If you’re looking to help the world while also making money, socially responsible investing can be a great fit. Not only can it help improve your portfolio and help you achieve your investment goals, but it also gives you the chance to invest in companies that are doing good in the world.
A sustainable investment portfolio is a collection of investments chosen to achieve both financial returns and positive social or environmental impact. Sustainable investing considers a range of factors beyond pure financial gain, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
When managed correctly, a sustainable portfolio will help you address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality while also generating financial returns.
With that said, if you want to ensure that your investment portfolio is sustainable, it’s important to make sure that your investments align with your ethical and environmental values.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the key characteristics of a sustainable investment portfolio.
What are the Key Characteristics of a Sustainable Investment Portfolio?
1. Investments in the Portfolio Should Align with the Investor’s Values
If you are investing for both financial gain and social or environmental impact, you need to make sure that your investments align with your ethics.
For example, if you are passionate about combating climate change, you might consider investing in renewable energy or cleantech companies.
On the other hand, if you are more interested in social impact, you might want to invest in affordable housing or microfinance.
The key is to ensure that your investments align with your values.
2. It Should be Diversified
A diversified portfolio includes a variety of different types of investments. It can help to mitigate risk and increase returns. For instance, a sustainable investment portfolio might include a mix of stocks, bonds, and real estate. It might also include investments in different industries and geographies.
3. It Should be Managed for the Long Term
It’s important to think long-term when it comes to sustainable investing. It means considering an investment’s environmental and social impact over its entire life cycle.
It also means taking a holistic approach to risk management. For example, an environmentally friendly company might have some financial risks in the short term but be well-positioned for the long term.
4. It Should be Active or Passive
There are two main approaches to sustainable investing: active and passive.
Active investing involves selecting individual investments that meet certain ESG criteria. For example, an active investor might only invest in companies with a strong track record on environmental, social, and governance issues.
On the other hand, passive investing involves investing in a basket of securities that track an index. For example, several environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indices are now available.
The key difference between active and passive sustainable investing is the amount of involvement required. Active investors need to be more hands-on, while passive investors can take a hands-off approach.
Winding It Up
There are many ways investing in SRI funds can benefit you, but the most important thing to remember is that investing in SRI funds is about more than just making money—it’s about making a difference.Consider the key characteristics listed above to create a sustainable investment portfolio.
