Climate change is all over the news. Today more than ever, many of us are making small changes to our lifestyle. From recycling to going vegan or using the car less often, we are changing our ways to reduce harm to the planet. As an island country reliant on primary production and tourism for much of its economic wealth, New Zealand is particularly vulnerable to the economic and environmental impacts of climate change.
ESG Investing hotter than ever
The only thing hotter than the Hawke's Bay summer right now? ESG funds. Between April and June, as the COVID-19 pandemic gained speed worldwide, funds that prioritised ESG investing saw global assets under management hit a record $1 trillion, according to Morningstar. That was on the back of net inflows of $7.1 billion in those three months alone.
Going green with your investments
According to a global sustainable investment group that covers Australia, New Zealand and other developed nations, assets managed under "responsible investment" strategies increased by 25 per cent between 2014-16 to US$22.89 trillion.