Five sustainable investing myths
Interested in sustainable investing but unsure where to start? We debunk five common myths so you can better understand your options and impact.
Find out how you can make an impact through sustainable investing with Schroders.
Given the dramatic rise in popularity of sustainable investing, it’s perhaps no surprise that a few misconceptions have come along for the ride.
Sustainable investing – which considers environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors – has become increasingly important.
We’re here to bust some myths about sustainable investing so you can better understand your options and their impact.
Myth 1: Sustainable investing is only about protecting the environment
Yes, the “E” of “ESG” is indeed “environment”, but sustainable investing is about more than just protecting physical aspects of the planet.
It is about encouraging companies to properly consider the impact of environmental issues. But this could mean analysing how consumers becoming aware of their carbon footprint will impact long-term business strategies for airlines, for example.
The “S” and “G”, (“social” and “governance”), are also fundamental to sustainable investing.
Social factors could be considerations such as demographics, data security, nutrition and obesity or how well a company looks after its employees, for instance.
Governance factors relate to the internal policies and processes companies have designed to ensure management acts in the best interests of its shareholders.
This can relate to the independence of a company’s board, chief executive pay, and how transparent a firm is in what it is publicly disclosing
Myth 2: Sustainable investing is simply NOT investing in something (or “screening” investments)
Yes, there are investment products that make a point of ONLY or NOT investing in certain types of companies or industries.
This strategy is called “screening” and these investments are mostly referred to as “ethical” or “socially responsible investments” (“SRI”). What is considered ethical or socially responsible is determined by an investor or group of investors’ own principles or beliefs, for example religious beliefs.
Sustainable investing, on the other hand, is a broad investment approach that is considered at all stages of the investment process.
From choosing what to invest in and adjusting forecasts to monitoring and engaging with investee companies, it can take many forms including “thematic investing”, “impact investing”, “active ownership” and more.
Thematic investing involves investing in companies that can be grouped under a particular investment theme such as renewable energy, waste and water management, education or healthcare innovation.
However a big part of sustainable investing is engaging with companies, not just divesting.
As owners of their shares, investors have the right to engage with management and to seek additional understanding in order to protect and enhance the value of investments.
Impact investing aims to achieve specific, positive social benefits while also delivering a financial return. Impact investments create a direct link between portfolio investment and socially beneficial activities.
Historically most of the activity has occurred in unlisted assets (i.e. investments that are not traded on the stock exchange).
Myth 3: Sustainable investing is all about an investor’s values, not good performance
Sustainability analysis, when integrated with more traditional methods of measuring a company’s prospects, can potentially improve judgment and enhance performance.
It has been suggested firms that consider ESG issues can increase returns and/or reduce risks compared to those that don’t. Research from the Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment and more recently Morningstar Financial Research, a fund research company, supports this.
This makes sense because ensuring companies, industries or markets are operating within their means and maintaining stability over the long term will play a huge role in their long-term performance.
It might mean excluding certain companies or industries on the basis that they face deep-seated problems that make them poor long-term investments.
Considering sustainability factors should allow investors to better assess the long-term potential of investments and identify the performers that’ll help them meet their financial goals.
Of course, they still have to consider that the value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up. They may not get back the amounts originally invested.
If you are unsure as to the suitability of any investment speak to a financial adviser.
Myth 4: Sustainable investing is just for millennials
Interest in sustainable investing spans age groups.
Millennials are often cited to be the most engaged age group with issues regarding sustainability. However the Schroders Global Investor Study 2019, a survey of more than 25,000 investors has found that 61% of Generation X investors always consider sustainability factors when selecting an investment product, compared to 59% of millennials.
But across all age groups, most people (60%) believe their individual investment choices can make a difference to building a more sustainable world.
Myth 5: Sustainable investing is only applicable to equities (i.e. stocks or shares)
We tend to think mostly about equities, but it doesn’t end there. With bonds, for instance, ESG analysis helps identify risks to a borrower’s ability and willingness to repay debts that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Put simply, a well-managed company should be less likely to stumble into value-destroying disasters, meaning their returns are more stable and they are better positioned to repay investors.
With private equity – i.e. companies that are not publicly-traded - capital is locked up for years. Considering ESG factors here is crucial as investors want to be confident that companies are managing future or long-term risks that may not have materialised yet.
Being able to measure the long-term sustainability of a company provides a more robust understanding that can lead to higher performance.
Private companies also face less regulatory oversight, so analysis of their corporate governance can provide important insights to private equity investors.
Find out more about Schroders and what sustainability means to us.
View the original article on MoneyLens. MoneyLens is a website aimed at helping millennials manage their money.
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