When undertaking an ESG assessment of a private equity deal ESG screening and due diligence will most likely take place during:

When undertaking an ESG assessment of a private equity deal ESG screening and due diligence will most likely take place during:
A . exit
B . ownership
C . deal sourcing

Answer: C

Explanation:

When undertaking an ESG assessment of a private equity deal, ESG screening and due diligence are most likely to take place during the deal sourcing phase.

Here’s why:

Initial Evaluation: ESG screening at the deal sourcing stage allows investors to evaluate potential investments against their ESG criteria before committing significant resources. This helps in identifying any red flags or areas of concern early in the process.

Risk Management: Conducting ESG due diligence early helps in managing risks associated with environmental, social, and governance issues. By understanding these risks upfront, investors can make more informed decisions and potentially avoid costly issues later.

Integration into Investment Strategy: ESG considerations integrated during deal sourcing ensure that these factors are part of the overall investment strategy and decision-making process. This alignment is crucial for achieving long-term sustainable returns.

Regulatory Compliance and Reputation: Early ESG assessments help in ensuring compliance with

relevant regulations and standards, and in protecting the investor’s reputation by avoiding investments in companies with poor ESG practices.

Reference: MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology (2022) – Highlights the importance of early ESG assessments in identifying risks and opportunities, ensuring that ESG factors are integrated into the investment process from the beginning.

ESG-Ratings-Methodology-Exec-Summary (2022) – Discusses the role of ESG screening in the initial stages of investment to manage risks and enhance long-term value creation.