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Talent shortage hinders Asian ESG investing
Regional efforts needed to build talent, firm-wide policies to profit from huge, untapped opportunity
The Asset 23 Sep 2021

Over 40% of institutional investors in Asia, up from 26% in 2020, say that the most common reason they are being held back from more environmental, social and governance (ESG)-based investing is due to a shortage of expertise or qualified staff, according to a recent report.

The survey, conducted by HSBC on sustainable finance and investing, also showed that only 39% of investors in Asia have a firm-wide policy on responsible investing or ESG issues. This compares with 91% and 72% in Europe and the US respectively.

However, 72% of respondents in Asia say they are paying greater attention to ESG issues compared with last year, indicating greater prioritization among investors in the region, and showing remaining concerns about returns are diminishing quickly.

“Sustainable finance and investment is a huge untapped opportunity for Asian corporates and investors, to differentiate themselves and drive growth,” says Jonathan Drew, head of ESG solutions at HSBC. “It is also critical in ensuring the region – which is among the most vulnerable to the climate crisis – transitions to a path of sustainable, low carbon, economic growth.

“A robust ecosystem of principles, frameworks and standards, across definitions and disclosure, requires expertise and dedicated human resources for it to happen. Meeting this need requires focus and investment, but doing so should pay huge dividends both in terms of building a sustainable future, and in terms of improving the bottom line. Let’s get behind the efforts of governments, regulators and industry associations across the region to build talent and create robust green jobs for the future.”

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