06.08.2021
Eco-friendly companies are growing in importance to investors on several levels. An increasing number of people are concerned about the environment while businesses must run operations as efficiently as possible. Cutting waste and production costs are significant components of achieving sustainability. Here’s a look at environmental, social and governance concerns that are steering ESG investing trends.
ESG investing trends
ESG stands for environmental, social and governance. Environmental concerns are the driving force behind the wave of investing in green companies. Investors care that company policies and actions avoid litigation surrounding costly environmental damage due to outdated production and disposal practices. Researching company ESG scores is now a regular chore for stock analysts and investors interested in sustainability.
The concept of company ESG scores is in its infancy. Meanwhile, there’s a need to adopt consistent standards for calculation, as various entities use different scoring methods. One of the most prominent organizations getting attention for ESG scores is S&P Global, which scores over 7300 firms. The methodology is based on management responses to over 100 survey questions and other available data. About 30 different factors determine the final ESG score.
Another common source for ESG scores is MSCI, which gives ABC letter ratings to companies based on how well companies manage ESG risks. In this system, AA and AAA ratings mean ESG leaders while CCC ratings reflect laggards. The current trend in ESG investing includes a debate on how to prioritize and measure ESG issues.
Why invest in sustainability?
To say “sustainability is the future” would be an understatement. Sustainability is a concept that has gradually become part of the intense discussions for investors in evaluating a company’s current and future financial condition. It also takes into account the organization’s impact beyond cost efficiency, such as on employees and the community.
The most important themes associated with sustainability include going green, saving energy, reducing waste, cutting costs, preserving capital and addressing social concerns that affect people’s health and well being.
In the early 2020s sustainable companies to invest in have come from utilities and large-scale industries such as tech, solar, electric vehicles and organic food. Eco-friendly solutions are at the heart of the sustainability movement, which ventures beyond going green. It emphasizes public safety, diversity, respectful treatment of employees and protecting privacy.
Sustainability should be an integral part of a business model since it relates to long-term strategic planning. It’s all about cutting costs and waste while improving productivity. So why invest in sustainability? It’s here to stay and it’s defining companies of the future.
How to find ESG investing trends
Investors can use ESG scores as indicators if a company is making advancements in sustainability. Further examination should reveal whether the target firm engages in the following green practices:
– Cutting energy use, costs and waste
– Using eco-friendly materials with limited negative environmental impacts
– Maintaining a healthy workplace environment will clean indoor air
– Reducing greenhouse gases by investing in clean renewable energy
– Making products and containers that can be reused and recycled
– Setting goals for zero emissions and reducing the overall carbon footprint
When looking for sustainable companies to invest in, ask yourself how well the firm contributes to a domino effect in helping society. One of the most compelling ESG investing trends revolves around water conservation.
Toward more sustainable investing: company ESG scores
Using company ESG scores provides investors with deeper insights into how companies are accomplishing their sustainability goals. Ultimately, the goal of sustainability investing focuses on innovative firms actually contributing to protecting the environment, social ideals and credible governance transparency. Planning for water efficiency in the future is an essential building block to financial and environmental sustainability.
Shayp is a leader in improving water efficiency in buildings, leading to a 22% reduction in water loss on average. If you would like to evaluate the impact of your real estate assets, reduce water usage and improve the environmental impact of your organizations, contact the experts at Shayp.
