2 minute read
Editorial: The good issue
from ASSET 4 - 2021
by ASSET
The good issue
This issue has a theme around good things. In it we revisit the winners of the Mindful Money Ethical Investment Awards.
Also, in this issue we take a look at what we colloquially call “giving”, or philantrophy.
Having a look at ethical investing is timely as the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) is taking place in Glasgow when you read this.
I have for many years been interested in the area of ethical and responsible investing. It is something that is only just coming of age, but I recall attending Responsible Investing conferences in Australia 20 years ago. Now it has become mainstream. I find it interesting today how many KiwiSaver managers are promoting their schemes to the public based on their RI credentials.
The next step in this journey is to make sure that managers really are living up to their advertising.
On this front there are a number of good developments. The FMA has said it is watching carefully for any “greenwashing.”
While the FMA has been criticised for being soft on enforcement it seems that there has been a change in attitude and the regulator is being far more proactive. This is something you will hear more about in ASSET and Good Returns when we cover the departure of chief executive Rob Everret.
Another good development is that that specialist RI manager Pathfinder has produced a Sustainability Report.
It discloses, in depth how they invest ethically and responsibly.
It is all good for managers to make promises of no fossil fuels, renewable energy investment and emission reductions, but they need to be matched with easy-to-understand reporting.
We have all seen on the news clear evidence of how the climate is changing and the damage this is causing.
It may seem far away from us sitting in our little paradise at the bottom of the world, but how we invest can make change.
Indeed, money is critical in driving change and in many countries around the world, we are seeing finance and investment beginning to play a crucial role in the shift to a more sustainable economy.
Responsible investing is a major theme and one where you will see ASSET and Good Returns doing more work to help advisers.
And finally we hope you are all doing well in these rather unusual times. To those in Level Three areas, Kia Kaha.
