Head-to-head: ESG integration versus ‘impact investing’
ESG integration and ‘Impact investing’ are often seen as similar, but there are crucial differences that must be well-understood before two approaches can be compared.
Harnessing the power of improvement on the ESG continuum
In an era of volatility and heightened societal that influence the sentiment toward sustainable investing, Grace Su, Portfolio Manager at ClearBridge Investments, offered a refreshing and grounded perspective during her fireside chat at the Investment Leaders Forum INAUS, held in Byron Bay. What emerged from her discussion was a firm belief in the enduring relevance of ESG—not as a marketing label or a fashionable acronym, but as a lens for...
'Pivotal moment' as greenwashing overtakes returns as key ESG concern
Amidst a healthy uptick in investment returns and consumer confidence, the ESG sector is coming to grips with increasing concern about greenwashing, which has now become the major deterrent for investors – up from 45 per cent in 2022 to 52 per cent today.
ASIC (and courts) to funds: Practice the ESG you preach and stop virtue signalling
It doesn't matter whether funds mislead investors with intent or not, and it doesn't matter if other parties were partly to blame. The authorities have had enough of the excuses, and they're lobbing record fines at transgressors.
The energy transition path isn't linear, but engagement is the best compass: Pzena
The mainstream energy transition narrative has evolved in light of recent social, political and economic shifts, Pzena says. as the manager takes a deep dive into the credibility of company transition plans.
Energy transition thematic delivering niche opportunities for investors: Fortitude
"There are a range of different ways to invest in the energy transition thematic," Fortitude explains, adding that the opportunities on the periphery often present the greatest value.
Emissions retreat as energy transition takes effect: Australian Ethical
The move towards renewable sources of energy gathers pace, and while the majority of our power still comes from coal and gas, efforts to put capital behind low-emission companies is paying dividends according to the ethical investor.
Australian Ethical rotates to transition-linked metals as broader resources market weakens
The ethical investor is using the China's sluggish reemergence from the pandemic as an opportunity to rotate into more investments that facilitate a sustainable future, while simultaneously fortifying the return profile of its flagship fund.
Australian Ethical hunts opportunities in private debt, climate tech
The $10 billion ethical investors expects “quite an evolution” in climate resilience and mitigation investing, as well as growing interest in sectors like water, where it is “actively exploring” opportunities.
ESG in action: How investment teams are funding research and leaning on laggards
Getting to net-zero by 2025 will require an enormous shift of capital. This can only happen if groups with leverage apply pressure to financial services entities that are at the coal-face of change.
Can banks... be good? Why ethical investors don't automatically shun the big financials
The banks may not be perfect, but their collective role in facilitating a developed ecosystem, combined with the leverage they have through lending and capital allocation, means they often fall within Australian Ethical's "investible universe".
Surging equity markets highlight importance of valuation discipline: Australian Ethical
An elevated market is a good thing, but investors that take a valuation mindset into asset allocation need to be wary of what that means for prices. "Chasing momentum" is a real danger, says Australian Ethical's Mark Williams.
Difficult conditions suit small caps, active management: Atchison
Australia may not have the Magnificent Seven tech stocks, but a heavy top end on the ASX means concentration risk is just as present, Atchison's says. According to Australian Ethical, that puts the domestic small companies sector right in frame for investors.
Environmental reporting taking precedence over cybersecurity concerns: Perennial
The pressure of meeting a spaghetti-like network of reporting standards has forced company executives to de-prioritise cybersecurity in favour of meeting global greenhouse gas emission targets, according to Perennial.
Australian Ethical zeroes in on energy transition with new infrastructure debt fund
Australian Ethical's partner in the new fund, Infradebt, is an ubiquitous presence in Australia's energy transition movement, having funded 40 renewable projects to date.
Economic and political policy key to mitigating future financial risk: Allspring
Biodiversity is under rising threat around the world, with potentially disastrous economic and social consequences. Investing in programs that manage and protect these assets will be key to mitigating the associated risks.
Global regulators chart ESG path for companies to follow in 2024
In 2023 governments came to a general awareness that to achieve net-zero, robust and consistent ESG policy frameworks must be put in place. In 2024, we should see a continuation of that theme according to New-York based investment group Neuberger Berman.
For performance and impact in ethical investing, conviction is key
Ethical investing is rightly associated with driving change for people and the planet, but because it's about being highly convicted on long-term themes, it also a means to drive better portfolio performance according to Australian Ethical.
Opportunity next: Capturing the great generational wealth transfer
Given the opportunity set in front of advisers during the next transfer of generational wealth, now may be the time to reassess the role of responsible investing and the importance of being an ethical steward for capital.
Funding the energy transition is all about the up-front spend. Then what?
The net-zero transition will bring about an economic transformation, with massive up-front investment leading to near-zero energy costs in the near future, ClearBridge Investments' Nick Langley told industry leaders at The Inside Network's ESG Retreat. But big challenges remain, with no easy answers.
