Atar Capital’s Post

https://lnkd.in/gVFMvuPc SEB's new fund, which boasts 50% lower #carbon intensity, is a promising push toward #greener #investments, but it raises an important question: Are we driving genuine transformation, or just adjusting the numbers? Lowering carbon intensity is a step forward, but can this alone truly reshape the financial landscape for sustainability, or are we still walking the same path with a lighter #footprint? This initiative reflects the rising demand for sustainable options from investors, yet the emphasis on carbon reduction brings up a broader issue: Does focusing solely on carbon metrics capture the full spectrum of sustainability? True progress involves much more than just reducing #emissions—it requires addressing interconnected challenges like social equity, biodiversity, and resource management. A one-dimensional view risks missing the bigger picture. It’s also worth considering whether investors might overestimate the impact of such funds. Celebrating reduced carbon intensity is easy, but real progress involves comprehensive efforts across all aspects of #ESG. If the financial world narrows its focus too much on carbon, other critical areas of sustainability might be overlooked. The question isn’t just how much carbon we reduce, but whether these kinds of funds can genuinely transform the way we think about investing. SEB's launch is a positive move, but its lasting effect will depend on whether it spurs wider efforts across all facets of ESG—or if it simply shifts us toward greener accounting without deeper change.

Just published // WHEB’s Impact Report 2023 // Staying the course for a more sustainable future The dominant market narrative over the past few years has been focused on interest rates and artificial intelligence. Attention on sustainability has suffered as a consequence and this has caused some asset managers to retreat from the market. But while we have been issuing annual impact reports for a decade, our experience in sustainability investing stretches back into the previous century. We have been here before, and this cycle will turn again. In the meantime, clients can trust WHEB to remain totally committed to sustainability investing. It is our whole focus and is embedded in our business mission and legal structure. Our 2023 Impact Report demonstrates this commitment. https://lnkd.in/gw9YcjnZ #impactinvesting #impactreporting The value of units in FP WHEB Sustainability Fund, WHEB Sustainable Impact Fund or WHEB Environmental Impact Fund may increase or decrease and you may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance does not predict future returns. Your capital is at risk.

The suggestion to retire the ESG label for funds sparks a thought-provoking debate within the investment community, highlighting the evolving landscape of sustainable investing. While the ESG label has served as a valuable tool for investors seeking socially responsible investment options, critics argue that it has become overly broad and lacks the specificity needed to differentiate funds based on their sustainability credentials. This call for retirement reflects a growing recognition of the need for clearer, more standardized frameworks that can provide investors with transparent and reliable information about the environmental, social, and governance factors driving investment decisions. Amidst this discourse, the focus shifts towards refining and enhancing existing frameworks to better meet the needs of investors and promote greater transparency and accountability in sustainable investing. As the industry continues to evolve, stakeholders must collaborate to develop robust standards and methodologies that accurately reflect a fund's sustainability performance and impact. By embracing innovation and continuous improvement, the investment community can ensure that sustainable investing remains a powerful tool for driving positive change and advancing environmental and social objectives. #SustainableInvesting #ESGInvesting #SociallyResponsibleInvesting #InvestmentManagement #SustainabilityMetrics #InvestmentTransparency #FinancialMarkets #InvestmentStrategies #CorporateGovernance #EnvironmentalImpact #SocialImpact

🌿 Green Investing: How to Invest in Sustainable Stocks 🌿 Green investing focuses on companies that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility. Find out how to invest in sustainable stocks and make a positive impact. #GreenInvesting #SustainableInvesting #ESG https://lnkd.in/gStbHTxW

In short, sustainability performance of mid-market companies moves the needle. Private companies not only play a significant role in the economy; they are integral and influential in shaping society. If we look at the European mid-market segment it accounts for roughly one third of the private sector GDP and one third of the jobs. By implementing a more environmentally conscious business model, private companies can help encourage consumer behaviour to change. And that is what we need.

The term environmental, social, and governance (ESG) has gained momentum and scrutiny ever since it entered industry vernacular. Critics label ESG as mere virtue-signaling and argue that ESG investing lacks the financial returns to substantiate its value. However, demand for sustainability-driven investment products and businesses tells a different story. Eashwar Viswanathan, VP of product management at Arcesium, offers 9 reasons why sustainable investing is here to stay. Learn more here: https://okt.to/7LIHvS #ArcesiumInsights #ESGInvesting #SustainableInvesting

ESG fund launches are on the decline. Only 64 green funds debuted globally between January and March this year, according to data from Morningstar prepared for Financial News. This was the lowest number of quarterly launches in the sector in five years and less than half the number of funds that came to market in the first quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, sustainable fund closures outpaced new products for the first time over the period analysed. #ESG #sustainablefunds https://lnkd.in/eWek2fkA

Did you know some "dark green" funds invest in luxury cars, airlines, and alcohol? Or that funds with "ESG" in their name often have little to do with real-world positive impact? And that biotech and education-focused funds are often not even recognised as sustainable? With the launch of the world’s first open fund impact database, Upright analysed 35,000+ mutual funds and ETFs for impact – uncovering surprising insights into the state of "sustainable investing." Download our latest report to learn: 🔎 Key insights from Upright’s open fund impact database 🔎 Data-backed evidence showing how ESG labels and fund names often misrepresent actual impact 🔎 Surprising findings on the impact and holdings of "dark green" Article 9 funds 🔎 How investors can navigate the complex sustainability data landscape Download now: https://lnkd.in/e2J2RFb4

Do ESG & Sustainable Investment Funds Perform Well Yes. The evidence is increasingly clear. When managed properly and strategically ESG and Sustainable Investment Funds perform well in the short term. According to Nasdaq, some studies suggest that companies with high ESG scores tend to outperform the market. Businesses that delivery strong ESG and Sustainability Impact and communicate it well often have reduced risks, improved market access and other intangible assets that affect long-term performance. 

Just published // WHEB’s Impact Report 2023 // Staying the course for a more sustainable future Markets have been volatile. 2024 brings standardised reporting driven by regulatory requirements. The result has been the departure of the ‘ESG tourists’ - asset managers who stampeded into the sustainability market just a few years ago. However, at WHEB we continue to #invest and #innovate. In 2023 we expanded our Impact Investment Team further and now have a team of 10 powering our investment process. We have also been building out our capabilities in stewardship and engagement. This work is rooted at the core of our investment process. It allows us to target our activities at key areas where we believe we can contribute to real change. This includes activities that support the development of public policy and market standards. We were heavily involved with the FCA’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) that will launch in July. For more on what we’ve been up to in 2023, read our report: https://lnkd.in/gw9YcjnZ We'd love to hear your thoughts on it, so if you have any feedback at all please just drop us a message. Huge thanks to Jory&Co. for designing a report (for the third year running) that we are so proud of. 💚 #impactreporting #positiveimpact #solutions The value of units in FP WHEB Sustainability Fund, WHEB Sustainable Impact Fund or WHEB Environmental Impact Fund may increase or decrease and you may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance does not predict future returns. Your capital is at risk.