Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus Launched to Promote Sustainable Investing Practices

The Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus was launched in Washington D.C. to raise awareness and promote sustainable investing practices, leveraging environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. Co-chaired by Representatives Juan Vargas (D-CA) and Sean Casten (D-IL), the caucus aims to educate members of Congress on the market-driven benefits of sustainable investment and inform policy making that provides investor protections and market transparency. The caucus has received endorsements from numerous investors and organizations, including US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, the American Sustainable Business Network, and As You Sow.

Key Takeaways:

• The Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus will focus on educating members of Congress about the benefits of sustainable investing, leveraging ESG criteria, and promoting policies that support investor protections and market transparency.
• The caucus will hold regularly scheduled events, briefings, and discussions with investors, fund managers, companies, and regulators to advance sustainable investment practices.
• The US SIF Foundation's 2022 Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends identified $8.4 trillion in total US sustainable investment assets at the beginning of 2022, representing 13% of the total US assets under professional management.
• Representative Vargas and Representative Casten emphasized the importance of sustainable investing in the health and vibrancy of communities, workplaces, and ecosystems.
• The caucus aims to progress past uninformed critiques of sustainable investing and promote a better understanding of the demand for and market relevance of sustainable investing.
• US SIF CEO Lisa Woll stated that sustainable investment is in the mainstream of finance because investors that don't account for ESG practices and policies are not adequately assessing risk and missing an opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable economy.
• The caucus has received endorsements from numerous investors and organizations, including US SIF, the American Sustainable Business Network, and As You Sow.

Sources:

• US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment
• American Sustainable Business Network
• As You Sow
• BusinessWire: "US SIF Launches Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus"

Statistics:

• $8.4 trillion in total US sustainable investment assets at the beginning of 2022 (US SIF Foundation's 2022 Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends)
• 13% of the total US assets under professional management accounted for by sustainable investment assets (US SIF Foundation's 2022 Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends)
• 2022 report cited as a source for sustainable investment trends and market data (US SIF Foundation's 2022 Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends)
• Representing 13% of the total US assets under professional management (US SIF Foundation's 2022 Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends)