Client demand for consideration of these issues is driving the increase in investments, as is the desire among money managers to have a positive impact on SRI investments, the risk that is presented by some investments, and the social benefits it provides, the report says.
Retail investors should feel empowered to ask their advisors about the options available to them for SRI investing, says Meg Voorhes, director of research for US SIF.
In that vein, Joshua Humphreys, president of Croatan Institute, a nonprofit research organization for social issues, notes that advisors and investors now have access to new tools to screen investments on ESG issues.