What is socially responsible investing? - Dutch Yard

We’ve all heard the adage that it’s not just about making money, but also doing something good with your wealth. But when it comes to investing, how can we do something good and make a profit at the same time? Enter socially responsible investing (SRI). SRI is an investment strategy that seeks to generate financial returns and promote environmental and social good. It looks at both the financial performance and social/environmental impact of investments. In this blog post, we will explore what socially responsible investing is, as well as how you can use it in your own portfolio.

What is socially responsible investing?

There are many different interpretations of what constitutes socially responsible investing (SRI), but at its core, SRI is an investment strategy that takes into account both financial return and social/environmental good. In other words, it’s not just about making money – it’s also about making a positive impact on people and the planet.

There are a few key tenets that are typically associated with SRI:

Investment in companies that have a positive social and/or environmental impact

Avoidance of investments in companies that have negative social and/or environmental impacts

Active engagement with portfolio companies to encourage them to adopt more sustainable business practices

Allocation of assets in line with personal values

Many investors are interested in SRI because they want to feel good about where their money is going. They want to know that their investments are aligned with their personal values, and that they are supporting companies that are doing good in the world. Others may be interested in SRI for purely financial reasons – studies have shown that sustainable businesses tend to outperform their less sustainable counterparts over the long term. Regardless of the motivation, SRI is an investment strategy worth considering for all investors.

The different types of socially responsible investing

There are four main types of socially responsible investing: negative screening, positive screening, impact investing, and shareholder advocacy.

Negative screening involves avoiding investments in companies that profit from activities that the investor deems to be unethical, such as tobacco, gambling, or arms manufacturing.

Positive screening involves investing in companies that are engaged in environmentally and socially beneficial activities, such as renewable energy or fair trade practices.

Impact investing is a type of socially responsible investing that seeks to generate both financial return and positive social or environmental impact. For example, an impact investor might invest in a company that provides microloans to entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Shareholder advocacy is when investors use their ownership stake in a company to influence corporate behavior on social or environmental issues. For example, shareholders might pressure a company to adopt more sustainable business practices or increase its diversity.

The pros and cons of socially responsible investing

There are a number of pros and cons to socially responsible investing (SRI). On the plus side, SRI can help investors align their values with their investment choices. Additionally, SRI has the potential to generate both financial returns and social impact. However, there are also some drawbacks to SRI. For example, SRI portfolios may underperform in comparison to traditional portfolios during periods of market turbulence. Additionally, SRI can be more expensive than traditional investing due to higher fees associated with screening for social and environmental criteria.

How to get started with socially responsible investing

If you’re looking to get started with socially responsible investing (SRI), there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, determine what your goals are for SRI. Are you looking to invest in companies that support social or environmental causes? Or are you hoping to avoid investments in certain sectors, such as tobacco or weapons?

Once you know what kind of investments you’re interested in, research the various options available to you. There are many different types of SRI funds, so it’s important to find one that aligns with your goals and values.

Finally, don’t forget to monitor your investments over time. The social and environmental landscape is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments. By doing so, you can be sure that your investments are still aligned with your original goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, socially responsible investing is a great way to ensure that your investments align with your personal values and beliefs. You can use it to help combat climate change, support animal rights, or simply invest in companies that adhere to the highest ethical standards. It can also be a great way to make sure that you are making an impact on the world while still achieving financial success. With so many options available for socially responsible investing, there is no reason not to get started today!