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It's not enough to quote development goals 

We want, we need, a better world. Sustainable investment is one way of helping make that happen. However, it's becoming common for investment funds to claim they support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But that's not enough. There is a risk it can become a box ticking exercise, changing very little. In this Daily Mail This is Money article I'm quoted saying the following:

"It is becoming increasingly common to see fund managers talk about how their funds match up to the SDGs but I don’t think this tells investors that much unless they are integrating those concerns into the investment strategy in a credible way. 

"It is too easy to produce a presentation on a portfolio which has ticks for supporting SDGs but most large companies will qualify in some way. If you also say you talk to companies about the SDGs then you can tick more boxes. But that’s not enough for an integrated responsible investment approach. I suspect one reason fund managers or advisers quote the SDGs is that they do not have any other framework around which to build a responsible investment strategy."
 

Comments made to This is Money, 26/08/2019

 
Mining and the common good 
I have been involved with the Mining and Faith Reflections Initiative from the start. It brings global mining CEOs together with church leaders from around the world. The aim: explore how mining can better serve the common good.
It is good to assess progress on ESG 
Investors need to be clear what criteria they are applying.
Shareholder resolutions have their place
Blackrock announced it is likely to support proportionately fewer resolutions on climate change this year. Makes sense but resolutions can change companies.
Keeping faith with ESG principles is hard to do 
My letter in the Financial Times on ESG, ethics, and activist investing.
The 100 trillion dollar question 
My assessment of the finance pledges at COP26 and what really matters.
ESG must learn from the tech bubble - returns matter 
Investors must not forget about profits, even as they focus on wider criteria.
Companies must be discerning when picking causes to support 
Unless CEOs and their boards are clear about their own values, and those of the companies they run, they will fall down a rabbit hole of confusion.
Stephen Beer leaves the CFB 
Press announcement from the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church.