What is Socially Responsible Investing?
Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) integrates ethical, environmental, and social considerations into investment decision-making. Investors adopting SRI principles typically avoid industries like tobacco, weapons, or fossil fuels, focusing instead on businesses promoting sustainable practices and social equity. SRI often overlaps with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and impact investing, aligning financial returns with personal values.
For family offices, SRI is increasingly used to reflect generational values, reinforce legacy goals, and influence positive change while preserving and growing wealth. It also provides a structured way to engage younger family members around purposeful investing and long-term impact.
Different Types of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)
SRI strategies can vary in their focus and execution:
- Negative Screening: Excludes industries or companies failing to meet ethical standards (e.g. tobacco, arms, fossil fuels).
- Positive Screening: Actively seeks out businesses with strong ESG performance or sustainability credentials.
- Thematic Investing: Targets specific areas such as clean energy, gender equity, or access to education.
- Shareholder Advocacy: Uses voting rights or engagement to influence corporate behaviour and policies.
These approaches enable families to align their portfolios with personal or shared values while still pursuing competitive financial performance.
