Responsible investment has undergone significant development in recent years. Regulation, reporting requirements and standards have become more detailed, and the availability of data has improved. At the same time, expectations towards investors and their sustainability practices have grown. Responsible investment is no longer understood primarily through individual tools or exclusions. Instead, it has become an integral part of the investment process and investment decision-making, shaping how investors manage material sustainability-related risks, opportunities and impacts.
These expectations also reflect wider changes in the world around investors. Geopolitical tensions, for example, have brought greater attention to questions related to the defence industry and resilience, as well as human rights issues linked to conflict-affected high-risk areas. Priorities differ across markets, and views on responsible investment have in some cases become more polarised. Critical voices have also become more visible.
At the same time, it has become increasingly clear that economic activity depends on the healthy ecosystems and planetary boundaries. Climate change and biodiversity loss have far-reaching implications not only for nature, but also for human well-being, society and the economy. These changes also affect the operating conditions of companies, as well as the investment risks and returns.
In this context, there is a growing need for clear and research-based information. Responding to this need is a central part of Finsif’s mission. One of the association’s key goals is to provide objective and up-to-date information on responsible investment. Finsif aims to serve as a platform that helps its members understand the long-term value of responsible investment and address misconceptions related to the topic.
To support this objective, Finsif has prepared a responsible investment guide. The guide now being published is an updated version of the previous edition. It brings together key principles and concepts, provides an overview of the topic and offers support for applying these principles in practice.
The guide seeks to reflect the perspectives of different types of investors, as well as the fact that responsible investment continues to evolve. Investors differ significantly in their objectives, obligations and resources, which means that there is no single model that works for everyone. Each investor needs to consider which principles and practices are most appropriate for his or her own activities. At its core, responsible investment is a process of continuous development. It requires ongoing learning, regular reflection on existing practices and the ability to translate new insights into action.
Thank you to the working group for all the work that went into updating the guide!
Emilia Haarakoski
Chair of the responsible investment guide working group
Download the guide in finnish or english
