Chris Ito and Georges Dyer go “beyond carbon” to discuss topics relating to climate change, net zero, ESG, DEI, justice and the benefits and challenges of sustainable investing.
Beyond Carbon Podcast - Episode 12
Jeff Gitterman: Pragmatism over Polarization in Long-Term Investing
Sustainable investing veteran, Jeff Gitterman, joins hosts Chris and Georges to discuss bridging divides in ESG investing and climate change debates. Gitterman advocates pragmatism – finding common ground between proponents and skeptics. Key highlights include investment opportunities in climate solutions like infrastructure, recognizing physical risks as warning signs, and widening the sustainable investing tent to diverse viewpoints. While addressing challenges, Gitterman underscores the necessity of open dialogue, consensus-building, and reframing ESG around stakeholder capitalism over political divisions. Listeners gain insights into navigating complexities, advancing sustainable investing through understanding, and meeting investors where they are.
Guest
Jeff Gitterman – CEO, Gitterman Asset Management
Jeff Gitterman is a pioneering leader in sustainable investing. With over 30 years of experience as a financial advisor, he is the Co-Founder of Gitterman Wealth Management where he created the SMART Investing Solutions for climate-aware portfolio allocation. He launched Gitterman Asset Management in 2020, focusing on ESG strategies and thought leadership for financial and institutional markets. Jeff co-hosts TheIMPACT TV, contributes to major media, and champions the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Beyond investing, Jeff serves on the board of the Child Health Institute of New Jersey and supports autism awareness.
Conversation
- Highlights the importance of finding common ground between proponents and skeptics of ESG investing and reframing the ESG/sustainable investing debate around stakeholder capitalism vs shareholder primacy, rather than getting mired in political divisions over “values.”
- Explains the critical role and significant opportunities in the climate solution space around infrastructure investment. Physical risks associated with climate change act as a catalyst for investors to recognize and act on these opportunities.
- Advocates the need for more clarity and consistency in messaging and labeling around ESG investing to reduce confusion, especially from regulators like the SEC.
- Urges pragmatism in the face of climate challenges – recognizing the complexities and divisions in society, investors need to meet people and other investors where they are and be open to listening to differing viewpoints.
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Hosts
Chris Ito – CEO, FFI Holdings
Chris is the CEO of FFI Solutions and a member of the board of its parent company FFI Holdings. Drawing upon his 30 years of experience in the financial services and asset management industries, Chris conceived and managed the launch of FFI Energy Transition Strategies, a family of thematic strategies that provide investors with exposure to the structural shift currently occurring in the global economy. He is currently the Co-chair of the Advisory Board of the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at The Ohio State University.
Georges Dyer – Co-Founder & Executive Director, IEN
Georges Dyer is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Crane Institute of Sustainability, and leads its flagship initiative, the Intentional Endowments Network (IEN), which supports endowments in aligning investment policies with institutional mission, values, and sustainability goals. For over 20 years he has been engaged in solutions-based, whole-system approaches to sustainability. Georges serves on the Board of Change Is Simple, a non-profit bringing project-based sustainability education into classrooms in eastern Massachusetts.