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Earth Day is around the corner and more Canadians are considering how their investments are making a difference with causes they care about like environmental and social impact. Sustainable investing, also known as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, focuses on supporting investments that prioritize these factors.
Interest for responsible investing is growing amongst Canadian investors and expected to keep going up. The Canada ESG investing market generated a revenue of USD 1,898.2 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 5,554.7 million by 2030 [1].
How do you identify a sustainable investment?
Greenwashing is when a company exaggerates their sustainability efforts. There are ways to differentiate actual sustainable investments from investments that just call themselves “green” or “ethical” without really backing it up. Questions you should ask are:
Does the company have clear ESG reporting?
Look for a company’s transparency around things like carbon emissions, diversity, or board accountability.
Is the fund or platform third-party certified or rated?
These organizations typically assess publicly traded companies and large investment funds. Many funds are rated by reputable third parties like:
- MSCI ESG Ratings: www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-ratings
- Morningstar Sustainalytics: www.sustainalytics.com/esg-ratings
Are the values aligned with yours?
Making an impact through your investments isn’t a one size fits all. Some investors prioritize causes like climate change, human rights, or equality. It’s important to find investments that align with your values.
Where peer-to-peer lending fits in
Sustainable investing isn’t just about environmental causes, sustainability can also be about community impact. That’s where platforms like goPeer come in. With goPeer, you’re investing in real people, not corporations. Your investments help everyday Canadians gain access to financial wellness. This supports a circular economy where your money works for both you and others.
Final Thoughts
Sustainable investing shouldn’t be viewed as just a trend but a shift in your mindset. Whether you’re looking to reduce your environmental footprint or support local communities and economies, your investment can serve you two ways: earn possible income and be a part of solutions to causes you care about.
Start small and do your research and really figure out the causes that are dear to you.
Sources:
1: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/esg-investing-market/canada
