The rise in prominence of social issues has meant that investors are now putting more difficult questions to companies on important issues such as labour and business relations, minimum wage, employee training & development and welfare. Human capital, long absent from balance sheets, is now being recognised on par with other more tangible items such as plant equipment and machinery. This will prove vital as the global economy rapidly moves into its next phase; increased digitalisation, which in no small part has been accelerated by the pandemic. The need to recruit, develop, train and retain human capital will be at the core of resilient business models. This augurs well for ESG investors who give such focus to social issues over the next decade and beyond, where the human capital will not only be a key innovator, but also an important driver of consumer behaviour.

As the pandemic has changed the way we eat, drink, socialise, exercise, travel, learn and work in a profound and lasting way, this same impact has been felt by many companies; businesses have had to perform a dramatic shift in how they engage with their employees, suppliers, customers and investors. For the latter group, it has provided an opportunity for responsible and sustainable investors to reinforce the benefits of using ESG criteria when making key decisions on investing in companies, but also importantly when engaging with companies on ESG issues and on divesting from unsuitable names. Investors have never had such opportunity to engage with company management on a wide variety of ESG issues, and this new and improved alignment of both stakeholders on these issues should help to deliver long-term investment returns to shareholders over the coming decade.

Rapid digitalisation across a wide range of industries, from traditional cyclical parts of the economy to the newly emerging sub-sectors remains a key catalyst for ESG investors to watch. The “roaring” 1920s were spurred on by the rapid uptake of electrification in then newly emerging industries and there is every possibility that rapid digitisation by all parts of the current economy will lead to another “roaring 20s” in the upcoming decade. A more engaged consumer has led to greater changes in consumption patterns, driven in large part by these digital tailwinds. There are now a diverse range of providers in the marketplace allowing investors a greater choice in terms of investment style and philosophy. It also brings about increased awareness of responsible and sustainable investing and adds further momentum to ESG investing in the medium to long-term; comparative to the wider investment industry, ESG is still in its nascent stage and should undergo several growth stages in the coming decade.

The performance of ESG funds in 2020 was another highlight for the sector, with 1 in 5 of all 1st quartile funds in the UK All Companies sector being screened. The performance story is also strong over the longer time horizon, which will help to fight off the age old, misguided criticism levelled against ESG funds, where investors were forced to give up performance to keep their values. That whole myth has well and truly been debunked. Suffice to say, 2021 heralds the start of an exciting new era for the industry, driven by more active and engaged participants entering the market.

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EdenTree Investment Management Limited (EdenTree) Reg. No. 2519319. Registered in England at Benefact House, 2000, Pioneer Avenue, Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth, Gloucester, GL3 4AW, United Kingdom. EdenTree is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a member of the Investment Association. Firm Reference Number 527473.