It’s been a tough year for flotations, or initial public offers (IPOs). But in even the most challenging times they can still happen. Here’s how.

In the US, the backlash against ESG investing continues. A new ‘anti-woke’ fund from Azoria Partners will exclude S&P 500 companies that incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion considerations into their hiring process. Despite this movement, some fund managers have argued that the Trump era may be a surprisingly good time for clean energy stocks.

Last week’s COP29 negotiations finally resulted in a deal for carbon markets; however, questions remain about market integrity. Elsewhere, 11 Republican-led states in the US are suing BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard, claiming they conspired to curtail coal supplies to further their agenda.