The megatrends underlying the transition to a more sustainable economy, such as climate change and widening inequality, are global issues. Companies are addressing sustainability risks and opportunities globally. We look at the ESG quality phenomenon and other takeaways about risk and performance from our experience managing the Pax MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Index Fund.
In Asia, ESG investing encompasses large, transformational changes. It focuses on companies that can potentially deliver profits and growth from improving the quality of life across the region. Within this context, Matthews Asia launched the ESG Fund more than four years ago. The Fund seeks to capitalize on the growth of the region by investing with an ESG lens.
This is the first of two articles featuring short profiles on a number of the International SRI Mutual Funds, which invest in companies outside the United States, including from Domini Impact Investments, Thornburg Investment Management, Boston Common Asset Management.
This is the second of two articles featuring short profiles on a number of the International SRI Mutual Funds, which invest in companies outside the United States, including from Calvert Research and Management, Green Century Funds, Praxis Mutual Funds, and Mirova.
“Look at my choices Mija, and be sure to make better ones.” This is what my mother used to say to me when I was young. I was a happy and precocious child and my mother took great care of me. She made our home a place of love, laughter, learning, and music. Then our lives took a financial turn for the worse.
I’ve always hated talking about money. Growing up in a rich family, I learned through the behavior of those around me that money and materialism were evil. Instead of being used in love and service, money was weaponized and became a tool to manipulate and control behavior.
Growing up as a little girl in Brooklyn, I had no idea that we were low to middle income. Our community was rich and full. We loved and respected each other, our neighbors and our friends. We never talked about money but somehow we managed to “manage.” Then at age 11, I experienced what not having money meant.
My money story began in a middle-class neighborhood in the suburbs of Seattle. My father was a teacher and worked evenings selling financial products to bring in additional income. My mom stayed home and raised three children. My parents modeled frugality in their money choices: reusing and getting the maximum life out of everything from clothes to tools.
“What creates financial success?” “How do you move from zero savings to financial security?” Those were my burning questions for many years. Now, things have improved personally. We have a city home and a country cabin. The desire to own a home and to have financial security springs from being homeless for a while in my teens.
Buildings are a big part of the sustainability challenge, and thus a huge opportunity. The construction and operations of buildings account for 40% of global energy use, 30% of energy-related GHG emissions, approximately 12% of water use, nearly 40% of waste, and employs 10% of the workforce.
