizawa

    SSRN Corporate Finance: Governance, Corporate Control & Organization eJournal   2022.10

    　More details

    Language：English   Publishing type：Internal/External technical report, pre-print, etc.  

    Corporate sustainability reporting is now a strategically important space that impacts corporate valuations, supply chains, and business models. However, a lack of convergence of regulatory frameworks in Europe and Asia is hampering transparency, reporting quality, comparability, and investment and trade objectives. In our latest sustainability report, we aim to provide a better understanding of the EU’s sustainability reporting landscape and how it compares to four key Asian jurisdictions: Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Singapore.

    By comparing ESG reporting frameworks in both the EU and a selection of representative countries in Asia, we hope to provide regulators, business leaders, investors, and other interested stakeholders with a broader understanding of the obstacles and opportunities of the various sustainability reporting approaches.

    DOI： https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4244335

    Other Link： https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4244335&download=yes

Professional Memberships

  • Society for the Environment

  • Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Committee Memberships

  • Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)   Lead Author   Foreign country

    2022.1 - 2025.3   

  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO)   Technical Committee Member   Foreign country

    2019.6 - 2025.3   

Academic Activities

  • Screening of academic papers

    Role(s)： Peer review

    2023

    　More details

    Type：Peer review 

    Number of peer-reviewed articles in foreign language journals：3

  • Screening of academic papers

    Role(s)： Peer review

    2022

    　More details

    Type：Peer review 

    Number of peer-reviewed articles in foreign language journals：5

Research Projects

  • FutureEarth Japan Hub International coauthorship

    2024.1 - 2024.3

    FutureEarth General Secretariat 

    　 More details

    Authorship：Principal investigator 

    Science officer and Finance & Economic Knoweldge Action Network leader, represting Kyushu University, inside of FutureEarth Japan Hub, a global academic research network conducting sustainability science research. Attended January 2024 research retreat at Hokkaido University (see https://japan.futureearth.org/contacts/kim-schumacher/ and https://japan.futureearth.org/)

  • Competence Greenwashing: The impact of ESG skills misrepresentation on corporate sustainability performance

    Grant number：24K16445  2023 - 2026

    Japan Society for the Promotion of Science  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research  Early-Career Scientists

    　 More details

    Authorship：Principal investigator  Grant type：Scientific research funding

  • FutureEarth Global Research Network Fund

    2023

    　 More details

    Grant type：Donation

Visiting, concurrent, or part-time lecturers at other universities, institutions, etc.

  • 2022  Tokyo Insitute of Technology, School of Environment and Society, Graduate major in Global Engineering for Development, Environment and Society  Classification:Part-time lecturer  Domestic/International Classification:Japan 

    Semester, Day Time or Duration：Autum Semester 2022 (Sept. - Dec.), Mon (17:30 - 19:10) and Thr (17:30 -19:10)

Participation in international educational events, etc.

  • 2023.3

    University of Luxembourg University of Hamburg

    Guest lectures on ESG, Sustainable Finance, and Greenwashing in Europe at the Universities of Luxembourg (9 March 2023) and Hamburg (22 March 2023)

    　 More details

    Venue：Belval (Luxembourg) Hamburg (Germany)

    Number of participants：30

Outline of Social Contribution and International Cooperation activities

  • ☆Invited Guest Speaker, “The Greenwashing Equation”, Policy conference held at Centre Bancaire “19 Liberté”, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, 7 Mach 2024 (https://www.ifis.lu/)

    ☆Invited Guest Speaker, “ESG/グリーンウォッシングとコンピテンスグリーンウォッシングの是正に向けた産学連携の重要性”, FDSF (Future Design Initiative by Science and Finance) Global Conference 2023, Tokyo, Japan, 7 July 2023 (https://fdsf.jp/fdsfconf2023)

    ☆Invited Guest Speaker, “Sustainable Development Goals: Learning to Act, Learning to Achieve”, 21st TQA (Thailand Quality Award) Winner Conference: Achieving Performance Excellence for Corporate Sustainability, Bangkok, Thailand, 19 May 2023

    ☆Invited Guest Lecturer, “Brown Bag Lunch Seminar: Fiduciary Duties and ESG litigation risks”, Guest Lecturer at Sustainable Finance and Climate Protection Unit of University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, 22 March 2023

    ☆Invited Guest Lecturer, “Greenwashing and competence risks across global green financial centres”, Guest Lecture at LISER (Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research), Belval, Luxembourg, 9 March 2023 (https://www.liser.lu/?type=module&id=99&tmp=3069)

Social Activities

  • November 2023: Asia Week 2023 Event Organizer – Research Discussion and Q&A on “Sustainable Business and ESG” with Prof. Alex Edmans (London Business School)

    2023

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    November 2023: Asia Week 2023 Event Organizer – Research Discussion and Q&A on “Sustainable Business and ESG” with Prof. Alex Edmans (London Business School)

  • Attendance of the Asia Productivity Organization's (APO) International Conference on Green Economy Growth: Synergizing Green Productivity and the Circular Economy to be held in Bangkok, Thailand to make a presentation on "Postpandemic Trends and Challenges: Updated EU Regulations to Promote Green Productivity and the Circular Economy", thus contributing to the development of sustainability in emerging Asian economies as the main target stakeholders were local civil society representatives and local/regional policymakers from the ASEAN region.

    Asia Productivity Organization's (APO)  Bangkok, Thailand  2022.10

    　More details

    Audience：General,　Scientific,　Company,　Civic organization,　Governmental agency

    Type：Lecture

Media Coverage

  • Expert Interviewee, Podcast “ESG: Science or Fiction: What does a head of sustainability actually do? Is having a sustainability specialist another strategy for greenwashing?”, Organising the Future Podcast by J O Hambro, 12 September 2023 (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-12-esg-science-or-fiction/id1627005728?i=1000627586459)

    Organising the Future Podcast by J O Hambro  2023.9

    　More details

    Expert Interviewee, Podcast “ESG: Science or Fiction: What does a head of sustainability actually do? Is having a sustainability specialist another strategy for greenwashing?”, Organising the Future Podcast by J O Hambro, 12 September 2023 (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-12-esg-science-or-fiction/id1627005728?i=1000627586459)

  • Expert Interviewee, Podcast “Is Asia slower to tackle greenwashing because it is conflict avoidant?”, Eco-Business, 17 May 2023 (https://www.eco-business.com/podcasts/is-asia-slower-to-tackle-greenwashing-because-it-is-conflict-avoidant/) Newspaper, magazine

    Eco-Business  2023.5

    　More details

    Expert Interviewee, Podcast “Is Asia slower to tackle greenwashing because it is conflict avoidant?”, Eco-Business, 17 May 2023 (https://www.eco-business.com/podcasts/is-asia-slower-to-tackle-greenwashing-because-it-is-conflict-avoidant/)

  • Referenced Expert, ESMA (European Securities and Market Authority), Progress Report on Greenwashing, 31 May 2023, (https://www.esma.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2023-06/ESMA30-1668416927-2498_Progress_Report_ESMA_response_to_COM_RfI_on_greenwashing_risks.pdf; p.23)

    ESMA Progress Report on Greenwashing  2023.5

    　More details

    Referenced Expert, ESMA (European Securities and Market Authority), Progress Report on Greenwashing, 31 May 2023, (https://www.esma.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2023-06/ESMA30-1668416927-2498_Progress_Report_ESMA_response_to_COM_RfI_on_greenwashing_risks.pdf; p.23)

  • Explicit mention of researcher and his "competence greenwashing" research in the article "Competence greenwashing: Are questionable ESG credentials putting climate goals at risk? " (URL: https://www.eco-business.com/podcasts/competence-greenwashing-are-questionable-esg-credentials-putting-climate-goals-at-risk/) Newspaper, magazine

    Eco-Business  2023.3

    　More details

    Explicit mention of researcher and his "competence greenwashing" research in the article "Competence greenwashing: Are questionable ESG credentials putting climate goals at risk? " (URL: https://www.eco-business.com/podcasts/competence-greenwashing-are-questionable-esg-credentials-putting-climate-goals-at-risk/)

  • Explicit mention of researcher and his "competence greenwashing" research in the article "How to build a sustainable bank" (URL: https://www.euromoney.com/article/2b9gs8js1vo1m51mehyps/esg/how-to-build-a-sustainable-bank) Newspaper, magazine

    EuroMoney  2023.2

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    Explicit mention of researcher and his "competence greenwashing" research in the article "How to build a sustainable bank" (URL: https://www.euromoney.com/article/2b9gs8js1vo1m51mehyps/esg/how-to-build-a-sustainable-bank)

  • Invited guest to podcast "A Sustainable Future" hosted by Jason Mitchell to discuss what qualifies someone as an ESG expert? "Professor Kim Schumacher at Kyushu University talks to Jason Mitchell about competence greenwashing." (URL: https://www.man.com/maninstitute/ri-podcast-kim-schumacher) TV or radio program

    A Sustainable Future Podcast  2023.2

    　More details

    Invited guest to podcast "A Sustainable Future" hosted by Jason Mitchell to discuss what qualifies someone as an ESG expert? "Professor Kim Schumacher at Kyushu University talks to Jason Mitchell about competence greenwashing." (URL: https://www.man.com/maninstitute/ri-podcast-kim-schumacher)

  • Explicit mention of researcher and his "competence greenwashing" research in the article "Demand for ESG expertise reveals ‘competence greenwashing’ risk" (URL: https://www.sustainableviews.com/demand-for-esg-expertise-reveals-competence-greenwashing-risk/) Newspaper, magazine

    Financial Times - Sustainable Views  2023.1

    　More details

    Explicit mention of researcher and his "competence greenwashing" research in the article "Demand for ESG expertise reveals ‘competence greenwashing’ risk" (URL: https://www.sustainableviews.com/demand-for-esg-expertise-reveals-competence-greenwashing-risk/)

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Travel Abroad

  • 2024.3

    Staying countory name 1：Germany   Staying institution name 1：University of Hamburg

  • 2024.3

    Staying countory name 1：Bangladesh   Staying institution name 1：Unisversity of Dhaka