ESG Fund Articles

Highlights from the latest sustainability policy milestones that are shaping the investment industry.

Renewable energy presents investors with opportunity and complexity.

While reshoring doesn’t feature among the circular economy’s traditional refrain of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, it does act as a catalyst to promote a host of circular solutions. With a strong focus on IT, AI and industrials as well as domestic suppliers, the circular economy strategy is well positioned to capture the short and long-term growth of reshoring waves.

Mega forces, or structural shifts like the rise of artificial intelligence, are reshaping economies. BlackRock stays risk-on as they look for transformation beneficiaries. Learn more about their big investment calls for 2025.

From potentially brand-damaging ethical risks to regulatory uncertainty, AI poses challenges for investors. But there is a path forward.

On the road to COP28, closing the project preparation gap should take centre stage.

It is not possible to recycle most fabrics with current methods, meaning millions of tons of fast fashion clothes that are thrown away each year end up in landfill.

More than ever before, Asia Pacific producers are key players in the global clean energy revolution. But with geopolitical tensions rising and the threat of disruption looming ever larger, Gam Investments’ Meera Patel explores factors behind the risks and opportunities for investors in a region harnessing the might of the green economy to bolster its long-term economic prospects.

Rich economies are benefiting from higher growth with modest inflation thanks to a surge in immigration. That could boost companies’ earnings potential – and investment returns.

The latest thought leadership piece from Morningstar Sustainalytics delves into the materiality of ESG factors, analyzing their influence on business viability and investment strategies. 

We share some of the highlights from the past year that led to significant improvements in environmental protection, corporate governance, and transparency.

Investors are now becoming more knowledgeable, cautious and less naive in their approach to tackling climate change. That’s the main message from the Robeco Global Climate Investing Survey 2024, which shows greater realism on the long road to a low-carbon world.

Mega forces are big, structural changes that affect investing now - and far in the future. This creates major opportunities - and risks - for investors. This article outlines the five mega forces.

“The 3D Reset” refers to the three “Ds” of decarbonisation, demographics and deglobalisation. We believe these ongoing trends have had and will continue to have massive long-term implications for the global economy.

This article explains the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) in a technical and detailed format.

CIO Sean Taylor discusses his investment outlook for the year ahead and how he sees 2024 unfolding for emerging markets, regionally, economically and thematically.

The key trends to look out for in science, technology and sustainability over the next 12 months – and beyond.

Half a century of academic research finds that in most cases, companies that apply ESG principles tend to be higher quality and financially superior. Curiously, results are less robust for investment portfolios. We look at possible resolutions to this conundrum and also explain why our convictions on ESG and investments are as strong as ever.

Our research paper shows why a ‘just transition’ matters, highlighting actions that companies, governments and investors need to take to make it happen.

Greening the construction industry has become a priority but it's not clear whether the transition represents an investment opportunity. This year's The Klosters Forum sought to resolve this conundrum.

Human ingenuity and responsible investment are crucial to addressing climate change and resource depletion. Concern about our use of the world’s finite resources is by no means new.

Better late than never, the world is waking up to the urgent threat to biodiversity and natural capital. Investors have a crucial role to play in the fight to maintain vital ecosystems - and a huge opportunity to seize.

Investing in companies that support the transition towards net zero brings its own trade-offs. We asked portfolio managers Chris Berkouwer and Yanxin Liu how they are making the strategy work.

We have seen the notion of shareholder primacy take the lead across the globe and become the base argument for governance of the corporate world.

As of today, we have used up the planet’s natural capital budget for the year. What does this mean for investors?

abrdn's Chief Sustainability Officer describes four big sustainability trends that will shape the way people invest for decades to come.

Society is calling for protection against the threats posed by AI. Incorporating AI considerations into investors’ ESG analysis of companies will help.

For a number of reasons, we are moving to a world where natural resources previously taken for granted are becoming scarcer.

Finding alpha in sustainability. Asset owners and their stakeholders increasingly expect to achieve their financial goals while ensuring positive non-financial results for future generations as well. The key question is whether it’s possible to do both.

Reducing food waste has typically been described as a “triple win” – for the economy, for food security, and for the environment. But with respect to the wide-ranging implications of food waste for companies, we should consider adding a fourth “win” as investors can draw financial benefits as well.

Investors can achieve the greatest positive impact with their capital by focusing on four key themes.

As companies attempt their transition to a net-zero world, we sat down with Ben McEwen, Climate Analyst at Sarasin & Partners, to understand more about what the high-carbon transition means for investors and how we assess the credibility of companies’ climate claims.

Morningstar’s Guide to Sustainable Investing sheds light on the different approaches professional investors and managers can use to make more-informed decisions that align with investors’ sustainability motivations and objectives.

What the Global Biodiversity Framework means for companies, investors, and nature outcomes.

The landmark UN deal on tackling biodiversity loss aims to place businesses and investors in the front line in the battle to protect nature.

Sustainable investing has been challenged on many fronts over the last 12 months and we expect conditions to remain volatile in 2023.

The plunge in growth stocks since the equity market highs of 2021 has been remarkable, providing an attractive entry point into a number of long-term structural growth themes and recession-resistant businesses.

The events affecting the food system from 2020-22 have been remarkable, and may become more widespread. Tackling this brings investment opportunities.

Investment creates opportunity – the opportunity to change things for the better. To not only create a better future for you and your family, but also for the communities around us, the environment we live in and the industries that shape our society.

Strategists at J.P. Morgan Asset Management shared their views on why investors are paying more attention to ESG factors and how ESG factors can be incorporated into investment decision making.

Gam Investments’ Mark Hawtin considers the future of food and explains why it looks set to be one of the most exciting prospects for the next 10-15 years.

Mining is a good example of the complexities involved in decarbonisation. As some miners opt to sell coal assets, BHP is instead winding down one of its Australian mines. Discover why we are applauding this decision.

Waste management has long been one of society’s primary challenges. It’s an industry that’s ripe for disruption given how little it’s changed over the last few centuries.

As the economic glass starts to clear we explore the host of opportunities for long-term thematic investors in our latest House Report.

Investors in China can positively influence the behaviour of Chinese companies and generate attractive risk-adjusted returns in the long run.

Sustainable investing continues to gain momentum and the case for considering ESG factors remains as strong as ever. From consumers to policymakers, many economic actors are backing sustainability—creating a powerful portfolio opportunity.

This growing environmental problem is increasingly a focal point for policy at national and international level.

Robert Gilhooly and Edward Glossop think demography is only one factor that will determine long-term interest rates in emerging markets. In this article they look more closely at the dynamics equilibrium and interest rates.

Whether it is refillable toothpaste tubes or recycled plastic bottles, big global businesses like Colgate, Nestle and Unilever are starting to create the products and solutions the world will need for a future without plastic waste. The problem is no one is quite managing to go fast enough.

In just a few years, ESG investing has grown in prominence. How can investors capitalize on this trend? What is ESG? The use of environmental, social and governance factors to inform investment decisions.

What does active ownership really mean in practice? Experts from Schroders' sustainable investment team explain.

Portfolio managers Velislava Dimitrova and Cornelia Furse take a look at the companies offering solutions to monetise unwanted items and extend the lives of products, outlining the environmental benefits and investment opportunities this is creating.

While some progress was made at COP26, it is clear that there is a large credibility gap between words and actions.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on savings and investments. To find out the extent of the impact on women’s finances in particular, J.P. Morgan Asset Management asked 4,000 women across 10 European countries to tell us about their current savings situation.

Real momentum is building in the environmental, social and governance space. Policymakers are raising the bar; corporates are responding to consumer trends; and the financial services industry is finding its voice. As progress accelerates, 2022 will be the year in which ESG aspirations meet implementation.

Covid-19 hasn’t eclipsed issues of equality at work, it’s underscored their importance. Equality for women requires thinking about equality at home and along supply chains

Single materiality considers the impact of climate change on the company; double materiality considers the impact of the company on climate change. Head of investment strategy Henry Boucher unravels the conflicts in ‘double materiality’ and where to draw the ‘moral’ line.

The power of active engagement: Fidelity International believes Companies should be held to account on supply chain management - alongside other environmental, social and governance issues.

Investment Marketing Analyst, Jon Lockyer, looks to dispel the perception that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing is a passing trend.

BMO-Discover the ESG implications of investing in the emerging market dairy industry.

Fidelity International’s ESG Analyst Survey 2021 reveals that, while many companies report their ESG activities accurately, significant numbers continue to overpromote their ESG performance. To get a true picture of each company’s sustainability credentials, corporates and investors must adopt a consistent global ESG standard.

Discover how human activity threatens the ocean and how investors can drive sustainable solutions.

The Covid pandemic has brought renewed focus on the social aspects of ESG investing. How can asset managers incorporate human rights into their approach? And what value does this add?

While technology is key to driving economic growth, there are a number of ESG factors that responsible investors should be aware of. Sarasin’s analysts Josh Sambrook-Smith and Kwai San Wong take us through these issues.