Stimulating recovery through green investments

What can investors learn from changes in attitude during the pandemic?

While Covid-19 has inflicted untold damage on economies and businesses around the world, it is important to take heed of some of the positives. The pandemic has been a powerful force for the environment. Chris Greenland, fund manager at Sanlam Investments, discusses why lockdown has brought about a welcome respite for the natural environment and why investors could hold the key to a green economic recovery.

Since the world has been in lockdown, we have seen dramatic falls in fossil-fuel emissions, electricity consumption and pollution levels. These shifts have opened the eyes of policymakers who have been advocating even more ambitious climate targets - especially in Europe. This bodes well for the planet, but it is also great news for companies that continue to put the environment at the forefront of research and development. With renewed impetus from governments around the world, investors will take an increased interest in supporting clean-energy initiatives, and the sector has a brighter f...