A short history of Responsible Investing

25 Years of investing for profit and the planet

Making sense of the sustainability movement can feel like wading through a bowl of alphabet soup. From ESG to PRI, there are plenty of acronyms — some overlapping, some complementary — all shaping how business and finance evolve. This timeline shows how sustainability has progressed from a noble idea to a more structured and regulated system, guiding us toward a fairer and more sustainable future.

Why does it matter for trustees?

Trustees are legally required under Regulation 28 to consider ESG risks when making investment decisions. South Africa is steadily aligning with global standards like IFRS S1 and S2, which means funds that ignore ESG may soon be non-compliant and uncompetitive. Members are also becoming more aware and may challenge trustees who invest in companies that damage the environment, exploit workers, or harm communities.