Synopsis
Low-Carbon Investingby J. Patrick Costello, CFP®This book is for people who understand that carbon emissions are driving the dangerous phenomenon of global warming, and who wish to do their part in mitigating this risk by lowering the carbon footprint of their investments - without sacrificing investment performance. The most important new trend in investing today goes by the acronym E-S-G, which involves evaluating a company’s investment potential by scrutinizing its Environmental, Social and Governance practices. Within ESG strategies, analysts have developed tools for measuring the “carbon footprint” of companies and funds. Morningstar, Inc. just launched a Carbon-Risk assessment tool that measures how vulnerable a company or fund is to the inevitable transition from a fossil-fuel based economy to a lower-carbon economy. There is a looming problem: As so often happens, ESG has been manipulated by some financial firms to camouflage a continued reliance on fossil fuel company investments, in a process known as "Green Washing." This book will help investors make sure the high performance funds included in their portfolios use an ESG process that emphasizes fossil fuel divestment and carbon footprint reduction!But finding low-carbon, high performance funds is not the end of the investment process. The next challenge is building a portfolio: selecting a strategically diversified group of six to twelve funds that together match the unique risk tolerance and goals of each investor. To help investors navigate the financial services industry, Patrick also explains:•The attributes of different kinds of investment vehicles•How to build diversified, risk-calibrated investment portfolios•How to bypass financial propaganda and stay focused on long term investment goals•The differences in expertise and accountability offered by various types of financial professionals•How to avoid hidden fees and unnecessary investment limitations
About the Author
Patrick is a Certified Financial Planner(TM) and Chartered Life Underwriter at Green River Financial Services. He entered the Financial Services industry in 1994. Green River Financial Services delivers financial planning services to the community, focusing on sustainable investing, risk management, asset accumulation and careful planning. Critical elements of his approach to financial planning: Patrick and his firm use sustainability research and ESG principles when designing and managing low-carbon, diversified investment portfolios. When managing portfolios, care is taken to limit taxes by avoiding unnecessary trades and using index funds when appropriate. Green River works with business owners to lower taxes by helping them maximize deductible contributions to SEP IRAs and 401(k) Plans. During more than 20 years in the financial services industry, Patrick has helped a wide variety of clients in the following areas: Helping young people develop effective saving habits and plan for children and first home purchases, Working with pre-retirees as they prepare to make decisions about inheritances, pensions and retirement plan rollovers, Helping retirees manage their income needs and create estate plans for children and grandchildren. Patrick is passionate about helping investors better align their investment strategies with their personal ethics and values. His book Green Investing: More Than Being Socially Responsible delivers an important message - busy investors can accomplish this realignment without making a financial sacrifice, or needing to develop specialized investing expertise. He is deeply involved with his local community in the fight against the harmful impacts of climate change and global warming. The worldwide divestment movement, which encourages institutions and individuals to divest from fossil fuel stocks and reinvest in clean, renewable sources of energy, is an important part of that fight. Patrick volunteers with the climate advocacy group 350Marin.org and other local non-profits to help the community lower its collective carbon footprint. He has contributed to the Fossil Fuel Divestment efforts of local groups such as Sustainable San Rafael, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce's Green Committee, 350PaloAlto and FossilFreeCA.org. In the local community, he has presented fossil fuel-free investing options and helped with climate change awareness events at College of Marin, the Environmental Forum of Marin, Fairfax EcoFest, the Bioneers Conference, the Green Festival and Marin's first Sustainable Enterprise Conference.
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