One of the most persistent complaints of investors about ESG investing is the lack of universal standards and ratings. Depending on the rating provider a company may be ranked as highly sustainable or very unsustainable depending on the methodology of the rating provider and what areas of ESG the provider emphasises.
Very topical article, as always. ESG investing is complicated matter, and even if we had some universal standards and ratings I agree with Warren Buffett on this when he said that "it is wrong for companies to impose their views on doing good on society. What made them think they knew better?" Besides, it should be matter for governments and not for private companies, whose primary responsibility should be to maximize the shareholder value. Moreover, aren't we running the risk of serious misallocation of private capital due to the push for ESG investing by various activist groups?
GASP!! What a brilliant acronym (double entendre etc.)
Very topical article, as always. ESG investing is complicated matter, and even if we had some universal standards and ratings I agree with Warren Buffett on this when he said that "it is wrong for companies to impose their views on doing good on society. What made them think they knew better?" Besides, it should be matter for governments and not for private companies, whose primary responsibility should be to maximize the shareholder value. Moreover, aren't we running the risk of serious misallocation of private capital due to the push for ESG investing by various activist groups?