Nearly 4 in 5 ultra-rich Singaporeans engage in sustainable investing

They are motivated to "do good" and earn profits at the same time.

Nearly four in five (79%) of Singapore's high net worth investors (HNWI) are currently engaged in sustainable investing, whilst 31% have a good understanding of the concept, Standard Chartered Private Bank revealed.

According to its report Asia Sustainable Investing Review 2018, investors in Singapore had the strongest understanding of sustainable investing in Asia. About 64% of them were also highly motivated to do good and earn a profit at the same time by making sustainable investments.

This was in contrast to Hong Kong and China where 69% and 71% of investors respectively stated they were making sustainable investments to achieve better returns.

As a result, Singapore investors checked the transparency of the reporting on the investment and its track record of positive financial returns, the study revealed. 

Moreover, about 85% of those currently involved in philanthropy would be willing to consider shifting their allocation to sustainable investments. "This could be facilitated by offering investment opportunities with demonstrated reach and impact, in areas aligned with their charitable causes," the bank said.