Responsible investing in a changing world: purpose and practice

In this episode, Kate Webber, Chief Solutions & Technology Officer at the PRI, is joined by Aniket Shah, Managing Director at Jefferies, to examine the core purpose of responsible investing and what it truly means in practice.Together, they explore whether the industry has lost sight of its original mission, how investors should think about real-world risks and opportunities, and why long-term thinking remains central to delivering value for beneficiaries.OverviewResponsible investing has evolved significantly over the past two decades, but questions remain around its core purpose. Is it about solving global challenges, or simply about making better investment decisions?This episode reframes responsible investing as fundamentally about improving returns by incorporating factors often overlooked in traditional analysis, particularly externalities and intangible assets.The discussion also highlights the importance of grounding investment decisions in the realities of the real economy, rather than abstract frameworks or idealised outcomes.Detailed coverageRe-centering the purpose of responsible investingAniket argues that responsible investing is, at its core, about enhancing risk-adjusted returns. While impact and broader societal goals matter, the mainstream role of investors is to make better decisions by incorporating a wider set of financially relevant factors.Externalities and intangiblesThe conversation explores how climate change and other externalities are increasingly being priced into markets, alongside intangible factors such as governance and human capital. These elements, while harder to measure, are critical drivers of long-term performance.The real economy and long-term valueInvestors are encouraged to look beyond financial markets and consider how businesses operate in the real world. Understanding how technologies, energy systems and structural shifts evolve over time is key to identifying long-term opportunities.Avoiding dogma and embracing nuanceA key theme is the need for investors to stay informed, avoid overly simplistic frameworks, and continually reassess their assumptions. Engaging with opposing viewpoints is highlighted as a valuable way to strengthen decision-making.Rethinking KPIs and performance metricsRather than focusing solely on traditional ESG metrics, the episode emphasises the importance of human capital - including employee engagement, retention and culture - as leading indicators of resilience and performance.The role of investors todayUltimately, investors’ responsibility is to deliver for their beneficiaries. By incorporating long-term risks and opportunities into their analysis, they can contribute to a more resilient and forward-looking financial system.To learn more, see our Investment case database here: https://public.unpri.org/investment-tools/investment-case-databaseChapters00:00 – Introduction and guest overview01:45 – What is the true purpose of responsible investing?03:30 – Externalities, intangibles and investment decision-making06:30 – Real economy shifts and long-term investing10:45 – How fiduciaries should approach complex risks15:00 – Avoiding dogma and improving decision-making18:30 – The value of debate and diverse perspectives20:45 – Rethinking KPIs: human capital and culture24:30 – Linking performance to long-term resilience26:30 – Final reflections: the responsibility of investorsDisclaimerThis podcast and material referenced herein is provided for information only. It is not intended to be investment, legal, tax or other advice, nor is it intended to be relied upon in making an investment or other decision. PRI Association is not responsible for any decision made or action taken based on information on this podcast. Listeners retain sole discretion over whether and how to use the information contained herein. PRI Association is not responsible for and does not endorse third parties featured on in this podcast or any third-party comments, content or other resources that may be included or referenced herein. Unless otherwise stated, podcast content does not necessarily represent the views of signatories to the Principles for Responsible Investment. All information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy or timeliness, or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. PRI Association is committed to compliance with all applicable laws. Copyright © PRI Association 2025. All rights reserved. This content may not be reproduced, or used for any other purpose, without the prior written consent of PRI Association.