Economic Realities of ESG1

New PwC research, conducted in September 2021, surveyed 325 investors globally, the majority of whom were self-identified active asset managers making investments for the long term. Research reveals that those investors express commitment to ESG goals in their investing. At the same time, most respondents expressed reluctance to take a hit on their returns exceeding one percentage point in the pursuit of ESG goals. Many also described significant reservations about the quality of the information available to them when evaluating ESG priorities. For leaders the question is how to deliver both the business transformation necessitated by the changing climate and the returns investors expect from them as fiduciaries. The research describes priorities, and offers fresh insights about the leadership required to lead such a ESG transformation.

James Chalmers, Emma Cox, Nadja Picard, with contribution from Hilary Eastman

SIR*IUS 3/2022