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Sustainable Investment @ Helvetia | Investment Analysis | 👩🏼💼WomenInInvestment

👩💼 Can the mainstreaming of sustainability help with gender equality in finance?   Some time ago, I asked here about the perception of a female dominance in sustainable finance. The finance industry is still predominantely male-centric - especially in more senior positions. When we look at #sustainablefinance, we tend to see much more women, even in leadership roles. As promised, I did some reading on this topic, to find facts to my, unitl then, unfounded perceptions.   In 2021, BNP Paribas shed light on this, based on interviews with female sustainable finance professionals. To me, especially the below points stood out:   ◾ Sustainable finance isn't short of women, even at the top ranks.   ◾ Yet, it's critical to note that the seniority associated with 'Head Sustainable Investment' roles and the like can be put into perspective due to their typically non-involvement in vital management-related decision-making processes.   ◾ As reasons for more women in sustainable finance, gender-stereotypes are named, like a "friendlier" environment or more focus on collaboration.   ◾ Besides that, women entered this field opportunistically, because men saw it as a less lucrative or a lower-tier sector of the investment industry.   ◾ Given the emerging significance of sustainable investing and increasing demand for #STEM skills, the gender-balance could be shifting again.   ◾ Alternatively, women in finance could be pushed into sustainability as a result of it being perceived as more feminine.   What do I make of these points? 🤔   I love having more female peers since focusing on sustainability. But reading it might not just be my skepticism when I, on one hand, doubt the actual acknowledging of the value of #womeninfinance, and, on the other hand, suspect to already see men swoop in as the prestige of sustainability roles rises dampens my enthusiasm.   What are your thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments. Also, if you have additional sources with statistics or facts on this topic, please feel free to share.   #genderequality #ecogendergap

Lea Schøning

Sustainability Manager for Real Assets @ Swiss Life Asset Managers

7mo

The key points match what I've observed. Your idea that the percentage could shift with more prestige is interesting. Let's also keep an eye on how participant numbers in sustainability degree programs and training courses evolve.

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