Morningstar: ESG portfolio implementation still lags among major global investors

Only 29% consider ESG factors more than half of AUM

The majority of a group of global asset owners representing more than £32.7tn assets under management have not yet fully implemented ESG in their portfolios, a new Morningstar study reveals.

According to the study, which surveyed 500 global investors in 11 countries, only 29% of respondents said ESG factors are being considered for more than half of their organisation's total assets under management. When asked about barriers to full implementation of ESG strategies, investors cited concern about impact on returns, lack of available products and reluctance of clients and stakeholders as top factors.  Despite this, the vast majority (85%) of surveyed investors said they believe ESG factors are material to investment policy, while 70% feel ESG factors have become more mater...