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This week marks a significant milestone, as we gather for our first-ever sustainability conference dedicated to exploring the role of ESG in our industry.
It raises the question should events like this become a more prominent fixture in our professional landscape? Are we, as a community, doing enough to raise awareness and incorporate sustainability into our practices, or is there more we could be doing to foster change?
The conference itself highlights how important these conversations are. It’s not just about the technicalities of ESG investment vehicles or the latest regulatory changes; it’s about understanding how financial planning can contribute to a broader societal shift. Can events like this help us better understand our role in tackling issues like climate change and social inequality? Perhaps. More importantly, they allow us to step outside of our usual day-to-day focus and think about the long-term consequences of our financial decisions.
However, as we gather and discuss these ideas, there’s also the question of how far-reaching the impact of these conversations can be. Are we just talking in an echo chamber? Are we, as planners, truly equipped to make ESG more than just a niche offering for a select group of clients? And if not, how can we move beyond surface-level conversations to make sustainability a core part of financial planning?
One argument that often comes up is the idea of choice. ESG doesn’t have to be for everyone, and it’s true that some clients may not prioritise these values in their investment strategies. But should it be the default option? Should we be doing more to educate clients about the potential benefits of ESG, not just for their financial futures but for society as a whole? These aren’t easy questions to answer, but that’s what makes them worth exploring.
As the conference unfolds, the energy and passion around sustainability are palpable. But it also raises the question: how do we keep this momentum going once the event is over? Is it enough to attend a conference and feel inspired for a few days, or do we need to build something more sustainable—pun intended—into our professional development and client conversations? Perhaps more events like this, integrated into our annual planning cycles, could be the answer. Or perhaps it’s about something deeper, a cultural shift within our profession where sustainability isn’t just an optional extra but a guiding principle.
At the end of the day, what’s clear is that the ESG conversation is far from over, and this conference is just the beginning. We’re not here to prescribe solutions or force everyone into a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we’re here to listen, learn, and question how we can each play a part in a much bigger movement.