ESG issues continue to challenge investor attitudes and drive longer-term outlooks, says Schroders study

Jessica Ground, head of stewardship at Schroders, analyses the results of the Schroders Global Investor Study which reveals ESG factors are continuing to gain momentum among the investment community and why advisers can no longer afford to ignore them

The importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues has never been higher. Companies are growing painfully aware their behaviour is being scrutinised not only by customers but also by investors.   Newspaper headlines increasingly reflect this. Think only of the VW emissions scandal last year or the scrutiny placed on Sports Direct over its treatment of workers. Such issues of social responsibility will continue to dominate the news agenda. How does the UK stockmarket rank in terms of ESG criteria? The Schroders Global Investor Study gathers the views of 20,000 inves...