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Scientifically Assess Impacts of Sustainable Investments
Article

Scientifically Assess Impacts of Sustainable Investments

Metrics can inform investors wary of “green washing”

Science, 2018

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Innovative
  • Scientific

Recommendation

Corporate sustainability is an increasingly important factor to consider for investors. It relates to the environmental and social impact of a company’s business practices, services and/or product. Professor Charles J. Vörösmarty and colleagues outline why current criteria used to assess corporate sustainability are inadequate, and how they can lead to suboptimal investment decisions. They propose the integration of more transparent and scientific data to bolster the metrics of corporate sustainability. The article will engage executives and investors interested in the sustainability of businesses.

Summary

Investments in sustainable business are growing.

Corporate sustainability describes a business’ external impact on the environment and social welfare. It is an increasingly common factor to consider for investors. In the United States, sustainable investments now make up approximately a fifth of all professionally managed assets.

Current measures of corporate sustainability are inadequate.

Current assessments of corporate sustainability often consider internal business practices but not external downstream environmental and...

About the Authors

Charles J. Vörösmarty is a founding director of the Environmental Sciences Initiative and Einstein Professor of Civil Engineering at the City University of New York (CUNY) Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC). Vanesa Rodríguez Osuna is a senior scientist and project manager at CUNY ASRC.