Responsible Investing Study

About

This research explores the challenges and successes of advisors and investors in making responsible investments. Unlike conventional investments that focus on financial returns and risks, responsible investing helps investors earn financial returns while accounting for social and environmental issues. In particular, we are focused on understanding: 1) if and how financial advisors adopt responsible investing related business practices; 2) the challenges financial advisors face in engaging retail clients with responsible investing; and 3) the journey that responsible investing investors undertake in their efforts to obtain applicable financial advice. Ultimately we are interested in understanding if and how the retail market for SRI is being created.

This study uses in-depth semi-structured interviews with financial advisors, investors, and members of financial intermediaries. In addition, to interview data, we will gather archival data including news articles, press releases, and related reports. We will gather additional materials such as meeting minutes, internal memos, and other documentation revealed by respondents. These data will inform our understanding of financial advisors, investors, and other responsible investing related stakeholders.

This work draws on research supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

Letter of Information

Responsible Investing – Letter of Information – Investors

Outcomes

This is an ongoing study. Interim study results are available below.

Responsible Investing Study Interim Results

Knowledge Webinar – Responsible Investing and Aligning Your Money With Your Values
Responsible Investing in the Retail Advisory Channel
Final Report – Responsible Investing in the Retail Advisory Channel

Future reports, conference submissions, professional development workshops, and other published work will be posted here throughout the study and upon its completion. 

Resources

  1. The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) of Canada
  2. Does Socially Responsible Investing Hurt Investment Returns?  RBC Global Asset Management
  3. Future of Sustainability in Investment Management: From Ideas to Reality – CFA Institute
  4. Five Ways that ESG Creates Value – McKinsey Quarterly
  5. A Primer for Environmental & Social Disclosure. TMX and CPA Canada. August 2020.
  6. Op-Ed BlackRock hired me to make sustainable investing mainstream. Now I realize it’s a deadly distraction from the climate-change threat