Warning for ESG investors: Your data might be letting you down

MONEY managers that have pushed more than US$30 trillion into sustainable investments are often basing their decisions on limited and misleading data, according to a new report.

While there's more environmental, social and governance, or ESG, data available than ever before, most of it is focused on avoiding risk rather than chasing opportunities, says the report from Generation Investment Management, the US$23 billion firm co-founded by former US vice-president Al Gore.

The warning for investors - you may not be getting the full picture.