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by Vanina Farber Published March 24, 2021 in Brain Circuits • 3 min read
With a mission “to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy,” Tesla should be a shoe-in for investors with environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns. Yet, with controversial corporate practices related to ESG factors, the investment decision for responsible/sustainable investors is not so straightforward.
Despite lofty goals that could revolutionize the automobile industry with an inherently “good” product – making zero-emission electric vehicles mainstream, Tesla investors also have to consider their material ESG issues in their corporate practices and policies.
Put yourself in the shoes of an ESG investor. What are the most important material factors for you? (choose three per criteria)
Elon Musk accused of Bitcoin market manipulation in February 2021 by top economist Nouriel Roubini
Final Poll question: Given your findings would you invest in Tesla?
(a) yes, with no hesitation
(b) yes, but I want to challenge them to do better on ESG issues so I would engage
(c) no way! Tesla is overvalued
(d) no, Tesla doesn’t align with my values
(e) other…
Feel free to post your answer in the comments section below

elea Professor of Social Innovation
Vanina Farber is an economist and political scientist specializing in social innovation, sustainability, impact investment and sustainable finance. She also has almost 20 years of teaching, researching and consultancy experience, working with academic institutions, multinational corporations, and international organizations. She is the holder of the elea Chair for Social Innovation and is the Program Director of IMD’s Executive MBA program and IMD’s Driving Innovative Finance for Impact program.

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