Sustainable and responsible investors have been, and continue to be, a force for positive change, according to a Report released in September 2013 by the US SIF Foundation’s Center for Sustainable Investment Education. The Impact of Sustainable and Responsible Investment details how sustainable and responsible investors have influenced the investment industry, investors, companies, communities, and public policy and standard setting organizations.
Specifically, the Report presents examples of how sustainable and responsible investors have:
• changed the investment industry and added options for investors in public equities, depository institutions, loan funds, and private equity and other alternative investments
• improved companies through active ownership and engagement
• helped communities and individuals
• influenced public policy and developed global standard-setting organization
US SIF Foundation CEO Lisa Woll said, “The ideas and practices advanced through sustainable and responsible investment have captured global attention and are increasingly being integrated into investment decisions. Some of the most sophisticated investors around the world now understand that sustainable and responsible investment provides important insights and mitigates risks while also benefiting society.
Sustainable and responsible investment professionals have changed the investment industry by challenging and shifting traditional notions of investment practices. They have advanced the inclusion of ESG considerations in investment decisions to generate both positive societal impact and long-term competitive financial returns. In so doing, they have brought to market new investment options and services across a wide range of asset classes that appeal to both individual and institutional investors and help address serious social and environmental challenges.”
The Impact of Sustainable and Responsible Investing
Foreword
The US SIF Foundation is pleased to share this Report that highlights the positive impact that sustainable and responsible investing has had on investors and the investment industry, on companies, on individuals and communities, and on public policy. The US SIF Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that undertakes educational, research and programmatic activities to advance the mission of US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment.
This Report examines how sustainable and responsible investors have engaged the investment industry, companies, individuals, communities and governments–either individually or collectively–to address environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges and to reform the way business is conducted. It presents examples of how these investors have made a difference through their approaches not only to public equity investing, but also to such asset classes as private equity, cash, fixed income, real estate and infrastructure.
This Report is designed to:
a) Document some of the many successes of the sustainable and responsible investing field over the past twenty years and by so doing;
b) Better allow sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) practitioners, such as asset managers, investment advisors and asset owners, to communicate how SRI has influenced the investment industry, companies, communities, public policy and global standards.
The US SIF Foundation and the US SIF
The US SIF Foundation is a 501c3 organization that undertakes educational, research and programmatic activities to advance the mission of US SIF. The Center for Sustainable Investment Education serves the growing need of investment professionals in the United States to gain expertise in the field of sustainable and responsible investment. The Center provides high quality education, research and thought leadership on sustainable investment to investors, investment advisors, consultants and analysts.
US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment ( www.ussif.org ) is the US membership association for professionals, firms, institutions and organizations engaged in sustainable and responsible investing. US SIF and its members advance investment practices that consider environmental, social and corporate governance criteria to generate long-term competitive financial returns and positive societal impact. US SIF’s members include investment management and advisory firms, mutual fund companies, research firms, financial planners and advisors, broker-dealers, banks, credit unions, community development organizations, non-profit associations, and pension funds, foundations and other asset owners.
Additional Information Contact:
Megan Smith
phone 202-747-7820 / email msmith@ussif.org
