Top 10: Ethical Investment Companies

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Top 10 Ethical Investment Companies
The top companies prioritising ethical investments such as green energy & circularity projects include Vanguard, BlackRock & Global State Street Advisors

In 2023, ESG-focused funds attracted US$234bn globally, proving that sustainability pays.

Ethical investments include renewable energy projects, green bonds, sustainable agriculture, clean technology, affordable housing initiatives, healthcare and biotechnology, education technology, microfinance institutions, sustainable forestry, water conservation and treatment, plant-based food companies and circular economy initiatives.

As financial institutions increasingly turn their attention to sustainability strategies and environmentally-focused partnerships, we highlight 10 companies putting their money where their mouth is.

10. Invesco

  • Assets under management: US$1.57tn (2024)
  • Employees: 8,500
  • CEO: Andrew Schlossberg
  • Founded: 1935
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Headquartered in Georgia, US, Invesco has been associated with responsible investing for more than 30 years.  

The company offers a wide range of ESG ETFs and active funds as well as having a dedicated global ESG team. 

Andrew Schlossberg, President and CEO at Invesco, says: “I feel energised and optimistic about the road ahead as we continue to deliver high quality investment strategies to a diverse range of clients around the world.”

9. Legal & General

  • Assets under management: US$1.5tn (2023)
  • Employees: 12,000
  • CEO: António Simões
  • Founded: 1836
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Legal & General’s investment management business considers ESG issues as part of its decision-making process for directly managed funds. The company’s Climate Impact Pledge encourages companies to reduce climate change risks and transition to a net zero economy. 

Legal & General Investment Management’s Head of Responsible Investment and ESG, Shuen Chan, has more than 25 years of experience leading in sustainable finance and is part of foundations including the Better Buildings Partnership and CFA Institute.

8. Amundi

  • Assets under management: US$2.3tn (2024)
  • Employees: 5,500
  • CEO: Valérie Baudson
  • Founded: 2010
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Responsible investment was one of Amundi’s four founding pillars and remains a cornerstone of its development. The company says it is in the top three worldwide for environmental and social voting.

Valérie Baudson, CEO at Amundi, explains: “As asset managers we must challenge short-term views, continue to create investment solutions to decarbonise the economy, to educate investors and to discuss with companies to make sure they engage in the transition.”

7. Goldman Sachs

  • Assets under management: US$2.81tn (2023)
  • Employees: 45,300
  • CEO: David Solomon
  • Founded: 1869
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Goldman Sachs’ values of partnership, integrity, excellence and client service inform its day-to-day decision making. It has committed US$750bn to support demand for sustainable finance solutions across its work including investing. 

David Solomon, CEO at Goldman Sachs, says: “We have long been committed to addressing critical environmental issues, beginning in 2005 with our inaugural Environmental Policy Framework where we were one of the first financial institutions to recognise the scale and urgency of the challenges posed by climate change.”

6. BNY

  • Assets under management: US$2tn (2024)
  • Employees: 53,400
  • CEO: Robin Vince
  • Founded: 2007
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In 2023, BNY invested US$10m in diverse-owned investment firms that serve low-to-moderate income areas as part of its strategy to invest for resilient communities. The company’s BNY Mellon Women’s Opportunities ETF (BKWO) considers companies whose corporate culture embodies gender-equitable practices and supports women. 

Meaghan Muldoon, Chief Sustainability Officer at BNY, says: “We build solutions to help our clients navigate through complexity and work to enable a more inclusive, resilient and trusted financial system.”

5. J.P. Morgan

  • Assets under management: US$2.9tn (2023)
  • Employees: 240,000
  • CEO: Jamie Dimon
  • Founded: 1871
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 J.P. Morgan has a dedicated sustainable investing team and offers a range of sustainable investments. The company aims to finance and facilitate more than US$2.5tn to help advance climate solutions and contribute to sustainable development by 2033.

“In good and tough times, we remain committed to helping make opportunities happen and foster sustainable, inclusive economic growth — which is good for those we serve,” says Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO at JPMorgan Chase.

4. Fidelity Investments

  • Assets under management: US$4.9tn (2023)
  • Employees: 75,000
  • CEO: Abigail Johnson
  • Founded: 1946
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Fidelity is known for having an active management approach to investing. Its active sustainable funds prioritise ESG factors in fundamental research and investment disciplines. 

Pam Holding, Co-Head of Equity and Head of Sustainable Investing at Fidelity, says: “Our sustainable investment research prioritises the same intellectual rigour and proprietary analysis that shape all our active management capabilities. 

“We believe that consideration of sustainability risks and opportunities is an essential component of a world-class fundamental research process.”

3. State Street Global Advisors

  • Assets under management: US$4.1tn (2023)
  • Employees: 2,300
  • CEO: Yie-Hsin Hung
  • Founded: 1978
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State Street Global Advisors has an extensive sustainable investing track record. The company’s Asset Stewardship programme aims to promote effective board oversight, disclosures and shareholder protection through engaging with companies and voting at shareholder meetings.  

State Street Global Advisors’ sustainability goals include a US$750bn sustainable finance commitment by 2030 as part of its ongoing commitment to ESG integration in investing.

2. Vanguard

  • Assets under management: US$9.3tn (2024)
  • Employees: 20,000
  • CEO: Salim Ramji
  • Founded: 1975
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Vanguard, one of the world’s largest asset managers, is positioned to play a key role in financing the shift towards a more sustainable economy.

The company provides a variety of products that offer distinct ESG approaches, tailored to meet individual client needs. Instead of adopting a uniform approach, Vanguard offers a range of solutions that address varying preferences.

Its ESG index products aim to minimise or eliminate exposure to certain ESG risks, including industries such as fossil fuels, firearms and tobacco.

In its active ESG funds, Vanguard allocates capital to companies that demonstrate leadership or improvement in ESG practices, helping investors achieve specific ESG-related goals.

Vanguard also engages directly with the companies in which it invests, focusing on how these firms manage material risks. Its Investment Stewardship Team actively engages with these companies to address such risks effectively.

1. BlackRock

  • Assets under management: US$10tn (2023)
  • Employees: 16,000
  • CEO: Larry Fink
  • Founded: 1988
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BlackRock, the world’s largest investment manager, is positioning itself as a leader in integrating ESG considerations into its investment strategies. It has forecast that, by 2030, at least 75% of its investments will be directed towards businesses with science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Nate Hurst, Chief Sustainability and Social Impact Officer, Managing Director of BlackRock Foundation, says: “The ‘E’ and ‘S’ of ESG are two sides of the same coin. We can’t talk about climate change and the energy transition without recognising their impacts on people and communities.

"That’s why I’m excited to have expert minds across sustainability and social impact sitting around the same table and tackling these complex issues together. Working at a place and with people that rally around the same call to action makes it easy to walk in lockstep towards its reality.”


To read the full story in the magazine please click HERE.

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