Sustainable Investing, 1st ed. 2021
Beating the Market with ESG

This book reviews the latest methods of sustainable investing and financial profit making and describes how ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) analysis can identify future business opportunities and manage risk to achieve abnormal returns. Megatrends such as climate change, sustainable development and digitalisation increase uncertainty and information asymmetry and have an impact on the future returns on investments.  From a profit perspective, it is largely about how ESG factors affect the long-term value added by companies and the valuation of companies in the financial markets. Although sustainability provides an opportunity for abnormal returns, this phenomenon must be considered in a critical light. The book describes the risks and limitations associated with the accountability and availability of ESG data and tools.

This book provides both academic findings and practical models for assessing the sustainability of investees and introduces practical tools and methods to make ESG analysis practice. It focuses on the ESG analysis of equity investments and fund investments in institutional investment organizations and provides a handbook for all investment analysts who are involved with investment decisions. Readers will benefit from understanding the methods, opportunities and challenges that professionals use in their ESG analysis with cases, interviews and practical tools for both institutional and private investors. 

Part I. Basics of Sustainable Investing.- Chapter 1.Motivation for Sustainable Investing – What Is the Purpose? .- chapter 2.  Methods of Sustainable Investing.- Part II. Engaging with Investees.- Chapter 3. Active Ownership.- Part III. Sustainability in Investment Analysis.- Chapter 4.Sustainability as Part of Qualitative Analysis.- Chapter 5. ESG Analysis Tools for Assessing Listed Shares.- Chapter 6. Sustainability of Various Investment Products.- Part IV. The Link betweenSustainability and Returns.- Chapter 7. The Nordic Perspective on Integrating ESG.- Chapter 8. Is Sustainable Investing Profitable?.- Chapter 9. What Is the Profitability of Sustainability Based on?.- Part V. Sustainability Trends and the Future of ESG.- Chapter 10.Changes in International Politics and Legislation.- Chapter 11. Sustainability Trends and International Frameworks.- Chapter 12. Global Investment Trends and Impacts on Sustainable Investing.

Tiina Landau is an internationally recognized sustainability expert and Certified European Financial Analyst (CEFA). She currently works as Sustainability Manager at Neste Corporation, embedding sustainability considerations into new business models and supply chains. Previously she served as Senior Responsible Investment Officer at Ilmarinen, a pension investor with 50 billion euros in investment assets and was recognized as a top 50 contributor globally in responsible investments among asset owners in the IRRI survey 2017, voted by professionals in 43 countries. In addition, she has previously worked on sustainable investing at OP Financial Group (80 billion euros in investment assets) and in management consulting at KPMG. She has extensive experience as a speaker in media and seminars and also writes a column in the Finnish financial newspaper Kauppalehti.

Hanna Silvola is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Hanken School of Economics, Finland. Her research interests are in sustainable investing and in measuring, reporting and assuring corporate sustainability information in strategic decision-making. She has international experience from the London School of Economics, UK, University of Stanford, USA, Monash University, Australia and the University of New South Wales, Australia. Dr. Silvola has published on a range of topics in accounting in journals such as Accounting, Organizations and Society; Management Accounting Research; Journal of Small Business Management and Journal of Management Accounting Review. She has comprehensive experience as a speaker in media and executive education.

Explains why sustainable investments are profitable and can even beat the market

Provides both academic findings and practical models for assessing the sustainability of investees

Includes practical tools to make ESG analysis a part of investment analysis alongside case studies and expert interviews

Shows how investors can support companies in achieving positive impact through active engagement