COVID-19 pandemic pushes ESG investing firmly on the agenda

COVID-19 pandemic pushes ESG investing firmly on the agenda

ESG has amplified risk management as the result of the pandemicDevelopment of product innovation and financial solutions has accelerated over the past yearDubai, United Arab Emirates: The COVID-19 pandemic has given new meaning to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors prompted by the societal pressure on climate change and social equality. Consumers are more aware of ESG factors than ever before and are now actively researching products before purchasing or investing.Maria Lombardo, Head of ESG Client Strategies for EMEA, Invesco, said: “The pandemic has been a catalyst for the wider consideration of sustainability strategies, frameworks and systems that can help withstand inevitable future shocks.  Specifically in investment, COVID-19 has been a wake-up call for a lot of people who were maybe on the fence. Across industries we have since seen an uptick in announcements of sustainable and resilient business models, while the decent performance for ESG-focused funds during this period of market volatility increased interest of investors, even those previously shy from looking for ESG investment opportunities.”The acceleration of the investment in sustainable finance has provided a clearer understanding of a new phase of ESG investing in the post-COVID-19 world.  As investors analyze the resiliency of their investments in