ESG Focus | Sep 29 2021
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Tech for Good: How Technology is Enabling Sustainable Businesses Around the World
By Mary Manning, Global Portfolio Manager, Affinity Investment Management
We at Alphinity Investment Management believe that technology is a force for good. Well known technology companies like Microsoft and Apple can have a direct positive impact on society via their contributions to digital infrastructure and digital inclusion. However, the role of technology in sustainability is much broader than just than the IT sector. Technology can also be a powerful force for good by enabling companies in non-tech sectors to operate in a more sustainable way.
The following analysis looks at how technology drives sustainability across sectors including consumer, health care, financials and industrials. Stock examples include MercadoLibre, Deere, United Health, Bumble, Erste Group, Volvo and Tesla.
No Poverty
MercadoLibre: Digital inclusion and poverty reduction
Digital inclusion and financial inclusion are critical components of poverty reduction. MercadoLibre is the largest e-commerce and payments stock in Latin America with an impressive 32% market share. The company’s payments business started as a complement to the marketplace business but has grown to include a suite of platforms (MercadoPago, MercadoFondo and MercadoCredito) all of which facilitate the democratisation of payments and financial inclusion in LatAm.
Zero Hunger
Deere: Agricultural technology and food security
The UN’s sustainable development goal SDG 2 calls for ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture. As the global leader in precision agriculture, Deere is using the interent-of-things and data analytics to help farmers streamline their operations, enhance profitability and ultimately improve their ability to feed the world.
Good Health and Well-Being
UnitedHealth: Creating a health eco-system via technology
United Health is the largest Managed Care Organisation in the US with operations including insurance, pharmacy benefit management, data analytics and clinics. The company’s Optum business unit applies market leading information, data analytics, technology and clinical insights to help improve overall health system performance. During covid, Optum has become one of the largest providers of digital behavioural care services in the US with more than 10,000 care providers using the company’s virtual visit platform.
Gender Equality
Bumble: An online dating platform based on gender equality
Bumble is the parent company of Bumble and Badoo, two of the world’s highest-grossing dating apps with millions of users worldwide. The Bumble platform enables people to connect and build equitable and healthy relationships. The Bumble app was one of the first dating apps built with women at the centre and has become a leading online tool in the quest for gender equality. Bumble’s monthly downloads exceed 1.5 million.
Reduced Inequalities
Erste Group: Reducing inequalities in CEE
Erste is one of the leading banks in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Despite macroeconomic improvement in the few last decades, significant inequalities persist in the region and many people continue to live in poverty. Erste has a well-respected digital platform (George) and has become a trusted provider of financial literacy in CEE. Erste also has strong social banking activities that have delivered EUR400m of loans into social development areas.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Volvo: Delivering EV solutions for sustainable transportation
Volvo is playing a leading role in the transition towards low carbon transport by developing a wide range of electric and hydrogen compatible buses, trucks and construction equipment. Volvo aims to have a 100% carbon-free vehicle offering by 2040. These advances in clean vehicle technology are facilitating the shift towards fossil-free transportation in sustainable cities.
Climate Action
Tesla: Disrupting multiple industries through innovation
Tesla is accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy via tech-led solutions. The Tesla ecosystem now spans EVs, Assisted Driving (AD), AI, robotics, battery solutions, energy infrastructure and a unique set of solar solutions. Tesla’s individual product innovations have already significantly disrupted the traditional auto industry, and put together, they have the potential to completely change the global transportation and renewable energy sectors.
Conclusion
Technology is a force for good both directly via digital infrastructure and digital inclusion and indirectly via enabling companies in non-tech sectors to operate in a more sustainable way. There are many global stocks in consumer, health care, financials and industrials where technology is facilitating a move towards a sustainable future. These are the stocks in which the Alphinity Global Sustainable Equity Fund aims to invest. Do good. Do it well.
FNArena's dedicated ESG Focus news section zooms in on matters Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) that are increasingly guiding investors preferences and decisions globally. For more news updates, past and future:
https://www.fnarena.com/index.php/financial-news/daily-financial-news/category/esg-focus/
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