Tim Quinson on the global popularity of ESG

Investors have been increasing their bets on ESG, in part because they want to avoid polluters like Big Oil. About $20 billion flowed into ESG- and values-focused exchange-traded funds this year (as of Sept. 30), exceeding the calendar-year record of $9.2 billion set in 2019, data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence show. 

Climate change ranks right behind corruption among the biggest ESG-related concerns for investors, according to a survey of about 800 fund industry officials and consultants by RBC Global Asset Management. 

But America lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to putting ESG to work financially. While 94% of respondents in Europe, 89% in Canada and 72% in Asia said they have incorporated ESG into their investment approach, only 65% of U.S. investors have done so.

~ Tim Quinson, "Trump Administration Moves at ‘Warp Speed’ to Scrap ESG Rule," WealthManagement.com, October 21, 2020