Impact Investing

We reap what we sow: the “double dividend” concept seeks to offer financial returns and a better tomorrow

Generating financial returns and making a positive impact on our planet and society are equally important in impact investing – but so is measurement. To effectively measure impact, we use a systematic and repeatable approach with a commitment to full transparency at all times.

Clean and safe water is essential to human survival. A key building block of our world, it’s also at the center of many global challenges. World Water Week draws attention to the need for innovation at a time of unprecedented challenges.

Biodiversity loss often takes a backseat to climate change in global headlines but ignoring the preservation of natural ecosystems poses a threat to water, land, marine life, health, and can increase poverty. There is an urgent need for change. The upcoming COP 15 will address biodiversity solutions that will benefit companies, investors, and society.

With Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh being the venue of this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), it’s worth remembering that developing economies bear most of the negative effects of emissions mainly produced in industrialized nations. Therefore, the onus is on western companies to go “net zero carbon”, but how to measure their progress? One common yardstick for investors is the carbon footprint method – or the more encompassing “potential avoided emissions” method propagated by Vontobel’s impact investing team.

The renewables industry looks set to benefit from tightening regulation in the European Union, or a recently signed US law aiming to decarbonize the US power sector. The nascent “clean energy” industry, which encompasses areas such as electric vehicles, batteries, or hydrogen produced in a sustainable manner, opens new opportunities for investors as well.

Feeding a starving person is important, we all agree on that. But from an investor’s point of view, allocating capital to companies working towards the same end is perhaps even more appropriate. But first, go find promising ones active in areas such as increasing land yields, reducing food waste, or preserving biodiversity, to name a few.

Asset owners are increasingly demanding net zero plans from their investment managers, who need to determine how to track and reduce portfolio emissions. Issues include: rebalancing vs rate of reduction, whether it’s too early for Scope 3, and ensuring engagements go beyond the more receptive European and US markets.

The circular economy, popularized by expressions such as “zero waste”, “right to repair”, or “from farm to fork”, is rooted in the knowledge that resources are finite. Companies that manage to reduce their consumption of raw materials are likely to increase their profits and market share, which will ultimately benefit investors. Past examples of corporate successes based on the circular economy include the Italian Vespa scooter.

Last year the Fortune 500 had a record 41 women CEOs. Yet US women earned just $83 for each $100 by men on average, reflecting the corporate ladder’s ‘broken rungs.’ This blog looks at female led company profiles, workplace headwinds for women, and ways to improve the flow of meritocracy.