RIVA Recruitment’s director, Fabian Ruggieri, was fortunate enough to chair a panel discussion on Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) investing organised by the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA). This event was sponsored by Bentham Asset Management who specialise in global fixed interest and credit investment management. This was the first event in the ‘Gen Next Financial Planning Series’.
With the substantial increase in client demand for ESG investment options, the panel discussed solutions to navigate new client ESG needs. The specialist panel contained ESG industry leaders Erica Hall, ESG Analyst at Morningstar, Michael Josephson, Senior Financial Adviser at Ethinvest, and Nathan Fradley, Senior Financial Adviser at Tribeca Financial and Director at Ethos Australia. The panel covered the following ESG discussion points:
- Understanding and avoiding ‘greenwashing’ when building an ESG portfolio
- The future of ESG investing and how financial advisers can help direct capital to impact beneficial ESG change
- How to include ESG investing as part of a client fact find
- How the demand for climate change is changing the way clients invest.
Furthermore, the panel discussed various ESG investment research tools which are available to assist financial advisers to which have been provided below:
Investment Ratings and Research
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Free database of ESG research articles |
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Wholesale impact investment research |
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Evergreen Responsible Investment Grading Index – Fund ratings |
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Company and fund ESG ratings |
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Ethical fund ratings |
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Basic high-level comments about ESG funds |
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Qualitative and quantitative ESG information (Incl. sustainability and carbon metrics) – shares and funds |
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Responsible investment products reviewed by RIAA (Responsible Investment Association of Australia) |
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Global and AU listed equities ESG research |
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Company distribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) |
Adviser Education on ESG
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Education of providing ethical investment advice |
ESG investment framework
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Support and training in ethical investment advice |
Shareholder activism and corporate engagement focused NGOs
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Research and advocacy on various ESG practices |
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The Climate Wreckers Index – the top 180 ‘Climate Wrecking’ companies |
The AFA will be hosting future Gen Next events as part of the financial planning professional series. See AFA’s website for upcoming events.
RIVA Recruitment specialises in financial services recruitment across Australia. If you are seeking a new employee for your business or you are seeking an new employment opportunity, please feel free to contact us via LinkedIn, on 03 7003 7618, or email us at enquiries@rivarecruitment.com.au for further information.
