The report presents the results of an online survey that was conducted from 26 May to 5 June 2015. Some 1,325 members of CFA Institute who are portfolio managers or research analysts responded to the survey for a response rate of 3 percent.

Key findings of the survey are:

• 63% percent of survey respondents said they consider ESG information in the investment decision making process to help manage investment risks, 44% include ESG evaluation on demand of their clients/investors, and 38% see ESG performance as a proxy for management quality.
• Board accountability, human capital, and executive compensation were cited as the issues most important to investment analysis and decision-making.
• In the Asia-Pacific region, ESG issues are considered by 78% of the respondents; investors in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region follow with 74%; in the Americas region still more than half (59%) consider ESG factors.
• 57% of respondents integrate ESG into the whole investment analysis and decision-making process; 38% use best-in-class positive alignment. 36% use ESG analysis for exclusionary screening.  
• 61% of survey respondents say that public companies should be required to report at least annually on ESG factors, and 69% of these believe that these disclosures should be subject to independent verification.

Please click to access the full report on the CFA Institute's website. A webinar reviewing the findings is archived on YouTube.