America’s Political Right Has a New Enemy No. 1: ESG Investors
The popular investing strategy is drawing new partisan attacks ahead of the US midterm elections
Heading into the hotly contested midterm elections, the American political right has a new rallying cry: Down with ESG.
Conservatives have identified the popular investing strategy, which accounts for environmental, social and governance risks, as part of a broader narrative about left-wing overreach and “wokeness” run amok. Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks calls it “corporate cancel culture.” Behind the rhetoric lie policies designed to sap the momentum of one of Wall Street’s most successful initiatives in recent years, now worth $35 trillion globally. If it works, it will firmly ensconce ESG in the culture wars, galvanize voters and weaken the resolve of big asset managers to act on climate change and other big, societal issues.