In today’s world, more and more people and businesses are looking at the way they operate and the things they do to try and make positive changes and reduce their impact on the environment. Sustainability has never been so popular, and it is certainly the way forward if we want to keep our planet green and healthy for future generations.
A method that is gaining popularity and traction is ESG trading. This is the process of trading (either financially through processes like ESG investing, or operationally as a business) using three main principles. We’ll discuss this below and how this approach can benefit the environment.
ESG Trading⎯a Simple Explanation?
E = Environmental
S = Social
G = Governance
These are the three core pointers that an individual or business must consider. The environment factor is to do with the impact your trading has and the damaging things you potentially do. If you practice ESG trading, you must try to reduce your carbon emissions and do things that don’t have negative consequences for our environment.
The social factor concerns how you act towards others and the underlying ethics of your trading and actions. This includes things like equal opportunities, promoting diversity, and only working with companies that act responsibly and sustainably.
Lastly, the governance factor relates to the overall actions of your business or trading plan. This can be anything from security practices and wage distribution to how the CEO and Board members act and the company’s history. Essentially, the aim is to operate ethically and promote positivity within your industry or through your trading practices.
This practice can apply specifically to the act of trading i.e., investing and dealing in things like stocks and Forex. And in this instance, the aim is to trade in a manner that has a minimum environmental impact while also working with sustainable platforms. It also applies to general business and how your company conducts itself.
Environmental Benefits of ESG Trading
ESG trading is relatively straightforward when you break down the three main components. And the principles of environment, social, and governance can make a huge difference. But how, specifically, does this benefit the environment? We have listed some main pointers below.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Our carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases that we generate via our actions. It is a very tangible thing that we can measure and it is well-known that a higher carbon footprint has a detrimental effect on the environment.
Therefore, by practicing ESG trading, you can actively work to reduce your carbon footprint and thus, have a smaller negative impact on our planet. The ultimate aim is to be carbon neutral, or at least to offset any carbon emissions you make by doing things like contributing to reforestation or supporting environmental charities.
Reduced Power Usage
Most of us are guilty of using a heap of electricity and fuel daily, and this ultimately contributes to carbon emissions and damage to our atmosphere. One aspect of ESG trading is the environmental factor and this will greatly help reduce your power consumption.
From a trading-specific viewpoint, you could work with trading platforms that try to operate energy efficiently. You could also look at your own equipment and try to opt for more efficient pieces, like your PSU and monitor.
From a business-specific viewpoint, could it be possible for your business to embrace renewable power sources, like solar or wind, to reduce your electricity usage?
Promotion of Continuous Change
A less-tangible benefit is that by using the ESG trading model, you will be promoting continuous change, either through how you trade or the industry your business is part of. If we want to make a difference and turn the state of our planet around, everyone has to do their part.
If you are looking at environmental, social, and governance factors, and are seen to be thriving as a business, then others will follow suit. Furthermore, the support and money you give to sustainable companies, helps them grow, and the more sustainable businesses that are successful, the more this trend will continue.
It’s like a snowball effect, where things start off small and seem insignificant, but the more traction gained, the larger ESG trading will grow. The more businesses that practice ESG trading, the less harm we will do to our environment, and so on.
Switch to ESG Trading and Help Push for Positive Business Changes
As you can see, ESG trading, in all its forms, can be incredibly beneficial and is something every business and investor should strive for. For investors, using an ESG trading strategy ensures that your financial dealings have a minimal environmental impact and that you are supporting sustainable businesses.
For businesses, trading using ESG principles ensures that you are contributing to saving the planet and turning our world into a more sustainable and ethical place.
About the Author/s
Tom is a lifelong New Jersey resident, Rutgers and FDU alumni and the publisher of The Digest.
