The Role of ESG in Investment Decisions

Within the US, things are kind of happening at two levels. At the state level, we're seeing a patchwork of proposed legislation that's either trying to incorporate ESG considerations in the investment process or looking to exclude it where it's deemed non-material. In January this year, 25 states filed a federal lawsuit stating that the rule prioritizes woke environmental, social and governance investing over protecting the retirement savings of approximately two-thirds of the US population. A bull that sought to overturn the Department of Labor's new rule passed through both the House and the Senate.