The future of responsible investment at PRI in Person 2024 Toronto

Last week, the Auquan team attended the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in Person 2024 event in Toronto to exchange valuable insights on sustainable investment and spread awareness of the importance of ESG factors. 

PRI in Person is the world's leading event focused on responsible investing, bringing together experts, leaders, and innovators in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), artificial intelligence, and risk management. 

The Auquan team had the opportunity to exchange valuable insights on the latest trends shaping the future of sustainability investment. 

Here are some key takeaways from this year's event: 

• Achieving a 'just transition' in emerging markets: The opening plenary session included a detailed discussion on the path to reaching net zero in a just and orderly way, specifically in emerging markets and carbon-intensive industries. The key insight of this session was to consider ESG factors beyond their environmental impact and focus on inclusive economic policies.

• Overcoming barriers to responsible investment: While sustainable investment is becoming increasingly popular, many challenges are barriers to the full adoption of responsible investment practices. These challenges include regulatory uncertainty, organizational resistance to change, and market short-termism. The discussions centered on advocating for more transparent regulatory frameworks and fostering a culture for long-term sustainability goals. 

• Using ESG to create value in private markets: Incorporating ESG principles into portfolio firms can improve operational efficiency while considering the sustainability factor. The key takeaway from this session was integrating ESG into investment decisions to achieve financial gains, as, by default, financial value creation and sustainability are not at odds with each other. 

• Advancing ESG literacy: Despite being a widely adopted term in the private sector, many professionals know little about ESG. The session addressed how cross-organizational ESG literacy is important for the ultimate success of organizationally responsible investment policy or strategy. 

• Investing in AI responsibly: This discussion included short to long-term implications of artificial intelligence on both the labor market and financial system. The experts talked about how AI can change the workflow of financial institutions to promote sustainability. The key insight from this session was integrating AI analytics into investment strategy, framework evaluation, and navigating evolving regulations. 

Being a part of PRI in Person 2024 gave Auquan invaluable insights into understanding the trends and needs of financial institutions for responsible investment. It also gave us the opportunity to network with industry experts to have deep conversations on ESG integration, the role of AI, and the need for sustainable investment in today's world. Events like this guide us to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in sustainable investment. 

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