The SRI/ESG Primer is an introductory online resource developed by SRI-Connect to explain the foundations of Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing. It provides background on key concepts, motivations, strategies and terminology used within sustainable investment. The resource is relevant to finance professionals seeking a practical understanding of how sustainability considerations are incorporated into investment analysis and decision-making.

Organisation behind the resource

SRI/ESG Primer is maintained by SRI-Connect Ltd, an online platform focused on sustainable and responsible investment research, industry information and communications. SRI-Connect operates as a resource hub and networking platform for investors, companies and advisers involved in sustainable investment and ESG-related activities.

What the resource does

• Provides a basic introduction to Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) and ESG investing.
• Explains commonly used terminology within the sustainable investment industry.
• Describes the historical development of responsible investment approaches.
• Outlines key motivations for SRI, including ethical considerations, corporate improvement and investment performance.
• Explains different sustainable investment strategies and approaches.
• Introduces the role of environmental, social and governance factors in investment practice.
• Serves as an educational reference for individuals new to the sustainable investment sector.

Target audience

The primary audience is:

• Investment professionals seeking introductory knowledge of ESG and sustainable investment.
• Asset managers and investment analysts.
• Financial advisers.
• Corporate sustainability professionals.
• Researchers and students studying responsible investment.
• Individuals new to the sustainable finance sector.

Relevance to finance professionals

• ESG analysis – Explains how environmental, social and governance considerations can be incorporated into investment processes and security analysis.
• Risk assessment – Introduces the rationale for considering sustainability issues as factors that may influence company performance, investment outcomes and long-term value creation.
• Investment context – Provides historical and conceptual background on the evolution of responsible investment, helping practitioners understand how ESG approaches have developed and why they are used.
• Practice and implementation – Describes sustainable investment motivations, strategies and terminology commonly used by investors, supporting communication with clients, stakeholders and investment teams.
• Sustainable finance understanding – Helps finance professionals distinguish between SRI, ESG and related responsible investment approaches, providing foundational knowledge for integrating sustainability considerations into investment practice.