This is the first of two articles from GreenMoney's International ESG/SRI Investing issue featuring short profiles on a number of the International SRI Mutual Funds, which invest in companies outside the United States. The information below comes from each Fund and is subject to change. We have included their website links for you to look up the latest information including Company Holdings, Country Allocations and Financial Performance.
Uncovering investment opportunities with a focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors across the world’s fastest-growing region.
Blog
by Vivek Tanneeru, Portfolio Manager at Matthews Asia
In Asia, ESG investing encompasses large, transformational changes. It focuses on companies that can potentially deliver profits and growth from improving the quality of life across the region. Within this context, Matthews Asia launched the Matthews Asia ESG Fund more than four years ago. Managed by Vivek Tanneeru, the Fund seeks to capitalize on the growth of the region by investing with an ESG lens.
To boost portfolio ESG quality and the potential for improved risk-adjusted returns
Article
by Scott LaBreche, Director at Impax Asset Management
The megatrends underlying the transition to a more sustainable economy, such as climate change and widening inequality, are global issues. It should come as no surprise, then, that companies are addressing sustainability risks and opportunities regardless of their domicile.
So investors may be wondering, how are companies in developed markets outside the U.S. and Canada performing on sustainability issues? It varies, of course, but on the whole, they are performing better than those in the U.S.
by Doug Lynam, book author and financial professional
I’ve always hated talking about money. Growing up in a rich family, I learned through the behavior of those around me that money and materialism were evil. Instead of being used in love and service, money was weaponized and became a tool to manipulate and control behavior. So when I began studying philosophy and religion in high school and read the words of Paul the apostle, “For the love of money is the root of all evil,” I mistakenly believed Paul was right. I was a proto-monk in the making.
by Gabe Rissman Co-Founder and President, YourStake.org
I rose to the podium, looked Exxon then-CEO Rex Tillerson in the eye, and spoke. “Why does Exxon fund climate-denying organizations, when you publicly support a carbon tax?” Tillerson deflected the question at the time: “we would never impinge on ALEC’s free speech.” D’oh. Two years later, in July 2018, Exxon ceased funding ALEC, the climate change denying organization I highlighted.
by Kristin Hull, Founder and CEO, Nia Impact Capital
While many of us have been at this for a while now, 2018 is the year we stand to make significant progress in our efforts to bring more women into the financial fold. The #MeToo movement has brought attention to women’s equality everywhere from the red carpet in Hollywood to the executive suite and the board room on Wall Street. The more recent Oscar’s hashtag #HereWeAre is also serving to raise awareness of the importance of women’s voices being included and heard.
Insights from the President of Parnassus Investments
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By Benjamin E. Allen, President, Parnassus Investments and a portfolio manager for the Parnassus Core Equity Fund
As President of Parnassus Investments, I often think about what responsible investing might look like over the coming decades. The future is anchored in the past, so I believe the best way to begin an answer to this question is with a look back at the early years of responsible investing.
