Social and asocial learning about climate change among institutional investors: lessons for stranded assets

Abstract

ABSTRACTInstitutional investment portfolios are currently, and will increasingly be, affected by the risks and opportunities resulting from climate change. This paper contributes new empirical data from 58 in-depth interviews and a global investor survey to explore how climate change is being learnt socially and asocially within the institutional investment industry. This research seeks to identify ways in which the relatively novel concept of ‘stranded assets’ can be better disseminated to investment professionals. Importantly, both social and asocial learning can affect investment decisions, with some actors usefully providing information via both channels. Better learning, language and leadership within the institutional investment system could facilitate the dissemination of climate and stranded asset discourses among investors, but an imperative to communicate effectively rather than simply communicating more is noted. This paper should interest both investment professionals keen to learn more about the issue and academic researchers seeking to engage investors on these topics.