Earth Day is on Friday, April 22nd this year!

Celebrate Mother Earth by taking the day to get outside, enjoy nature, and consider your role in your community.

We all want to make small changes to make the world a better place, and some of these changes can take place through your investment portfolio! In this article we discuss Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, also known as Socially Responsible Investing. We will take a look into how to get started, and the difference it can make for both your investments and the environment.

Discover ESG Investing

ESG investing is a strategy that allows investors to build a more ethical portfolio. ESG investments are very strict in what they include, and the criteria determining this classification are directly tied to a company’s structure and performance rather than personal values. When selecting which investments are right for your personal portfolio it is important to talk with an Advisor who has expertise in ESG Investing.

Here are some factors that are considered by each category:

Environmental

Carbon emissions
Air and water pollution
Water usage
Fossil fuel/green energy usage
Deforestation

Social

Employee diversity
Customer satisfaction
Employee protection
Sexual harassment and protected class policies
Fair labor practices
Human rights

Governance

Board member diversity
Lawsuits
Lobbying
Executive salaries
Conflicts of interest
Shareholder rights

Investments can have an ESG score that determines how well they adhere to the given guidelines and consider the above factors.

The Rise of ESG Investing

Not only can ESG investing be better for the environment and social justice, but it can also be great for investors. According to Forbes, ESG funds outperformed non-ESG funds based on annualized returns over the last 3, 5, and 10 year periods.1 ESG funds also outperformed non-ESG funds and the stock market in risk-adjusted returns.

It is no surprise that ESG funds have become more popular for investors of all backgrounds. According to Fast Company, investors poured about $120 billion into sustainable investments in 2021, more than double the $51 billion in ESG investments in 2020. About one-third of all assets contain sustainable investments.2

Plus, the diverse availability of different ESG investment funds may fit more directly with your values, such as investing in a company that is championing green energy initiatives or is working to become carbon neutral or even carbon negative.

How to Get Started with ESG Investing

If you’ve decided that ESG investing is aligned with your personal goals and values, it’s easy to get started.

The first method is to examine your portfolio and include ESG companies. You can find ESG investments that align with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and personal values by doing your research. If you want more guidance with ESG investing there is always the option is to work with a financial advisor who has experience with ESG investing. Look for an advisor who believes in being a good global citizen through their business practices and the investment options they offer their clients.

At Deschutes we have two advisors in particular Laura Fallon-Burns, CFP® and Phil Sherman, CFP®, CPFA®, who are both very passionate and well versed on the topic of Socially Responsible Investing. Laura Fallon-Burns, CFP® states that, "Just like other investments, not all ESG investments are good ones. That is why at Deschutes Investment Consulting, our ESG Strategies first must pass the normal rigorous screening process, and then our ESG screening process as we have specific Investment Strategies for our Corporate Retirement plans, Non-Profits, and individual wealth management clients."

From recycling and cutting out single-use plastic to cleaning up the streets, parks, and beaches by your house, there are many ways to get outside and celebrate Earth Day. ESG investing can be a lasting strategy to help you create a portfolio that reflects your values. As we grow as a global community and educate each other on ways to protect our planet, we will likely see an even more dramatic increase in ESG investing.

If you would like more info on how to get started with ESG Investing we are here to help.

For Questions or to request a Consultation with any of Deschutes Investment Advisors please fill out your information here and someone will be in touch.