In today’s fast-paced media landscape, staying ahead means understanding not just the headlines but the underlying trends that drive them. CARMA seeks to spotlight the dominant narratives shaping key industries.
Across finance, automotive, FMCG, and energy, we analyse news headlines to uncover what’s resonating in the world, from the rise of green finance and the impact of AI in consumer markets, to shifting priorities in sustainability and innovation.
Among all the news we consumed last year across the world, four trends stood out according to our analysts. From AI revolutionising climate strategies to conversations about CEO incomes and gender diversity, 2024 saw finance headlines dominated by transformative themes.
- Net-zero for financial institutions
- Artificial Intelligence and its impact
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the industry
- Salaries of top executives
The commitment by financial institutions and markets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across their portfolios, operations, and investments, emerged as a standout topic.
A pivotal moment came in March when the Bank for International Settlements, a forum for central banks (including the Bank of Spain, Germany’s Bundesbank and the European Central Bank) utilised AI to assess climate-related finance risks.
Volume of Coverage – Net Zero Finance
Their experimental Gaia AI project analysed company disclosures on carbon emissions, green bond issuance and voluntary net-zero commitments.
This application of AI will pave the way forward for financial institutions worldwide to tackle complex sustainability challenges by comparing and utilising information with unprecedented precision.
China took the lead in Net Zero finance coverage, accounting for 32% of global reporting.
Key moments included the Bank of Shanghai’s launch of “Green City Bank”, which positioned green finance as a strategic priority, and the 2024 ESG Global Leaders Conference in Shanghai.
These stories contributed to China’s large share (39%) of positive coverage on the topic.
Countries competed to lead in AI.
The MENA region emerged as a key player in the race to dominate AI-driven finance intensified in 2024, as countries aimed to showcase their technological prowess and innovation.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia led the charge, contributing to 20% of the region’s coverage.
A major highlight was the UAE’s announcement of its ambitious plan to leverage AI to boost GDP by 20% by 2031, which drove a sharp rise in media attention in October.
Across the world, governments reported on their plans to integrate AI into financial frameworks, displaying a commitment to harnessing the transformative potential of AI technology.
Volume of Coverage – AI
Meanwhile, AI’s role as a stock market driver captured global interest.
Media outlets from the United States led the narrative, contributing 43% of all AI-related investment reporting, with an overwhelming 91% of coverage reflecting a positive sentiment.
This highlighted AI’s value in enabling financial growth and a catalyst for innovation.
Country Breakdown – AI
Diversity and gender attracted the highest proportion of negative coverage among financial themes.
Media attention on diversity and gender peaked in March during International Women’s Day, reporting on critical issues like sexism in the City of London and the persistent gender pay gap.
Rachel Reeves’ historic appointment as the UK’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer also made significant headlines. This spurred broader discussions on gender equality in the workplace. However, these positive strides in DEI were counterbalanced by discussions of longstanding systemic inequalities.
Country Breakdown – Diversity and Gender
Volume of Coverage – Diversity and Gender
In January, a Brazilian state bank made headlines with a statement addressing the country’s legacy of slavery, sparking global conversations about financial institutions’ roles in historical injustices.
Similarly, in September, a report by the European Network Against Racism connected present-day workplace discrimination to historical racism, and advocated for anti-racism training across financial organisations.
Addressing these issues with a constructive and forward-looking approach offers an opportunity for financial institutions to shape positive narratives and foster meaningful change.
Sentiment – Diversity and Gender
Executives’ salaries took centre stage amid economic uncertainty.
Salaries became a focal point of financial coverage in 2024, reflecting tensions between executive compensation and economic hardships.
Volume of Coverage – Salary
The United States led the global conversation, with coverage highlighting pay raises for CEOs amid a cost-of-living crisis.
Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman’s compensation package drew attention, alongside lists of the highest-paid CEOs.
In Canada, a scandal involving an employee and a former CFO of the Royal Bank of Canada sparked widespread debate, amplifying negative sentiment around executive pay.
As economic challenges persist, salaries remain a lightning rod for public and media scrutiny.
Country Breakdown – Salary
