Values Investors Podcast | Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, Ethical, Impact, Sustainable Investments

Future of Green Energy Investing

09.19.2023 - By Bill Holliday, CFPPlay

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Investing in green energy involves investing in companies that generate energy from renewable sources. These sources include solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, geothermal, and marine energy.

Investing in green energy can support the development of clean and sustainable energy solutions. It can also help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and foster economic growth and job creation in the clean energy sector.

Renewable energy has outperformed fossil fuel over the last 10 years, generating returns of 192.3% compared to 97.2%. In the past 5 years, renewable energy investments have continued to yield higher returns and have been less volatile than fossil fuel portfolios.

Why Green Energy is Thriving:

Climate Change and Environmental Consciousness: The global effort to combat climate change is driving a significant shift toward renewable energy sources. People and governments are becoming increasingly conscious of the need to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.

Political Support: Governments at various levels are providing support and incentives for the development of green energy projects. This political backing ensures the continued growth of the industry.

Falling Costs: One of the most compelling reasons behind the success of renewable energy is the decreasing costs associated with technologies like solar and wind energy. As the cost of production drops, renewable energy becomes increasingly competitive with traditional fossil fuels.

Public Demand: The growing demand for cleaner energy sources is influencing investment decisions. Consumers are increasingly choosing green energy options, putting pressure on companies to transition away from fossil fuels.

Technological Advances: Ongoing technological advancements are driving innovation in the green energy sector. These innovations make renewable energy more efficient and affordable, further fueling its growth.

International Commitments: Agreements like the Paris Agreement are pushing countries to adopt cleaner energy sources to meet their environmental commitments. This global pressure ensures a continued focus on green energy.

Economic Opportunities: Shifting towards green energy not only aligns with environmental goals but also creates economic opportunities. New jobs are emerging in sectors like manufacturing, installation, and research, offsetting some of the job losses in fossil fuel industries.

Investment Options:

Investing in green energy can take several forms, depending on your goals and values. Here are some investment options to consider:

Direct Investment in Energy Companies: Invest directly in companies involved in renewable energy production, such as those manufacturing solar panels or wind turbines.

Sustainable Funds: Consider mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that focus on environmentally responsible investments. These funds often screen out fossil fuel companies while including green energy firms.

Impact Investing: Choose funds that actively engage with companies to encourage sustainability and responsible practices. Impact investing aims to create a positive impact on both financial returns and environmental outcomes.

Carbon Offsetting: Invest in companies that offset their carbon emissions or have sustainability targets. This can be done through engaging with such companies or by holding them in your portfolio.

Green Bonds: Explore green bonds, which are fixed-income securities designed to fund environmentally friendly projects. These bonds can be found in mutual funds, ETFs, or as individual investments.

Diversified Portfolio:

Your approach to green energy investing should align with your broader financial goals and risk tolerance. You can choose to focus exclusively on green energy, or incorporate it as part of a diversified portfolio.

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