Sustainable investment 

Sustainable investment 

To ensure financial success, investors can diversify and expand their portfolios using a variety of tactics. The idea of sustainable investing is one trend that is altering how companies and investors view investments. Sustainable investing has influenced positive social change, which has shaped the world. It has also been demonstrated that making investments more sustainable can have a positive financial impact on both individuals and companies. As they tackle the most significant global problems, purpose-driven leaders and organisations can prosper by establishing sustainable business strategies. 

What is sustainable investment? 

Various strategies are called sustainable investing, in which investors seek to maximise profits while advancing long-term environmental or social benefits. By integrating environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) insights with conventional investment methodologies, investors can provide more thorough evaluations and make better investment decisions. 

With sustainable investing, businesses are evaluated on their overall contributions to society rather than just their immediate financial success. Investors must consider how their decisions affect the political, social, and environmental environments. 

Understanding sustainable investment 

Sustainable investment aims to create positive returns while promoting long-term global sustainability through a strategic approach to financial activity that goes beyond conventional financial measurements. Sustainable investors look for opportunities in businesses and initiatives that highly value social impact, environmental responsibility, and ethical business practices. In addition to addressing urgent social and ecological issues, this investment strategy recognises the connection between financial success and overall global well-being, promoting a more resilient and inclusive economy for both the present and the future. This is achieved by matching capital with sustainability goals. 

Strategies for sustainable investment 

The various strategies for sustainable investment are as follows: 

  • Impact investors aim to produce profitable returns and beneficial social and environmental effects. They put money into funds that deal with particular global issues, including healthcare, poverty reduction, and renewable energy. 
  • Investing in companies more dedicated to environmentally sustainable practices than their rivals is the aim of positive screening. They pick businesses at the forefront of their industry’s sustainability initiatives. 
  • Negative screening eliminates businesses or sectors of the economy that conflict with the moral principles of the investor. Investors might avoid companies that engage in tobacco or environmentally harmful activities. 
  • By taking part in proxy voting and having discussions with corporations to promote ethical business practices, you may become an activist shareholder. Keep an eye on prospective investments’ ESG ratings and keep up with worldwide sustainability developments. 
  • A company’s performance may be impacted by changing rules, so keep a close look at new regulations regarding sustainability. Re-evaluate your portfolio regularly to make sure it reflects changing market conditions and sustainability goals. 

Importance of sustainable investment 

The growing popularity of sustainable investment can be attributed to the concerns of ethical investing, particularly among millennials and impact investors, who seek to support businesses that uphold core principles and effect good change. Companies that adopt sustainable practices are encouraged by sustainable investing, which can result in long-term financial and social benefits.  

Encouraging companies to go green helps create mission-driven companies that influence the community and environment beyond just selling products or services. Sustainable business practices are frequently used to address significant global challenges like climate change. Learning about sustainable investment methods will help you decide where and when to invest based on your values and market trends. 

Examples of sustainable investment 

Including renewable energy assets in a portfolio is a prime example of sustainable investing. Investors can designate their money to businesses developing and running solar or wind energy projects. Encouraging the use of renewable energy helps environmental sustainability goals and the expansion of sectors that reduce their carbon impact. Investments in renewable energy that are sustainable both financially and environmentally can help the world’s energy transition to one that is more ecologically friendly and sustainable. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Sustainable investment offers benefits such as long-term financial performance, reduced risk through ESG factors, alignment with ethical values, positive societal and environmental impact, and fostering responsible business practices. Investors can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient global economy while achieving financial goals. 

Sustainable investment principles, guided by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, focus on environmental responsibility, social impact, and governance practices. Investors seek companies with favourable environmental practices, promote social responsibility, and consider effective governance structures. These principles align investments with ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible business practices, contributing to a more inclusive and environmentally conscious global economy. 

Sustainable investing is a comprehensive approach that incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into investment decisions. The objective is to synchronise financial resources with enduringly sustainable methodologies and enterprises that benefit the community and the ecosystem. 

 The goal of socially responsible investment, or SRI, is to invest exclusively in businesses that meet specified moral or social standards. It seeks to assist companies that uphold socially conscious standards and steer clear of those engaged in actions considered detrimental to the community. 

Impact investing actively looks for investments that provide quantifiable, favourable social or environmental effects and financial rewards, going beyond simply considering ethical considerations. Beyond meeting financial targets, the main objective is to effect positive change. 

The origins of sustainable investing can be found in the ethical investing practices of the 18th century. Growing social and environmental concerns during the 20th century gave rise to socially responsible investing. After gaining popularity in the late 20th century, the phrase “sustainable investment” now refers to a dynamic field with growing legislative support, worldwide awareness, and various investment products centred around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. 

Sustainable investment encourages moral and responsible corporate activities by matching investments with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Since businesses with good ESG standards are typically more robust, investors in sustainable funds may benefit from possible long-term financial performance. It allows investors to back causes essential to them, improving the social and environmental effects. It also represents an increasing understanding of the relationship between general societal well-being and financial success. 

    Read the Latest Market Journal

    Recognising Biases in Investing and Tips to Avoid Them

    Published on Sep 4, 2025 152 

    Common biases like overconfidence, herd mentality, and loss aversion influence both risk assessment and decision-making....

    What is Money Dysmorphia and How to Overcome it?

    Published on Sep 4, 2025 76 

    Money dysmorphia happens when the way you feel about your finances doesn’t match the reality...

    The Employer’s Guide to Domestic Helper Insurance

    Published on Sep 2, 2025 79 

    Domestic Helper insurance may appear to be just another compliance task for employers in Singapore,...

    One Stock, Many Prices: Understanding US Markets

    Published on Aug 26, 2025 283 

    Why Isn’t My Order Filled at the Price I See? Have you ever set a...

    Why Every Investor Should Understand Put Selling

    Published on Aug 26, 2025 118 

    Introduction Options trading can seem complicated at first, but it offers investors flexible strategies to...

    Mastering Stop-Loss Placement: A Guide to Profitability in Forex Trading

    Published on Aug 19, 2025 130 

    Effective stop-loss placement is a cornerstone of prudent risk management in forex trading. It’s not...

    Boosting ETF Portfolio Efficiency: Reducing Tax Leakage Through Smarter ETF Selection

    Published on Aug 15, 2025 208 

    Introduction: Why Tax Efficiency Matters in Global ETF Investing Diversification is the foundation of a...

    How to Build a Diversified Global ETF Portfolio

    Published on Aug 15, 2025 117 

    Introduction: Why Diversification Is Essential in 2025 In our June edition article (https://www.poems.com.sg/market-journal/the-complete-etf-playbook-for-singapore-investors-from-beginner-to-advanced-strategies/), we introduced...

    Contact us to Open an Account

    Need Assistance? Share your Details and we’ll get back to you

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    This material is provided by Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (“PCM”) for general information only and does not constitute a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to invest in any of the exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) or the unit trust (“Products”) mentioned herein. It does not have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation and any of your particular needs. You should read the Prospectus and the accompanying Product Highlights Sheet (“PHS”) for key features, key risks and other important information of the Products and obtain advice from a financial adviser (“FA“) pursuant to a separate engagement before making a commitment to invest in the Products. In the event that you choose not to obtain advice from a FA, you should assess whether the Products are suitable for you before proceeding to invest. A copy of the Prospectus and PHS are available from PCM, any of its Participating Dealers (“PDs“) for the ETF, or any of its authorised distributors for the unit trust managed by PCM.  

    An ETF is not like a typical unit trust as the units of the ETF (the “Units“) are to be listed and traded like any share on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Listing on the SGX-ST does not guarantee a liquid market for the Units which may be traded at prices above or below its NAV or may be suspended or delisted. Investors may buy or sell the Units on SGX-ST when it is listed. Investors cannot create or redeem Units directly with PCM and have no rights to request PCM to redeem or purchase their Units. Creation and redemption of Units are through PDs if investors are clients of the PDs, who have no obligation to agree to create or redeem Units on behalf of any investor and may impose terms and conditions in connection with such creation or redemption orders. Please refer to the Prospectus of the ETF for more details.  

    Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The purchase of a unit in a fund is not the same as placing your money on deposit with a bank or deposit-taking company. There is no guarantee as to the amount of capital invested or return received. The value of the units and the income accruing to the units may fall or rise. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance of the Products. There can be no assurance that investment objectives will be achieved.  

    Where applicable, fund(s) may invest in financial derivatives and/or participate in securities lending and repurchase transactions for the purpose of hedging and/or efficient portfolio management, subject to the relevant regulatory requirements. PCM reserves the discretion to determine if currency exposure should be hedged actively, passively or not at all, in the best interest of the Products.  

    The regular dividend distributions, out of either income and/or capital, are not guaranteed and subject to PCM’s discretion. Past payout yields and payments do not represent future payout yields and payments. Such dividend distributions will reduce the available capital for reinvestment and may result in an immediate decrease in the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Products. Please refer to <www.phillipfunds.com> for more information in relation to the dividend distributions.  

    The information provided herein may be obtained or compiled from public and/or third party sources that PCM has no reason to believe are unreliable. Any opinion or view herein is an expression of belief of the individual author or the indicated source (as applicable) only. PCM makes no representation or warranty that such information is accurate, complete, verified or should be relied upon as such. The information does not constitute, and should not be used as a substitute for tax, legal or investment advice.  

    The information herein are not for any person in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or availability for use would contravene any applicable law or regulation or would subject PCM to any registration or licensing requirement in such jurisdiction or country. The Products is not offered to U.S. Persons. PhillipCapital Group of Companies, including PCM, their affiliates and/or their officers, directors and/or employees may own or have positions in the Products. Any member of the PhillipCapital Group of Companies may have acted upon or used the information, analyses and opinions herein before they have been published. 

    This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.  

     

    Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (Co. Reg. No. 199905233W)  
    250 North Bridge Road #06-00, Raffles City Tower ,Singapore 179101 
    Tel: (65) 6230 8133 Fax: (65) 65383066 www.phillipfunds.com