Investing for Tomorrow: Understanding Sustainable Investing.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards sustainable investing, driven by both environmental concerns and the recognition of long-term financial viability. Investors are increasingly looking beyond traditional financial metrics to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions. This article aims to provide an overview of sustainable investing, its principles, strategies, and its potential benefits for both investors and the planet.

What is Sustainable Investing?

Sustainable investing, also known as socially responsible investing (SRI), ethical investing, or impact investing, is an approach to investment that seeks to generate long-term financial returns while also contributing to positive social or environmental outcomes. This approach recognizes that companies that operate sustainably and responsibly may be better positioned to weather risks and capitalize on opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

Principles of Sustainable Investing

1. Environmental Considerations: Sustainable investing involves evaluating the environmental impact of companies and industries. According to a report by the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (GSIA), environmental criteria are the most commonly considered factors in sustainable investing, with $17.5 trillion of assets globally being managed under this strategy.

2. Social Responsibility: Social factors are also important considerations in sustainable investing. A study by Harvard Business School found that companies with strong social performance outperformed their peers over the long term. This may include evaluating a company's labour practices, diversity and inclusion policies, community engagement efforts, and impact on local communities.

3. Governance Standards: Governance refers to the way in which companies are managed and controlled. Sustainable investors look for companies with strong governance structures, transparent reporting practices, and a commitment to ethical behaviour. According to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), companies with good governance tend to have lower costs of capital and higher valuations.

Strategies for Sustainable Investing

1. Negative Screening: Negative screening involves excluding companies or industries that do not meet certain ESG criteria from the investment portfolio. The most common exclusionary criterion is related to tobacco, followed by controversial weapons and companies involved in coal mining or coal-fired power generation, according to the GSIA.

2. Positive Screening: Positive screening involves actively selecting companies that demonstrate strong ESG performance or are engaged in activities that contribute to positive social or environmental outcomes. Sustainable investing in renewable energy has seen significant growth, with investments reaching $282.2 billion globally in 2020, according to BloombergNEF.

3. Integration of ESG Factors: Some investors integrate ESG factors into traditional financial analysis to identify risks and opportunities that may not be captured by financial metrics alone. A study by MSCI found that companies with high ESG ratings tend to have lower cost of debt and lower earnings volatility.

4. Impact Investing: Impact investing involves making investments with the intention of generating measurable social or environmental impact alongside financial returns. The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) estimates the size of the global impact investing market to be around $1.164 trillion.

Benefits of Sustainable Investing

1. Financial Performance: Studies have shown that sustainable investing can deliver competitive financial returns over the long term. According to a meta-analysis by Oxford University, 88% of reviewed studies found that companies with strong ESG profiles demonstrated better operational performance and were less risky investments.

2. Alignment with Values: Sustainable investing allows investors to align their investment decisions with their values and beliefs. According to a survey by Morgan Stanley, 85% of individual investors are interested in sustainable investing, with millennials being particularly interested.

3. Risk Management: By considering ESG factors, investors can identify and mitigate potential risks that may not be captured by traditional financial analysis. A report by McKinsey found that companies with strong ESG credentials were more resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Positive Impact: Perhaps most importantly, sustainable investing has the potential to drive positive social and environmental change. Impact investments in affordable housing have been shown to improve housing affordability and reduce homelessness, according to research by the Urban Institute.

Sustainable investing represents a powerful approach to investment that seeks to generate long-term financial returns while also making a positive impact on society and the environment. By considering environmental, social, and governance factors alongside traditional financial metrics, investors can align their investment decisions with their values and contribute to a more sustainable future for all. As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, sustainable investing has the potential to drive positive change and create value for investors and society as a whole.