Companies in the financial services sector have been discussing environment, social and governance (ESG) issues, according to GlobalData, which discovered a 36% increase in the mention of ‘ESG’ in global company filings between H1 2020 and H1 2021. The leading data and analytics company also notes that sentiments around ESG have increased in financial services, registering a 7% rise between H1 2020 and H1 2021.

Vishwas Vyas, Analyst at GlobalData, says: “Consumers are becoming ever more aware of environmental issues, and this is pushing companies to act in accordance. This has been especially so during the COVID-19 pandemic, and sentiments around ‘ESG’ are at a higher level in 2021* compared to pre-COVID-19.”

As per GlobalData’s Filing Analytics Database, mentions of the ‘ESG’ theme, including key words ‘Environment’, ‘Ethics’ and Diversity and Inclusion’ have all grown since H1 2016. There was also an increase in all ESG-related themes.

Vyas continues: “In particular, major tech firms have been discussing ESG extensively. FAANG** companies saw a 44% increase in ESG mentions in H1 2021, as compared to H1 2020. Although mentions have risen in all aspects of ESG, the environmental factor is being discussed more than social or governance aspects.”

Vyas concludes: “ESG-based investments have gained momentum in the market. The corporate world is soon realizing the link between sustainability and profitability, and investments in companies with high-performing ESG metrics are likely to rise.”

*Until 20 September 2021

** Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google (Alphabet)