The Environmental and Social Themed Investing (E&S) Work Stream covers investments in areas such as clean technology (including renewable energy, waste and water management, sustainable forestry and agriculture), inclusive finance and products and services to support global health. In short, the work stream covers investments that can generate positive environmental and social impacts while producing attractive financial returns. Recognising global mega trends, such as climate change and loss of biodiversity, and proactively seeking investment opportunities which offer solutions to these issues can be part of responsible investment practice.
About the work stream
The aim of the work stream is to explore how environmental and social themed investments can form part of a well-performing portfolio, their wider connection to a sustainable global financial system and how they can benefit the environment and the society as a whole. To deliver this goal, the work stream supports signatories to explore investment opportunities that deliver positive environmental and social impact within a fiduciary and market-return context.
For additional information regarding the PRI Initiative’s work in inclusive finance, please visit the Principles for Investors in Inclusive Finance page. For more information on activities within the PIIF, please visit Inclusive Finance.
Get involved
Asset owner working group
In 2013, the PRI will run several forums for asset owners to discuss several cross-cutting issues arising in such investments, such as the compatibility of E&S themed investments with investors’ fiduciary duty and measuring and reporting on social and environmental performance of investments. For more information or to join the working group, please click here.
Resources listed may require PRI signatory extranet access.
Publications
- Environmental and social themed investing (October 2012)
- Investing in the sustainable economy (June 2012)
Fact sheets
- Thematic bonds – definition and examples of bonds issued (August 2011)
Case studies
The following case studies provide examples of how indicators can be used to capture social and environmental impact:
- Sarona Asset Management (November 2011)
- responsAbility (September 2011)
- Earth Capital Partners (September 2009)
Webinars
- Green bonds – a viable alternative for fixed income investors? (August 2011)
- Roundtable discussion on Impact investing (May 2011)
- How to make responsible investments in microfinance (July 2010)
Previous PRI in Person sessions
- Can investors contribute to social and environmental progress without sacrificing financial returns? (September 2011)
- Environmental investment opportunities (October 2010)
- How can institutional investors ensure financial as well as ESG performance of microfinance funds? (October 2010)
- Investing for impact: are ‘ESG Alternatives’ the next big opportunity? (July 2009)
