Trump’s hostile attitude is making investors more favourable to ESG
Research by the Association of Investment Companies shows that Donald Trump’s opposition to ESG has actually made one in five UK private investors more favourable to it, while most remain indifferent and only a small minority view it less positively. Overall, 53% of investors now consider ESG factors in their decisions, up from last year, with interest strongest among younger people and parents. Although ESG investing has not regained the peak popularity it saw in 2021, sentiment has improved modestly. Still, scepticism persists: most investors prioritise returns over ESG, and many worry that such strategies restrict profitable opportunities in energy or defence. Concerns about greenwashing remain high, but trust has risen since the Financial Conduct Authority introduced sustainability labels, particularly among those who already hold ESG-related investments.
