One of the most powerful ways you can make change is to use the financial tools you already have – such as your retirement plan or college savings plan -- to invest in socially and environmentally responsible funds.
Socially responsible investing goes by many names: sustainable investing, ESG investing, impact investing and more. Whatever it’s called, responsible investing helps you use your investments – including your retirement and college savings plans – to build a better world.
Responsible investing is different from responsible banking, credit cards, and insurance. For the latter three, once your money leaves your hands -- whether by opening a bank account, generating a transaction fee, or purchasing a policy -- it is no longer under your control. Someone else can use that money as they see fit without even consulting you. Your job, then, is to find a responsible bank, credit card issuer, or insurance carrier who will use your money in a way that aligns with your values.
With investing, YOU are in charge of what happens to your money. Even if you have a financial advisor, YOU decide which companies, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds, to invest in, or other investments to make. We want to equip you with the information needed to make these decisions.
Many people don’t think of themselves as investors, but they are. For example, if you have a employer-sponsored 401(k) plan, you are an investor – and you can choose which funds to invest in from the range of funds included in the plan. Even a certificate of deposit can be thought of as an investment.
Learn more about responsible investing by clicking on the boxes below.
Green America is not an investment adviser, nor do we provide financial planning, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in our communications or materials shall constitute or be construed as an offering of financial instruments or as investment advice or investment recommendations.
We have had many big breakthroughs recently. Major companies across all industries are changing -- proof of the power of consumer pressure. We are witnessing how our economic power is truly changing the world for good and towards a simpler, more sustainable way of living. We are winning and we are opening doors for more businesses to go green.
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Vanguard is lagging on climate: It’s the top fossil fuel investor and is failing to hold companies accountable on their climate and sustainability impacts.
Many large insurers are scaling back coverage and raising rates, all while insuring fossil fuel projects and investing in fossil fuels.
Are you interested in environmentally responsible investing? Check out the Green Century / Green America guide to start investing fossil fuel free.
Download our guide to adding socially and environmentally responsible investment options to your employer's retirement plan.
This article was originally published in Nasdaq's Purpose in Action Newsletter on November 19, 2024
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