US SIF Launches Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. SIF, the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, has announced the launch of the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus, a bipartisan effort led by Representatives Juan Vargas (D-CA) and Sean Casten (D-IL). The caucus aims to educate lawmakers about the benefits of sustainable investing, using environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, and inform policy making that provides investor protections and market transparency. This initiative comes as sustainable investing has grown significantly, with $8.4 trillion in total US sustainable investment assets at the beginning of 2022, representing 13 percent of the total US assets under professional management.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus will serve as a resource for lawmakers about sustainable investing, ESG criteria, and their relevance to congressional policy.
  • The caucus will educate members of Congress about the market-driven benefits of sustainable investment and inform policy making that provides investor protections and market transparency.
  • Representatives Juan Vargas and Sean Casten will co-chair the caucus, with a focus on advancing proposals, rules, and regulations that recognize the importance of utilizing ESG criteria in the investment process.
  • Sustainable investing has grown significantly, with $8.4 trillion in total US sustainable investment assets at the beginning of 2022, representing 13 percent of the total US assets under professional management.
  • The US SIF Foundation's 2022 Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends highlighted the growth of sustainable investing, with 72% of institutional investors and 85% of individual investors considering ESG factors in their investment decisions.
  • The caucus has received endorsements from numerous investors and organizations, including institutional investors, family offices, and non-profit organizations.
  • Organizations endorsing the caucus include US SIF, the American Sustainable Business Network, As You Sow, Ceres, and the US Impact Investing Alliance.

Statistics:

  • $8.4 trillion: The total US sustainable investment assets at the beginning of 2022, representing 13 percent of the total US assets under professional management.
  • 72%: The percentage of institutional investors who consider ESG factors in their investment decisions (US SIF Foundation's 2022 Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends).
  • 85%: The percentage of individual investors who consider ESG factors in their investment decisions (US SIF Foundation's 2022 Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends).
  • 2022: The year in which total US sustainable investment assets reached $8.4 trillion, according to the US SIF Foundation's 2022 Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends.

Sources:

  • U.S. SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment
  • US SIF Foundation's 2022 Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends
  • Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus
  • Representatives Juan Vargas and Sean Casten
  • US SIF CEO Lisa Woll
  • Various investors and organizations endorsing the caucus, including Adrian Dominican Sisters, Portfolio Advisory Board, AIF, Align Impact, and others.