Defining and Measuring Green Investments

OECD Working Papers on Finance, Insurance and Private Pensions, No. 24

54 Pages Posted: 7 Mar 2016 Last revised: 1 Jul 2022

See all articles by Georg Inderst

Georg Inderst

Inderst Advisory

Christopher Kaminker

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)

Fiona Stewart

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)

Date Written: August 1, 2012

Abstract

This definitional, stocktaking paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the concepts and definitions related to "green" investments that are currently used in the market place. The purpose of this research is not to take a position on a specific definition but rather to explore what is being generally used, whether there are commonalties and inconsistencies, and what lessons can be drawn from this analysis.

The paper examines how "green" investments are defined across different asset classes (equities, bonds and alternative investments), as well as providing some estimates of the size of these markets. The paper concludes that, given the lack of consensus on the usage and definition of the term "green", the most productive approach could be to take an open and dynamic stance towards definitions and standards, with international institutions and governments adopting a "governance approach to green investment".

Keywords: pension funds, green investments, green bonds, environmental, social and governance (ESG), green infrastructure, climate change investment

JEL Classification: G15, G18, G23, G28, J26

Suggested Citation

Inderst, Georg and Kaminker, Christopher and Stewart, Fiona, Defining and Measuring Green Investments (August 1, 2012). OECD Working Papers on Finance, Insurance and Private Pensions, No. 24, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2742085 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2742085

Georg Inderst (Contact Author)

Inderst Advisory ( email )

4 Evangelist Road
GB London, NW5 1UB
United Kingdom

Christopher Kaminker

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) ( email )

2 rue Andre Pascal
Paris Cedex 16, 75775
France

Fiona Stewart

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) ( email )

2 rue Andre Pascal
Paris Cedex 16, 75775
France

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