Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investing: Hope or Hype?

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RadioPublic | Stitcher | RSS

Everybody wants to do the right thing for our planet. We want to reduce pollution, keep the world from warming up, and fight for clean air and water. We also want to do the right thing when it comes to people: Encourage diversity, stop sexual harassment and support fair labor practices.

And when it comes to investing, we want companies that embody the same beliefs: companies that don’t hurt the earth or the people on it.

That’s the idea behind environmental, social and governance investing, also known as ESG investing and socially responsible investing (SRI).

Putting your money where your beliefs are: It’s getting ever more popular. As of 2020, more than $17 trillion has found its way into funds that specialize in ESG. But is ESG investing really going to save the planet, or is this another clever package Wall Street is using to wrap up your money?

We’re about to find out. Because that’s what this week’s “Money!” podcast is about. We’re going to look under the hood of ESG investing and when we’re done, you’ll have everything you need to decide whether it’s fantastic or fad. And we’re going to do it without making your eyes glaze over.

As usual, my co-host will be financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer and novice investor Aaron Freeman.

Sit back, relax and listen to this week’s “Money!” podcast:

Don’t listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone, or by listening online. They’re awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you’re in the car, doing chores, jogging or, if you’re like me, riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, Spotify, RadioPublic, Stitcher and RSS.

If you haven’t listened to our podcast yet, give it a try, then subscribe. You’ll be glad you did!

Show notes

Want more information? Check out these resources:

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.