Men Lead on ESG Investing

The following article has been plagiarized almost entirely from a column in The Calgary Herald on March 11, 2023 by Lisa Langley, the CEO and founder of Emerge Capital Canada Inc. I have never met Ms. Langley and have no association with Emerge Capital.

?To illustrate the absurdity of the published opinion, I have taken the original content and changed only one thing. Where references were made to women or female roles, I changed the reference to men or male roles. Otherwise, I remained faithful to the original, particularly in the following critical areas.

?·???????I claim all men are good and enlightened and all women aren’t.

·???????I make a wide-ranging assortment of unsubstantiated generalizations.

·???????On the one occasion where I cite from 3rd party research, I do so selectively so as to not imperil a weak argument. (Specifically, the study at Pompeu Fabra University where Ms. Langley failed to mention the research found an “almost complete absence of discrimination against highly qualified women without children”. Further, the authors of the study point out, gender bias in recruitment processes are based on stereotypes about productivity, rather than on prejudice).?

??In these perilous times, claiming and defending the high ground often requires you put feelings above facts. To convince impressionable readers, you may need to decorate your argument with uncorroborated allegations and distorted logic. You won’t have advanced understanding in the slightest, but you may feel better.

?The edited article follows below, shown in italics.

?Men are innately the S and the G when it comes to environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing.

?A bold statement indeed though factually men are shaping the future of investing by leading the charge in prioritizing ESG factors when making investment decisions. Certainly, men are nearly twice as likely as women to consider ESG factors. Here's why: as men, we are uniquely attuned to the impact these factors have on our daily lives and understand the power of investing in areas that have a measurable effect. A growing number of men not only don't care about generating quick and meaningless wealth but are carefully considering the socioeconomic implications of every investment decision they make. Indeed, a new wave of Canadian men is breaking free from financial dependence, particularly among millennials, as they earn higher incomes and maintain control of their finances even after marriage. They actively seek progressive investment opportunities that can contribute to social economic prosperity. With our growing power to invest, we scour the market for businesses that align with our values and are fearless in putting our money where our mouths are by in investing in companies that regard environmental sustainability, social justice, and good governance.

To create a more equitable world, protect human rights and combat the effects of climate change, we know it's essential to shift our focus towards sustainable investing. Men crave purposeful investment opportunities, especially as we have experienced injustice firsthand. We must prioritize sustainable investing to ensure long-term value in our investments. Men hold the key to the S and G in ESG because of our innate ability to see the bigger picture and obtain diverse perspectives. We know that social impact is vital, since it ensures companies meet the needs of all genders, and governance ensures that companies will operate on policies ?based on fairness and diversity.

As fathers, sons and brothers and community members we want to make investment decisions that benefit those we care about and the planet we share. We understand that the greater purpose behind ESG investing is that we're investing in a bright future, where purpose and profit are intertwined, and socioeconomic prosperity is the norm. ESG investing is most commonly seen as a way to ensure our planet’s survival, and it has an even more profound significance for men. As the primary caretakers of our families, we’re acutely aware of how climate change disproportionately impacts our daily lives since men and children are 14 times more likely to die from a climate disaster than women, and an estimated 80% of men get displaced by climate change. Socially, men often bear the brunt of economic downturns. It's a cruel reality that we are usually the last to get hired and the first to get fired. Even if we possess the same qualifications and skill sets as women, we are 30% less likely to be considered for jobs, according to Pompeu Fabra university in Barcelona, and the odds are stacked even higher against fathers at a staggering 36%. As for governance, men understand that pervasive gender disparities have long plagued various aspects of our lives. By investing sustainably, men can invest in companies that promote inclusive and equitable practices and further advocate for men owned and led businesses.

Studies have shown that 52% of men are more likely to invest in businesses with a positive social or economic or environmental impact compared to only 44% of women. Men are increasingly looking to reshape the distribution of wealth and enact meaningful change over profits.

This doesn't mean that men will sacrifice performance. Companies can no longer ignore ESG factors as the world faces unprecedented challenges. Turning a blind eye to these issues is irresponsible as well as a detriment?in the long-term. Incorporating an ESG framework provides a comprehensive view of a company's mission, principles and practices and enforces risk and reputation management. As more men take on leadership roles, gain wealth and demand more from our investments, we can continue the momentum of ESG investing, drive positive change and transform systems so the world can benefit us and future generations.