Whether your investment portfolio consists of equities or bonds, you would have probably started out on your investment journey with one clear mandate: Make your money work for you. But there's been an added dimension to this equation: What impact does the company you're investing in have on people and the planet?
This has become especially apparent in the corporate world, where ESG (Environment, Social and Governance)-linked investments have been gaining momentum. These include stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, and managed portfolios.
Samantha Horton, chief business officer of investment platform Syfe, notes that since the company launched the ESG and Clean Energy thematic portfolio in 2021, it has seen a growing interest from investors.
She says: "In 2021, Syfe introduced a suite of thematic portfolios designed for investors to tap into the opportunities presented by megatrends or long-term structural shifts. To date, the total number of 'ESG and Clean Energy' portfolios forms over 40 per cent of the total portfolios created across Syfe's five thematic portfolios. In fact, it is almost double our next popular theme of disruptive technology. This shows the significant demand and growth for sustainability-related investments. 'ESG and Clean Energy' is also the most popular theme for women, with 42 per cent of women who invest in thematic portfolios selecting our ESG portfolio."
Previously, we examined the social and governance aspects of the ESG equation in the first of this two-part series, and explained how investors such as you and I can vote with our wallets to influence how companies are building equitable, diverse and inclusive ecosystems.
Here in the second part, we explore how ESG investing can help the environment.
ESG AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR CHANGE
Bu hikaye Her World Singapore dergisinin January 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Her World Singapore dergisinin January 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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TREASURE ISLAND
When plans to demolish the Merlion Tower on Sentosa were announced in 2019, some Singaporeans were sad to see one of the island's most iconic attractions go. After all, the quirky creature – with the head of a lion and the body of a fish – had been a significant part of their memories of Sentosa.The 37m-tall, 12-storey structure, completed in 1996 and designed by Australian sculptor James Martin, was a focal point for laser light shows and projections that transformed its ivory facade into a vibrant display of colours.The Merlion Tower was a popular attraction for families. Singaporean couple Anand and Vrunda Patel would often take their children there for outings. Vrunda, now 50, fondly recalls climbing the structure and admiring the views of Sentosa from the Merlion's mouth. “Outside the Merlion, there was a beautiful step garden with flowing water. I used to love walking there,” she shares.Years later, the statue, covered in dirt and grime, required a refresh. The demolition was not only part of a larger vision to connect Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in the north to the three beaches (Palawan, Tanjong and Siloso) on the island's south, it was also the start of a massive rebranding project to transform Sentosa from a recreational family destination to a premier lifestyle attraction.Today, Sentosa Sensoryscape stands in its place. Set within a lush landscape, the 30,000 sqm attraction features a 350m-long connector that leads visitors to six sensory gardens – where they can explore the gardens’ massive vessel-like sculptures, observe the various flora and fauna inhabiting the space, and interact with Instagrammable light displays through an augmented reality app after nightfall.“To attract younger visitors, our additional focus is on creating more authentic and immersive experiences, recognising that this demographic seeks deeper, more engaging interactions with the places they visit,” says Thien Kwee Eng, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).Just as Sensoryscape is designed to create an otherworldly atmosphere after dark, the Sentosa Night Mode campaign, launched in August, aims to introduce the island as a day-to-night destination for both locals and tourists, who would typically only make day trips to Sentosa. In addition to more nightlife events – such as the recent Waterbomb Festival, which saw about 10,000 revellers partying to a live K-pop line-up – the initiative includes extended operating hours at key attractions, along with street performances and dining promotions.It’s a move that has boosted visitorship to the island, with total numbers reaching 16 million this year.“This is a 20 per cent increase in the number of visitors as compared to the same period last year,” reveals Kwee Eng.
TAKING THE LEAP
It’s 10 am on a Monday, and Gan Guoyi, 40, walks into Jigger & Pony with a set of dry-cleaned clothes – a picture of calm amid the aftermath of last night’s chaos. The Singapore bar recently secured a spot in the Top 5 of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, announced in Madrid on Oct 23. To celebrate, she threw a three-night promotion from Nov 10, where customers enjoyed five premium cocktails for just $5 each at select bars like Gibson, Live Twice, Sugarhall, Como Pony Jakarta, and Jigger & Pony.Naturally, the event was a hit, and Guoyi, who was manning the guest list at Sugarhall, only managed a few hours of sleep the night before. Still, she arrives promptly to our photo shoot without complaints.
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