30.10.2024Sustainable Finance Literacy: A Key Factor in Impact Investing

These two interconnected studies, conducted by researchers from ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, explore the concept of Sustainable Finance Literacy (SFL) and its impact on investment decisions.
Both studies highlight the crucial role of SFL in promoting responsible investing and offer insights into how education can shape investor behavior.

The first study introduces the concept of Sustainable Finance Literacy and examines its influence on investment choices. Researchers Markus Leippold, Massimo Filippini, and Tobias Wekhof surveyed over 2,000 Swiss households to measure SFL and its impact on investment decisions.
The findings suggest that despite growing interest in sustainable investing, many retail investors lack the specific knowledge needed to navigate this complex landscape. This knowledge gap could leave investors vulnerable to greenwashing or unable to align their investments effectively with their values.

The researchers assessed three types of literacy:

1.    Financial literacy - using standard questions about interest rates, inflation, and diversification
2.    Sustainability literacy - testing knowledge of environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability
3.    Sustainable finance literacy - assessing understanding of ESG investing concepts

Additionally, they measured "sustainable finance awareness" through open-ended questions analyzed using natural language processing techniques.

Key Findings

• Low SFL levels: While respondents demonstrated high general financial literacy, their sustainable finance literacy was notably low. On average, participants answered only 2.37 out of 8 sustainable finance questions correctly.
• Impact on investment choices: Higher SFL was significantly associated with owning sustainable financial products. A one-point increase in SFL score correlated with a 2.8% higher probability of owning sustainable investments.
• Awareness matters: Respondents with higher sustainable finance awareness were 5% more likely to own sustainable products.
• Gender differences: Interestingly, while multiple-choice questions revealed a gender gap with women performing worse than men, this difference disappeared when open-ended questions were used.
• Other influential factors: Wealth, previous charitable donations, university education, and climate change concerns were also positively associated with sustainable investing.

How to enhance the understanding and accessibility of sustainable finance for retail investors?

Increasing transparency in regulatory efforts and establishing legally binding standards can significantly lower the costs associated with comprehending sustainable finance.
Additionally, implementing educational initiatives that provide easily accessible information will further empower investors and boost sustainable finance literacy.

Finally, the introduction of clear labels and standards for sustainable products, like those for energy efficiency or organic food, will allow investors to make more informed decisions. Together, these strategies will foster a more informed and engaged investment community.

The second study builds on the first by exploring how targeted SFL education affects investment decisions. Through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and an incentivized choice experiment, the researchers demonstrate that SFL education can significantly influence investor behavior towards more sustainable choices.

The study employed a five-step online experiment:

1. Attitude elicitation via an open-ended question
2. Random assignment to one of three information treatments (SFL, Awareness, Placebo)
3. Incentivized choice experiment allocating 1000 CHF among four mutual funds with varying sustainability levels
4. SFL questions
5. Socioeconomic survey

The researchers used a hurdle Poisson model to analyze both the decision to invest (extensive margin) and the investment amount (intensive margin).

Results of implementing an SFL program

The implementation of the SFL program resulted in a notable improvement in literacy among participants, with scores rising by approximately 1 point on a 5-point scale. This enhanced literacy contributed to a greater understanding of sustainable finance, leading to increased sustainable investment behaviors. Specifically, participants exposed to the program were 6 percentage points more likely to invest in the most sustainable fund, indicating a positive shift towards responsible investment choices.

Additionally, the SFL treatment effectively reduced investments in less sustainable funds. This decline reflects a growing awareness and preference for more sustainable options among participants. Interestingly, the treatment's effects were particularly pronounced among investors with pre-existing green attitudes, showing that those already inclined towards sustainability experienced up to 50% larger benefits from the program.

Moreover, the program not only improved the accuracy of sustainability perceptions regarding different funds but also curtailed return-chasing behavior. Participants exhibited about a 20% reduction in chasing high returns, particularly for the most sustainable funds. This suggests that the SFL treatment not only encourages investment in sustainable options but also fosters a more discerning approach to investing, prioritizing sustainability over short-term gains.

Implications and conclusions

• The study's findings have significant implications for the financial industry and policymakers:
• Effective Educational Interventions: The research demonstrates that targeted educational programs can effectively increase SFL and promote sustainable investing.
• Alignment of Values and Investments: Improved SFL helps investors, especially those with green attitudes, better align their values with their investment choices.
• Realistic Assessments: Enhancing SFL may lead to more accurate evaluations of fund sustainability and reduce biases such as return-chasing.
• Policy Recommendations: Financial institutions and policymakers should consider incorporating SFL education to support informed sustainable investment decisions.

These two studies highlight the critical importance of sustainable finance literacy (SFL) in shaping investment behavior. The first study reveals a significant gap in SFL among retail investors, while the second demonstrates that targeted education can effectively bridge this gap and influence investment decisions.

Together, they provide compelling evidence that improving SFL can empower investors to make more informed and sustainable choices. As ESG considerations become increasingly important in finance, these findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and financial institutions. By addressing the SFL gap through education and clear standards, we can foster a financial landscape that balances returns with long-term sustainability goals, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable financial future.

Filippini, Massimo and Leippold, Markus and Wekhof, Tobias (2024)
The Impact of Sustainable Finance Literacy on Investment Decisions
Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper No. 24-57

Filippini, Massimo and Leippold, Markus and Wekhof, Tobias (2022)
Sustainable Finance Literacy and the Determinants of Sustainable Investing
Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper No. 22-02

Policy Brief
Sustainable Finance Literacy Training: Impact on Investment Decisions (PDF, 1 MB)
Filippini, Massimo and Leippold, Markus and Wekhof, Tobias

Initiative in Sustainable Finance News