The Earth Day 2024 The topic is “Planet vs. Plastics”. It calls on everyone to “commit to widespread awareness of the health risks of plastics, to quickly remove all single-use plastics from circulation, to urgently push for a strong UN treaty on plastic pollution and to call for an end to fast fashion.” The aim is to cut back plastic production by 60% by 2040.
What is sustainable investing?
In recent years, Earth Day has also focused on sustainable investing, which considers an organization’s environmental, social and company governance (ESG) practices and policies and their potential impact on long-term performance and investment returns.
In March 2023, a survey was conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights on behalf of Mackenzie Investments found that 81% of Canadians think “it is important to use their investment dollars to influence positive social change.” Additionally, 92% of respondents who hold sustainable investments said they plan to extend their sustainable holdings in the following few years, in comparison with 71% last 12 months. However, investors also take a critical take a look at firms’ sustainability claims. Many respondents were concerned about greenwashing, poor access to information and the shortcoming to carry firms accountable for his or her social and environmental impacts.
Sustainable investing can be referred to as Responsible Investing (RI), Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), Ethical Investing, Green Investing and Impact Investing.
Which ESG aspects do investors consider?
Below are most of the non-financial topics that investors and other corporate stakeholders consider when evaluating ESG performance:
- Environment: Carbon emissions, air and water pollution, energy efficiency, water consumption, waste management, deforestation, biodiversity commitment, supply chain sustainability
- Social: Gender and variety, labor standards, human rights, customer support, community relations, data protection and privacy, worker engagement, health and safety at work
- Guide: board governance practices; diversity on the board; regulatory compliance; executive compensation; succession planning; diversity, equity and inclusion; bribery and corruption; lobbying; political donations
Learn more about responsible investing
If you are fascinated about aligning your investments together with your values, don’t miss these helpful reads:
- What is socially responsible investing?
Socially responsible investing means considering aspects aside from financial returns when deciding what to take a position in. Find out what aspects it’s best to concentrate to. - Why sustainable investing is very important
An investment advisor explains a very powerful details about sustainable investing, its different approaches (impact investing, purpose-driven investing, divestment, etc.) and the way to start. - An investor’s guide to ESG reporting in Canada
Companies and investment firms that report on ESG performance use a patchwork of standards – in the event that they report in any respect. Here’s the way to navigate sustainable investing. - 5 Ways to Invest Sustainably for Canadian Investors
If you should make a positive impact together with your investment decisions, here’s how you possibly can incorporate ESG aspects into your approach. - Responsible investing is on the rise in Canada. Which ESG aspects are most significant?
Investors are interested in ESG as a tool to attenuate risk and increase returns, based on a brand new report from the RIA. Here yow will discover out what asset managers concentrate to. - Greener days are ahead: there may be a brand new global standard for climate-related disclosures
New ISSB guidance on climate-related disclosures will make it easier for Canadian investors to discover which firms are ready for the net-zero economy. - ESG investors take note: Canada’s largest carbon-emitting public firms
Are Canadian firms making progress on carbon emissions? Climate Engagement Canada’s recent net zero assessments show there continues to be a protracted strategy to go. - The Cost of Socially Responsible Investing
What options can be found to Canadians who want to take a position responsibly? MoneyDown columnist Jason Heath examines products, performance and costs. - Two easy and reasonably priced portfolios for sustainability-oriented investors
Author Tim Nash presents two model portfolios – using exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from Vanguard and iShares – that consider each financial strategies and social/environmental features. - Halal investing in Canada
Canadian Muslims have unique investment needs. Jason Heath shares options compatible with Sharia law, including halal investment funds. - Invest together with your conscience
Investors who want to take a position their money where their personal values lie could also be fascinated about the growing range of ESG funds. But are they different enough from regular index funds to matter?
More ways to rejoice Earth Day
On April 22, you possibly can join other concerned residents in supporting the planet, whether you join us local cleanuptake Environmental measures at home or visit one Earth Day virtual event. You also can take a look at our editors’ favorite eco-friendly products and methods.
The first Earth Day was celebrated within the United States in 1970 and marked the start of the trendy environmental movement. In 1990, Earth Day was celebrated worldwide and mobilized tens of millions of individuals to take motion for the planet. This 12 months also saw the founding of Earth Day Canada.
