Conclusion

A crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic often effects fundamental shifts in priorities and becomes a catalyst for innovation and change. For one thing, it has brought into sharp focus that humanity is interconnected, and no society can survive in isolation. This realisation has also changed perceptions towards ESG in general and climate issues in particular.

At EFG Hermes, our journey towards ESG integration and prioritization has been steady and measured, and we are proud of our achievements, but there remains much more to be done. This is only the start. As a fully integrated financial service provider with presence in 13 markets across four continents and ambition to become even bigger, we cannot neglect our responsibility whether towards our shareholders or towards society. Climate risk and social inequality pose significant market risk. It is our duty to mitigate that risk by making informed, principled choices that demonstrate how sustainable investment does not come with a financial trade-off. As people become more aware of the sustainability dimensions of their investments, demand for sustainable business will increase. The financial industry stands at a crossroads: it is no longer the time to place profits before people. To safeguard our world from future global shocks, we must build a fair system that positively shapes the world for future generations.