For many investors, the promise of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing has been elusive. The confusion around what "ESG Investing" actually entails has left many disillusioned with their portfolios. So, what exactly is ESG investing? Is it the same as ethical, responsible, or green investing? The straightforward answer is "no." Unfortunately, many in the industry, as well as academics and investors, use these terms interchangeably, but they are, depending on your perspective, very different concepts.

For retail investors, these terms often merge into the idea of a "good" portfolio that avoids companies that "do bad things." However, the definition of "bad things" varies from investor to investor. Does it include just landmines and tobacco, or does it extend to broader "sin stocks" like gambling, pornography, and alcohol? Is coal mining bad, or is all mining bad? What about coal-powered electricity generation or uranium? Does an exclusion on tobacco include the company making the packaging for cigarettes or the supermarket selling them?

These considerations usually fall within a portfolio's list of exclusions—what is prohibited from the portfolio. There are more complex considerations like materiality levels and supply chains, but the core of investor expectations is generally what they don't want to see in their investment portfolios. Given issues with data quality and transparency from companies, specificity around materiality levels, and details around supply chains, many investment managers find making "hard exclusions" a risky business proposition.

While some products, usually (but not always) described as ethical, contain these exclusions, this is not what the bulk of institutional investors consider to be "ESG integration." Following the establishment and global adoption of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), the definition of responsible investing and ESG investment has taken a significant turn. The UNPRI effectively defines the integration of ESG factors into investment decisions as the key defining action of Responsible Investment. Principal 1 states, "We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes." This doesn't specify how to incorporate these issues, nor does it require that investors take any specific action with respect to them. Given this, investment managers are open to "incorporate ESG" in any manner that suits their investment process.

It is crucial for both advisers and investors to recognize these differences, as failing to do so not only muddies the discourse around sustainable finance but can also lead to ineffective investment strategies.

To help investors more easily allocate capital to support their views here is some Responsible Investment (RI) styles: Ethical, ESG Integration, Sustainability, and Impact. While managers may have a primary RI style and integrate ESG into their investment process, it is the RI style that should be used to determine the primary focus of the strategy.

Ethical Investing is a values-driven approach where investors choose companies based on their personal moral compass. This may include avoiding industries like tobacco, alcohol, or weapons, regardless of the company’s financial performance or environmental footprint. It’s highly subjective, and what is ethical to one person may not be to another. Ethical investors tend to focus on alignment with their beliefs rather than a specific framework

ESG Investing takes a more systematic approach, integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance factors into investment decisions in various ways. Investors can incorporate ESG factors to different degrees, from simply screening out companies with poor ESG performance to actively selecting those excelling in sustainability or governance. Some investors may focus on specific issues, such as gender equality or reducing carbon emissions, while others look for companies that balance strong ESG practices with solid financial returns. The most prevalent approach is where investors consider ESG risks alongside all risks and ensure that the expected return from the stock or bond adequately compensates for this risk. There are also strategies that prioritize shareholder engagement, using the power of ownership to push companies toward better ESG performance. Whether through exclusionary screens, positive selection, or active engagement, ESG investing offers a flexible framework that allows investors to address a broad range of concerns while still aiming for long-term positive financial performance. ESG investing aims to balance financial return with mitigating risks related to sustainability and corporate governance, often serving as a benchmark for responsible capitalism.

Green Investing is laser-focused on environmental impact. Investors in this space prioritize companies that are leaders in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, or carbon reduction. While green investing is a subset of ESG, it doesn’t account for the broader social or governance aspects. For example, a company may be a leader in reducing emissions but fail miserably on labor practices or board diversity.

When these approaches are confused, it dilutes the progress each seeks to make, and it is vital that financial advisers and their clients understand these distinctions. Ethical investing is about aligning investments with personal values, ESG is about evaluating comprehensive risk, and green investing is purely environmentally focused. Clarifying these definitions empowers investors to make better choices, driving real change in their areas of interest.