Asian asset owners are showing “strong commitment” to sustainable investing, with environmental, social and governance integration being a core part of their investment strategies, according to a survey by the Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA).
It polled 55 institutional investors such as insurance firms, pension funds and family offices across eight Asian jurisdictions earlier this year and found that sustainability remains “robust”.
Some 85% of respondents are positive on ESG while 90% reported no change in sentiment over the past 12 months despite global market volatility, ASIFMA says in a statement on October 23.
“Asia asset owners are demonstrating a steady and thoughtful approach to sustainability,” according to Yvette Kwan, executive adviser in the association’s asset management group. “The findings show that ESG integration is no longer a niche practice. It is becoming a core part of investment strategy.”
Some 75% of survey respondents are integrating ESG considerations into their investment processes, and consider climate change and energy transition as the “most material” ESG issues.
ASIFMA has over 150 member firms across financial institutions, including asset managers and banks.
