ESG investing has made little impact on the green energy transition so far. Why is that?

Professor Andy Hira recently penned an article on The Conversation, which gives a brief overview of the challenges associated with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing and its impact on the slow transition to clean energy.

The article summarizes some of the findings and arguments found in his new book, The Smoke and Mirrors Game of Global CSR Reporting. In the book, Hira examines why Western corporations spending an estimated $20 billion annually on corporate social responsibility efforts have little to show for it. In searching for solutions, Hira focuses on the potentially pivotal role of socially responsible investment (SRI) decisions.

The current Chair of SFU’s Department of Political Science, Andy Hira spent the first decade of his career working in think tanks and various U.S. government agencies, including conducting auditing work and investigative work for the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Trained as a political economist, Hira has published a wide variety of studies related to sustainable development, global trade and finance, industrial policy, climate change and corporate social responsibility. Hira has worked with UNCTAD and is the third Visiting Professor for Global Affairs Canada.