The goal of investing is more than just financial growth
The value of an investment is no longer just about returns. An increasing number of investors are also calling for their money to make a positive impact on society and the world at large. ESG Investing aims to achieve both a positive impact on society and favorable investment results. That is where responsible “ESG” investing comes into play. ESG stands for Environmental, Social & Governance.
These 3 key factors are used to measure the impact a company has on;
Environment: These criteria examines how a business performs as a steward of our natural environment.
- Waste and pollution, deforestation, climate change, resource depletion.
Social Impact: Assesses how a company treats their people:
- Employee relations & diversity, safe working conditions, health & safety
Governance, looks at how a company is run and their corporate policies on:
- Tax Strategy, donations & political lobbying, corruption and bribery, board diversity and structure
The key focus is to identify companies that provide strong financial returns while showing a commitment to sustainable business practices. Our first responsibility to our clients is to seek strong portfolio returns. With responsible investing you get the added bonus of maintaining profitability as your number one goal while also aligning your investments with your social values.
Utilizing an ESG investment strategy may result in investment returns that may be lower or higher than if decisions were based solely on investment considerations.
Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of the strategy selected. Sustainable/Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) considers qualitative environmental, social and corporate governance, also known as ESG criteria, which may be subjective in nature. There are additional risks associated with Sustainable/Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), including limited diversification and the potential for increased volatility. There is no guarantee that SRI products or strategies will produce returns similar to traditional investments. Because SRI criteria exclude certain securities/products for non-financial reasons, investors may forego some market opportunities available to those who do not use these criteria. Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision.
There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss.
