ESG and SRI Investing: Characteristics and Investment Practice in Poland, Europe and Beyond

The chapter is dedicated to the analysis of the development and significance of socially responsible investingSocially responsible investingSRI (SRI) and ESG investingESG investing in the global, European and Polish markets. ESG, as a pivotal trend within the overarching concept of SRI, integrates environmental, social and corporate governance factors into the investment process, with the objective of achieving both financial returns and a positive social and environmental impact. The chapter provides a detailed analysis of the scale of SRI investmentsSRI investments in Europe, indicating the early stage of development of the Polish financial market. Moreover, it identifies barriers to the development of the SRI market in Poland, including low awareness of ESG criteria among investors, a lack of reporting standards, and limited institutional support. The chapter also addresses investment strategies within SRI, including ESG integration, sector exclusions, thematic investingThematic investing and shareholder engagementShareholder engagement. The text also introduces new instruments, such as green cryptocurrenciesGreen cryptocurrencies, and critical voices, mainly from the American market, regarding the effectiveness and consequences of implementing ESG. The significance of regulatory frameworks, particularly the recently introduced EU ESRS reporting standards, in fostering transparency and trust, prerequisites for the advancement of the SRI market in Poland, is underscored.