Generation Investment Management: Sustainable Investing in a Warming World

In September 2021, the sustainable investment firm Generation Investment Management (Generation) considered whether to add Schneider Electric to the focus list of companies in which it was prepared to invest. Dedicated to promoting a sustainable world through its investments, Generation had become increasingly concerned about climate change, and in 2020 it had announced its intention to manage a net-zero emissions portfolio by 2040. Schneider Electric, a French multinational conglomerate, was strongly committed to sustainability in its operations, and it made electrical hardware and software that promoted energy efficiency in buildings that accounted for 30% of global energy use and 9% of greenhouse gas emissions. But Generation still sought significant financial success, and it was unsure whether Schneider’s green credentials should outweigh concerns about its growth rates, research and development capabilities, and history of mergers and acquisitions.