
Investors who used to feel guilty about having their retirement savings invested in pariah companies that did not reflect their values now have a choice. They can channel their investments into “ESG funds,” which supposedly focus on companies that stack up well against a list of Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria, and rest assured that the companies they own a stake in are environmentally responsible, operate according to high ethical standards, and act as responsible citizens of their communities.
Or can they?