How sustainable investing benefits the planet

If we’re going to continue to power the planet, we need to get serious about alternative energy sources. Whether it’s installing solar energy panels in single-family homes or building wind turbine farms to generate clean energy, the companies that are leading the way are likely to benefit from investment. Especially if we want renewable energy to be affordable enough that it automatically becomes the best option.

That’s where sustainable investing comes in. Sustainable investing supports not only renewable energy, but also new jobs—which in turn can create the kind of economic growth that drives prices down and moves markets upwards.

How can you get started with sustainable investing—and how can you choose the kinds of investment opportunities that are likely to benefit alternative energy? To answer these questions, we reached out to sustainability expert Josh Prigge.

Prigge is the the founder and CEO of Sustridge, a sustainability consulting firm. He works with organizations of all sizes — from major corporations to small, private graduate schools — to make the kind of lasting changes that can lead towards long-term sustainability. With twelve years of experience in sustainable management, Prigge understands how to help organizations make practical, actionable choices that are good for both the environment and the bottom line.

How do you define sustainable investing?

“Sustainable investing is a forward-thinking approach that incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions,” Prigge explained. “Its goal is to generate long-term financial returns along with creating positive societal and environmental impacts.”

Like all investments, sustainable investing comes with a certain amount of risk—which means that before you purchase any stocks or index funds, you should ask yourself whether you can afford to lose a part of your investment or  hold your investments through a long-term bear market. That said, many companies that make good sustainable investments are also actively working towards reducing risk for their investors.

“Sustainable investing works towards identifying companies that actively promote sustainability and responsible business practices,” says Prigge, “often leading to better long-term performance and risk management.”

How does sustainable investing differ from ESG investing?

“While sustainable investing and ESG investing are often used interchangeably, they differ in their primary focus,” Prigge told us. “ESG investing serves as an essential foundation for assessing companies based on their environmental, social, and governance performance. Sustainable investing takes a broader and more proactive approach.”

If you are interested in supporting racial justice or equitable leadership opportunities, for example, ESG investing is likely to connect you to companies that have met certain metrics that indicate progress in these key values. Many of these companies have also been selected because of their high environmental standards and may be actively working towards sustainability goals.

Sustainable investing, on the other hand, focuses entirely on long-term environmental factors. “Sustainable investing goes beyond ESG investing,” says Prigge, “by actively seeking out companies with innovative solutions to global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequality.”

How do you define alternative energy sources?

“Alternative energy sources are the ones that differ from traditional fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas,” Prigge explained. “They are renewable, cleaner and have lower environmental impacts, contributing to a more sustainable future.”

Not only do alternative energy sources benefit the planet, but the development of these alternative sources also benefit the economy—especially for people who are looking for jobs in green energy fields. “Among the most common alternative energy sources are solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass and geothermal power,” says Prigge. “These alternative energy sources reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security and promote economic development through job creation.”

What are some of the most common alternative energy sources, and what are their advantages?

“Solar power is becoming increasingly cost-competitive due to advances in solar cell technology and economies of scale,” Prigge told us. “Moreover, wind energy has become one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources, with modern wind turbines capable of generating electricity even at low wind speeds.”

The advantages of alternative energy sources go far beyond cost-competition, of course—and the savvy investor will understand that their contribution can deliver benefits far beyond the annual return. “By embracing alternative energy sources, we can diversify our energy mix, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.”

How does sustainable investing directly benefit alternative energy sources?

“Sustainable investing plays a crucial role in supporting alternative energy sources,” says Prigge. “As an established energy consultant and owner of a sustainability consulting firm, I can confirm that investing in companies focused on renewable energy solutions helps drive innovation and fund new projects.”

These innovative projects help to produce both energy and economic growth—which could prove to benefit both the environment and the investor long-term. “These investments not only have the potential for strong financial returns,” Prigge explains, ”but also contribute to a more sustainable future.”

How does sustainable investing indirectly benefit alternative energy sources?

“Sustainable investing both directly and indirectly supports the development and adoption of alternative energy sources,” says Prigge, “because you are supporting companies and initiatives that help to create a more environmentally responsible and sustainable ecosystem.

By investing in a company that promotes permaculture, for example, you are casting a vote towards companies that work towards renewability—which also benefits renewable energy. “Permaculture encourages sustainable land usage and resource management,” Prigge explains, “which in turn fosters an environment conducive to the growth of renewable energy projects.”

This is one reason to consider sustainable investing index funds, which allow you to spread your investment dollars across a variety of high-achieving companies working towards long-term environmental progress.

“Sustainable investing index funds are an excellent option for those looking to indirectly support alternative energy,” Prigge told us. “These funds invest in a diversified portfolio of companies committed to ESG criteria, including those involved in renewable energy. By choosing sustainable investing index funds, investors can contribute to the broader sustainability movement while potentially benefiting from the long-term growth of responsible companies.”