Greenwashing concerns dampen ESG enthusiasm

InvestorDaily

A new report from Aviva Investors has found that while global institutional investors are weighing sustainability in their investment decisions, greenwashing remains a concern. According to the fifth annual Real Assets Study from Aviva Investors, 93 per cent of global institutional investors “actively consider ESG and sustainability in their real assets investment decisions”. The report, which canvassed 500 institutional investors around the world representing more than $3.5 trillion in assets, also found that for 17 per cent, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters are a critical factor.

Two-thirds of respondents (67 per cent) reported their organisation has a responsibility to invest sustainably, but only half believe real asset investments can have a more direct ESG impact versus listed equities and credit. Despite an increasing focus on ESG, more than three-quarters (79 per cent) favour a fund or strategy that prioritises financial returns whilst integrating ESG factors. This preference for a returns-based approach holds true for 82 per cent of Asia-Pacific investors, compared with 90 per cent of investors in North America and 71 per cent of European investors.

The rest of this article can be found at investordaily.com.au.