Aegon AM: Impact investing risks being marred by poor reporting

'Obfuscation' in crowded ESG space

The substandard measurement and reporting of impact investments could leave investors disenchanted with asset managers’ overly positive claims, Aegon Asset Management warns.

Brunno Maradei, global head of responsible investment at Aegon Asset Management, fears impact investing is being "sullied" by the attempts of some asset managers to gain a competitive advantage over rivals. "My cynical self would argue that the new impact trend is just about obfuscation and an attempt to differentiate in an increasingly crowded ESG investing space," he said. "While impact investing is respectable if done properly, this field is still struggling with subpar measurement and reporting techniques, leaving many investors wondering if they are truly achieving positive socia...