FTSE Russell survey: 51% of asset owners apply sustainability to over half their assets

Fifty-one percent of asset owners now apply sustainability to over 50% of their assets, up from 26% a year earlier, according to FTSE Russell's ninth annual survey. The survey covered 402 asset owners in 24 countries.

Eleven percent now apply sustainability across their entire portfolio, up from 0% in 2025, and 47% invest sustainably to improve returns, up from 41%. Overall adoption was 84%, up from 73% in 2025, with another 15% evaluating it — figures this publication reported on 19 October.

Governance, tax and shareholder rights ranks as the top sustainability priority, cited by 32% of respondents, up from 18%. Lee Clements, head of applied sustainable investment research at FTSE Russell, tied that to pressure on shareholder rights and to regulatory proposals that could limit disclosure and investors' ability to bring items to a vote.

30% pursue divestment from high-carbon assets, up from 21%, while 60% still pursue engagement, down from 67%.

One-quarter of respondents rate climate risk concern 10 out of 10, up from 11%, and 52% weigh it in asset allocation, up from 36%.

Adoption slid from 86% in 2022 to 71% in 2024, which Clements attributed to geopolitical backlash and revised disclosure rules. This year, 85% expect to do more over the next one to three years and none expect to do less.