AGF Logo
  • Home
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Français
  • AGF.com
Skip to content
AGF logo
Insights and Market Perspectives
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Contributors
  • Français
  • Search
Search
Close
ESG integration a top priority of investors

  • Investing and Market Views

For Print Only Logo
Insights and Market Perspectives

ESG integration a top priority of investors

Author: Kevin McCreadie

December 14, 2018

In the world of responsible investing, it’s been said that “Who Cares Wins.” That was the title of a landmark report that first coined the term ESG more than two decades ago, unleashing a new way of looking at investing by incorporating environmental, social and governance considerations into the everyday decision making of investors.

Today, there’s never been more evidence that ESG integration is seen as a path to creating long-term value for shareholders while also contributing to a better environment, healthier communities and good corporate governance practices. In fact, in Canada alone, there is now $2.1 trillion in responsible assets under management, representing 42% growth over the past two years and 51% of Canada’s investment industry.*

It’s not surprising then that investors are becoming much more vocal in expressing their desire to know more about responsible investing initiatives and the options available to them. We heard loud and clear from this year’s RIA survey of Canadian investors that they understand the connection between ESG factors and financial results, and are committed to investing in solutions that contribute to building a sustainable future.

For example, while 73% of investors believe climate change will create risks for the global economy within the next 5 years, 66% of those polled would like a portion of their portfolio invested in companies that are providing solutions to climate change and environmental challenges. Moreover, 71% agreed that companies with good ESG practices are better long-term investments.

As a leader in the development of sustainable investing initiatives, AGF is excited to hear that investors are aligned with much of our thinking. It’s not enough, however, to just to create more responsibly-minded investment strategies. As the survey also showed, investors are looking for more guidance on how to align their values with the growing choices that are now available to them on this front.

The ongoing education of investors, therefore, needs to remain a top priority across the investment industry. By upping our collective understanding of the varying aspects of responsible investing, we can drive more meaningful change.

Kevin McCreadie is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer at AGF Management Ltd. He is a regular contributor to AGF Perspectives.


*2018 Canadian Responsible Investment Trends Report” Responsible Investment Association
The commentaries contained herein are provided as a general source of information based on information available as of November 21, 2019 and should not be considered as investment advice or an offer or solicitations to buy and/or sell securities. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in these commentaries at the time of publication however, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Investors are expected to obtain professional investment advice.
AGF Investments is a group of wholly owned subsidiaries of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian reporting issuer. The subsidiaries included in AGF Investments are AGF Investments Inc. (AGFI), Highstreet Asset Management Inc. (Highstreet), AGF Investments America Inc. (AGFA), AGF Asset Management (Asia) Limited (AGF AM Asia) and AGF International Advisors Company Limited (AGFIA). AGFA is a registered advisor in the U.S. AGFI and Highstreet are registered as portfolio managers across Canadian securities commissions. AGFIA is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and registered with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. AGF AM Asia is registered as a portfolio manager in Singapore. The subsidiaries that form AGF Investments manage a variety of mandates comprised of equity, fixed income and balanced assets.

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. AGF brings a disciplined approach to delivering excellence in investment management through its fundamental, quantitative, alternative and high-net-worth businesses focused on providing an exceptional client experience. AGF’s suite of investment solutions extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and individual investors to institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds and endowments and foundations.

For further information, please visit AGF.com.

© 2022 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

Written by

Kevin McCreadie

Kevin McCreadie, MBA, CFA®

CEO and Chief Investment Officer

AGF Management Ltd.

More from Kevin McCreadie

  • Investing and Market Views

Will the Fed and Other Central Banks Get It Right?

May 20, 2022

  • Investing and Market Views

Positioning a Portfolio for More Volatility Ahead

April 26, 2022

  • Investing and Market Views

Fade the Market Correction, but for How Long?

April 5, 2022

  • Investing and Market Views

War and the Fear of Recession

March 3, 2022

Get perspectives straight to your inbox.

Subscribe now

More articles like this.

Using Technical Analysis to Navigate Market Volatility

  • Investing and Market Views

Using Technical Analysis to Navigate Market Volatility

John Christofilos | June 21, 2022

John Christofilos, AGF’s Chief Trading Officer, explains why trendlines, moving averages and overbought/oversold signals matter…

Read More
Should Equity Markets Really Be This Volatile?

  • Investing and Market Views

Should Equity Markets Really Be This Volatile?

Abhishek Ashok | June 20, 2022

Every month, AGFiQ highlights the investment factors that are helping shape equity markets. Today’s focus is factor volatility and how the year so far stacks up to previous periods of heightened market turbulence.

Read More
Agriculture Stocks and the Looming Global Food Crisis

  • Investing and Market Views

Agriculture Stocks and the Looming Global Food Crisis

John Kratochwil | June 15, 2022

Fertilizer production and crop-protection companies may continue to benefit from elevated cash flows in the current environment. So might their investors.

Read More
AGF Logo
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
Follow AGF

AGF Web Site Pages © 2022 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

Links
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy
  • AGF.com