All about sustainable investing

Learn what you need to know to make a difference

Only 39% invest sustainably globally1— largely because investors just aren’t clear about what it is, and how it can make a difference. Here, we break it down for you with what you need to know about sustainable investing to get started and make a difference.

What is sustainable investing?

It’s a way to invest for the returns you expect while staying true to your values. That’s whether you care about a cause, driving social change, or how a company or country conducts itself.

3 ways your portfolio can make a difference:

Exclusion

Exclude companies and industries that don’t reflect your values from your portfolio.

Integration

Integrate environmental, social and corporate governance factors into your portfolio to improve your returns and reduce your risk.

Impact

Invest with the intention to generate measurable environmental and social impact, alongside a financial return.

Myth vs. reality

Icon myth 1

Myth

You sacrifice performance
 

Sustainable investment returns are comparable to what you can expect from conventional ones.2, 3 According to research, investing sustainably improves returns or doesn't harm them.1 So it's little surprise the global sustainable investment market is growing.

Icon myth 2

Myth

You can’t measure the impact

With impact investing, you can already see the difference you’re making, since that’s a criteria. Even more promising, companies and funds are reporting their social and environmental impact.

Icon myth 3

Myth

You need to be an expert
 

A simple way to reflect your values is to choose sustainable investment mutual funds, SMAs or ETFs. By 2023, investors expect sustainable investing to be mainstream, so join the movement.

Who’s investing sustainably?

The young and the wealthy lead the way1

Globally

39% of investors globally

Ages

56%
Ages 18-34

Assets

54%
$50m+ in assets

Fresh perspectives

Why UBS?

We want to shape the future of sustainable investing. Why? Because we believe these investments can deliver returns with less risk to your money. We are also confident that sustainable investing will soon become the world's most widely accepted way of investing.2, 3

As the world's leading wealth manager,4 we feel responsible for helping change things for the better. We have the capital, solutions and expertise to make a big difference globally.

These aren’t just words. We walk the talk. In 2017, we announced our intention to raise USD 5 billion in client assets over the next five years to help plug funding gaps needed to reach the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We drive change

We drive change

How UBS is making a difference in the world

Read more
We support global visionaries

We support global visionaries

Insights from thought leaders whose work is shaping our future.

Read more
We bring people together

We bring people together

Insights from UBS Investment Summit Davos 2018

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UBS Consenso logo

Consenso (now UBS Consenso) has been a market leader in Brazil's multi-family office sector since 2003. We've led the way by offering a compelling blend of unbiased onshore and offshore services, and expertise that helps people protect and grow their wealth.

In 2017, we joined with UBS, giving our clients access to the world's leading wealth manager.

We connect with every client, working together to help them understand and make the most of their wealth.

To execute transactions efficiently and cost-effectively in global markets, our independence enables us to choose the right investment partners and custodians.

Is your portfolio having the impact you want?

Discover how we can help you

1 Based on UBS Investor Watch results 2018. for further information visit our website.
2 'ESG and financial performance: aggregated evidence from more than 2000 empirical studies', Journal of Sustainable Finance and Investment, Gunnar Friede, Timo Busch, Alexander Bassen, 2015
3 'Introducing the Impact Investing Benchmark', Global Impact Investing Network and Cambridge Associates, 2015
4 Source: World’s best bank for Wealth Management 2018, Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2018
5 Concentrating your entire portfolio on an specific type of investment may bring additional risks

The price and value of investments and income derived from them can go down as well as up. You may not get back the amount originally invested.

The content provided in this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell any products or specific services. Although all information and opinions expressed in this website were obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, UBS expressly disclaims any liability, express or implied, for false or incomplete information. To the extent permitted by law, neither UBS nor any of its managers, employees or agents may be held liable for any losses or damages whatsoever that might arise from the use of the information here presented or connected therewith. All information and opinions indicated are subject to change without notice. Certain services and products here mentioned may not be adequate or available to all investors and may be subject to specific legal provisions.

The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors or sustainable investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio where such factors are not present. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. You may not get back the amount originally invested. Because sustainability criteria can exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Companies may not necessarily meet high performance standards on all aspects of ESG or sustainable investing issues; there is also no guarantee that any company will meet expectations in connection with corporate responsibility, sustainability and/or impact performance.

UBS does not provide legal or tax advice and this publication does not constitute such advice. UBS recommends that all persons considering the products or services described herein obtain appropriate independent legal, tax and other professional advice..

The advice provided by UBS Consenso occurs in the context of an investment management services.