Are Investors Abandoning Sustainable Funds?
The recent European Union (EU) parliamentary elections have sent shockwaves through the world of sustainable investing.
With a significant shift towards right-wing and nationalist parties, the future of the EU’s ambitious environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda has been called into question.
The EU parliamentary elections saw a marked increase in support for right-wing and Eurosceptic parties, with notable gains in countries like Germany, France, and Italy. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, for instance, recorded its best-ever results, while Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National (RN) party emerged as the single largest delegation in the new European Parliament.
The rise of populist and nationalist parties has brought with it a renewed scepticism towards the EU’s ambitious climate agenda. These parties have been vocal in their criticism of policies such as the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, which they view as an ideological “folly” that must be corrected.
The political pressure to water down or delay such measures is expected to intensify, as these parties seek to appease their constituencies and address their concerns about the economic impact of environmental regulations.
The numbers paint a stark picture – in the first four months of 2023, a staggering $40 billion has been withdrawn from ESG-focused equity funds globally.
This reversal of fortune marks a significant departure from the sector’s meteoric rise in recent years, when investors flocked to these funds in search of both financial returns and a sense of social and environmental responsibility.
One of the primary drivers of this outflow has been the underperformance of ESG funds compared to their traditional counterparts. Over the past 12 months, global sustainable equity funds have delivered a mere 11% return, lagging behind the 21% gain of conventional stock funds.
This performance gap has shaken investor confidence, leading many to question the viability of the ESG investment thesis.
The ESG movement has also found itself embroiled in a heated political debate, particularly in the United States.
Republican lawmakers have taken aim at the perceived “radical partisan activism” of ESG investing, with some going so far as to launch investigations into asset managers like BlackRock and State Street.
This politicization of the sector has created a chilling effect, as investors grow wary of the potential regulatory risks and reputational damage associated with ESG-focused investments.
Adding to the sector’s woes are the scandals and allegations of greenwashing that have plagued the industry. The settlement between the US Securities and Exchange Commission and German asset manager DWS, which was accused of making “materially misleading statements” about its ESG investment practices, has further eroded investor trust in the credibility of sustainable investing.
The exodus from ESG funds has not been uniform across all asset classes and regions. While equity funds have borne the brunt of the outflows, the fixed-income space has remained relatively resilient, with ESG bond funds enjoying 13 consecutive months of inflows.
The pullback from ESG has been particularly pronounced in the US, where the political rhetoric has been the most heated. In contrast, Europe, the traditional stronghold of sustainable investing, has seen more muted outflows, suggesting that the regional dynamics play a significant role in shaping investor sentiment.
The shift in investor priorities has also been a contributing factor to the ESG exodus. As the cost-of-living crisis and inflationary pressures have taken center stage, some investors have become more focused on immediate financial concerns, rather than long-term sustainability goals.
Despite the current challenges, the underlying principles of ESG investing are unlikely to disappear entirely. As the sector navigates this period of turmoil, several trends are emerging that may shape the future of sustainable finance.
One key development is the gradual move away from the term “ESG” itself, as it has become increasingly politicized and “weaponized.” Industry leaders, such as BlackRock’s Larry Fink, have acknowledged the need to reframe the conversation, focusing more on the underlying environmental and social risks that investors seek to understand and manage.
As the market matures, there is a growing emphasis on the materiality of ESG factors – that is, the extent to which these considerations are truly relevant to a company’s financial performance and long-term viability. This shift towards a more rigorous and data-driven approach to sustainable investing may help restore investor confidence and differentiate genuine ESG strategies from superficial “greenwashing.”
The regulatory environment surrounding ESG investing is also in flux, with policymakers grappling with the need to provide clearer guidelines and definitions. As these frameworks take shape, they may help to address the concerns around transparency and accountability that have contributed to the current backlash.
Investors seeking to maintain their commitment to sustainability may turn to more tailored and diversified approaches, such as separately managed accounts or bespoke portfolio construction. This shift could allow for greater flexibility and customization, catering to the unique needs and priorities of individual investors and institutions.
As the investment community navigates this period of transition, treasury teams and corporate decision-makers must carefully consider the evolving role of ESG in their strategies. Here are some key considerations:
Treasury teams should re-evaluate their approach to ESG, ensuring that it is firmly grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the material risks and opportunities facing their organization. This may involve a deeper dive into sector-specific ESG factors, as well as a closer examination of supply chain and operational vulnerabilities.
Transparent and consistent ESG reporting will be crucial in building investor trust and demonstrating the tangible value of sustainable practices. Treasury teams should work closely with their sustainability and communications counterparts to enhance the quality and accessibility of ESG-related disclosures.
The ESG landscape is rapidly evolving, and treasury teams must be prepared to adapt their strategies accordingly. This may involve exploring alternative investment vehicles, collaborating with industry peers, and staying abreast of regulatory developments that could impact their ESG approach.