ESG ETFs seek to include Environmental Social or Governance goals into their investment strategy to help investors direct capital to companies that are working towards a better future for people and the planet.

ESG ETFs can be very broad and include companies from many countries and sectors, or they can focus on a narrow ESG theme (for example, Solar Energy).

Because there are many different types of ESG ETFs, we group them into 4 categories based on how they chose which companies to include or exclude.

Exclusion

This approach excludes companies or industries that do not meet minimum standards of sustainability based on international norms – often weapons manufacturers, tobacco companies or fossil fuel producers.

Best-in-Class

Best-in-class approaches select the most sustainable companies from each sector. In this approach, the ETF might still invest in fossil fuel companies or tobacco producers, but they will be limited to the ‘best’ companies for ESG in each sector.

Full Integration

Full integration approaches don’t always exclude any companies, but instead give more weight to the companies that are ESG leaders and less weight to the companies that need to improve. This approach means that an investor is still invested in the broad market, but in a way that benefits the companies that are making the most effort to set high ESG standards.

Thematic

Thematic ESG ETFs focus on one specific sustainability theme, for example clean energy, sustainable food or gender equality.

 

Want to know more? Take a look at the ESG ETFs available to buy in your region.