Written By and Posted on Behalf of:
Ian Sylcox, Bentley University student
I recently had the opportunity to attend the CFA Society Boston’s Annual Sustainable Investing Conference for 2023. As a senior at Bentley University, the conference was an eye-opening experience in the realm of how sustainability can be implemented and integrated into the world of finance.
From the opening keynote from Michael Trotsky to the final panel on Carbon Markets, the conference provided in-depth insight on different topics that ranged from how to integrate and encourage sustainable practices, like the CFA Boston’s DEI code, along with other increasingly relevant issues like natural capital and addressing how “green” electric vehicles are. Being an Economic-Finance and Environmental Sustainability double major these topics and panels opened a world of information into the link between these two entities that I have continually gained interest in. One of the panels that struck me was the first panel on Natural Capital. Gabriel Thoumi, Gillian Mollod, and Hugh Bromley presented the fascinating connection between biodiversity loss and how this can have grave impacts on future economic outlooks and growth, even through the loss of a small insect like the bee, which produces 80% of all flowered plants. I am currently enrolled in an environmental science class that has discussed the ideas of biodiversity loss and natural capital but this panel truly emphasized the intimate connection that natural capital and the economy have with each other and the immense challenges that need immediate resources and intellectual effort to solve.
I was also incredibly impressed and motivated by the number of bright and driven individuals that through listening to the panel or having conversations with truly expressed their passion and commitment to enabling sustainability through environmental, social, and/or governance strategies. As I look forward to a career where I can combine my passion for environmental sustainability with my background in economics and finance, it is reassuring to know that there is a community of incredibly talented and knowledgeable individuals who are also working towards a similar cause.
Written By and Posted on Behalf of:
Ian Sylcox, Bentley University student