Responsible investing is an investment strategy which integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment analysis and decisions. It recognises that ESG factors can have an impact on the financial value of an investment and also that investments have an impact on the world around us. 

ESG factors could include risks such as those posed by climate change, poor labour standards, and board corruption scandals. However, they may also present opportunities, such as investing in low-carbon alternatives like renewable energy companies. ESG are ‘moral’ classifications we hope responsible fund managers are considering when investing on behalf of investment and pension savers.

Such ESG factors include: 

• Encouraging companies to set ambitious targets to lower their carbon footprint during everyday operations, in order to actively limit climate change and build the market demand for low-carbon solutions;
• Driving transparency on companies’ direct operations and supply chains so that their investors can improve conditions, such as promoting fair pay and gender equality, for workers; 
• Exposing companies that are not doing enough to make sure their staff are ethnically diverse and properly represent the communities they depend on to grow. 

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.