Sustainable investing becoming market standard, FTSE Russell says

Most asset owners are building sustainable investing into their portfolios, according to FTSE Russell's annual survey published Thursday.

The survey report, Sustainable Investment: 2021 global survey findings from asset owners, found that 84% of asset owners are either implementing or evaluating sustainability into their portfolios, compared to 53% in the 2018 survey. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, sustainable investment grew to 97% from 72% in 2018, while in North America it went to 68% from 39% in 2018.

For two-thirds of respondents, mitigating long-term investment risk was a key factor.

Climate and carbon are the leading priorities for 67% of respondents, while social issues are the priority for U.S. asset owners. Some 60% of global asset owners said social themes are a sustainability focus.

Jaakko Kooroshy, global head of sustainable investment research for FTSE Russell, said in the news release that this year's survey goes deeper into sustainable investment, which is no longer a trend but the market standard.

FTSE Russell surveyed 179 global asset owners, including 40% from North America, 36% from EMEA and 19% from Asia-Pacific.