Pandemic drives Singaporeans to invest more responsibly, but knowledge barriers remain

p>THE Covid-19 pandemic has spurred Singaporeans to invest more responsibly, by spotlighting critical sustainability issues and the potential impact of their investments on such issues. Yet significant barriers, not least of which is the performance of sustainable investments, are preventing them from investing even more responsibly.

These were among the key findings from a survey of 1,005 affluent to high-net-worth investors in Singapore aged 25-54, conducted in February and March 2021 by wealth management group St James's Place Wealth Management Asia (SJP Asia).

The study, "Wealthy, Healthy Planet - The Power of Personal Wealth in Sustainable Development", examined trends, opportunities and challenges of sustainable investing in Singapore. It found that there was a growing motivation among Singaporeans to invest responsibly - with the number increasing in the higher income brackets - revealing the growing influence of private wealth in sustainability.