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Patrick Thomas, Investment Direct and Head of ESG,
Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management
Make a
choice as to the particular letter of E,S, and G that you care about
and use that as a framework for picking your investments. Because,
despite what data providers or overzealous fund
managers might tell you, there is no investment out there that is
environmentally very important, has amazing corporate governance, and a
positive societal impact.
Kate Capocci, Investment Manager and Lead ESG
Specialist, Smith & Williamson
Look beyond the labels. Many fund will label themselves as
sustainable, ESG or responsible but will have varying approaches when
it comes to achieving this. Whether this be through exclusions,
targeting specific themes, or buying best-in-class. All of these
approaches are valid, but may not achieve the specific sustainable
objective that you had in mind. For example, some responsible
funds will invest in fossil fuels, but wouldn't be appropriate to you
if you intend to exclude this sector.
Cléo Fitzsimons, Sustainable Investment Lead, Cazenove
Capital
Do your homework! Don’t take all the information on ESG that is told to
you for face value, make sure to apply your own analysis and pick the
investment that is right for your sustainability and investment objectives.
Barry Cowen, Senior Portfolio Manager, Sanlam
Investments
Separate E. S and G. They are linked, but they are not the same.
Understand the degrees and way in which a fund is focused on each
element and then how relevant it’s focus is to what you are looking
for.
Tim Cockerill, Investment Director, Rowan Dartington
Think about which areas of ESG are of particular interest to you and
the impact you want to have with your investment, and then select funds
which are aligned with your values.
Mathilde Rouhi, Sustainable Investment Analyst,
Vintage Asset Management
Don’t
let the different terminologies and jargon surrounding sustainable
investing put you off from getting involved – a healthy range of
approaches is an important part of keeping the field diversified and
avoiding greenwashing. Just make sure you are given clear and
transparent explanations of a company’s approach, as well as concrete
examples.
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