Date: 2024-05-15 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00005979
ACADEMIC INITIATIVES
SUSTAINABILITY
Cambridge University project to ‘put the value of sustainable investment beyond doubt’
SUSTAINABILITY
Cambridge University project to ‘put the value of sustainable investment beyond doubt’
Cambridge University, Sidney Sussex College, Hall Court
Original article: http://blueandgreentomorrow.com/2013/10/09/cambridge-university-project-to-put-the-value-of-sustainable-investment-beyond-doubt/
Peter Burgess COMMENTARY
This review and update is about 10 years after the information was first obtained. In this ten years there has been a lot of 'activity' but in truth not much 'progress'.
When I was active as a corporate 'manager', I was on the war-path to make management 'effective'. My definition of 'effective' was all to do with 'moving the needle' to reflect true 'progress' as fast as possible and with the minimum use of scarce resources.
People can be very creative. This can be very positive when they know they are being watched and they know that their reward is going to be determined by real progress and performance. This creativity can also be very creative when people know that there is no effective oversight ... and this is now happening at scale with corporate 'green-washing'.
I don't get the impression that there is much 'valuable' progress ... rather there is a lot of analysis and rather little implementation of initiatives that actually 'move the needle'.
Over and over again, I am seeing situations where there is a substantial level of activity but little or no 'effectiveness' and 'moving the needle'. Frankly, I would have thought that by now the academic community would have become concerned about the rapidly approaching existential crisis of climate change ... but it appears that those who work in the 'ivory towers' seem to consider themselves immune and 'above the fray!.
This has to change and the sooner the better!!!!!!!
Peter Burgess
Written by Charlotte Malone
Wednesday, October 9th, 2013
The University of Cambridge has announced it is to join forces with leading asset managers and owners to advance the value of sustainable investing, ahead of National Ethical Investment Week (NEIW). The three-year project is designed to promote understanding of how managing environmental and social factors can improve positive long-term returns.
Along with the Investment Leaders Group’s (ILG) 12 members, the university will explore the degree to which economic, social and environmental factors can influence long-term value creation. The project will also look at fundamental issues and barriers to increasing environmental and social factors in investment.
Carlos Joly, a fellow of the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership (CPSL), said,
“Pursuing environmental and social goods does not have to preclude robust returns on investments. On the contrary, we can create a virtuous circle, whereby considering environmental and social factors in investment decisions can drive both economic prosperity and societal wellbeing.The ILG group will identify and test new investment practices. They will use evidence review, model development, empirical testing, engagement and thought leadership reports.
“That is the only secure basis on which business and long-term investment can flourish.”
Meanwhile, Jake Reynolds, who leads the Cambridge team behind the project, said, “The calibre of the participants in the ILG and its collective ambition are both very high, which tells you something about the importance of this topic.
“By starting with the fundamentals, from the ground up, we have an opportunity to put the value of sustainable investment beyond doubt.”
NEIW begins on October 13 and will continue for seven days with numerous events being held around the country. NEIW brings together advisers, financial organisation, NGOs, community groups, charities and churches in a bid to ensure that everyone knows they have sustainable and ethical options when it comes to finance and investment decisions.