The Sustainable Investing Roadmap series was introduced in 2025 by the US SIF Foundation to support financial advisers and wealth managers in incorporating sustainable, responsible and impact investing into their professional practices.

The series provides a structured educational framework covering sustainable investment concepts, client engagement, investment selection, portfolio construction and shareholder stewardship. Its purpose is to help financial professionals understand ESG considerations and apply them within investment advice and wealth management processes.

Methodology and approach

The series uses a sequential, practice-oriented approach organised around three stages: Learn, Apply and Connect. It combines explanatory guidance, investment frameworks, worked examples, client discussion prompts, checklists and references to external research and industry resources.

Rather than conducting a quantitative benchmark or ranking investment managers, the publications synthesise existing sustainable investment practices and translate them into practical steps for advisers.

Coverage across the series

Part I – Learn (2025) introduces sustainable investing, ESG integration, fiduciary duties and client discovery. It explains how advisers can assess client preferences, risk tolerance and suitable sustainable investment strategies.

Part II – Apply (2025) focuses on implementation through asset allocation, security selection, sustainable investment policy statements and ESG data analysis. It also addresses ESG ratings, greenwashing, greenhushing and the evaluation of sustainability claims.

Part III – Connect (2026) covers shareholder advocacy, stewardship, values-aligned investing and impact measurement. It provides approaches for discussing sustainable investing with clients and connecting with relevant professional networks.

Relevance for finance professionals

Financial advisers, wealth managers and investment practitioners can use the series as a reference for incorporating ESG factors and client sustainability preferences into financial planning and investment processes.

Its practical materials support client profiling, investment strategy selection, portfolio evaluation, stewardship activities and communication about sustainability-related investment decisions.