The practice of taking into account the wider impact of our investing dates back to the 15th century BC with Jewish law at that time stating that investments make us property owners, giving us the responsibility to use our holdings to prevent immediate and potential harm. The modern era of this form of investing commenced in the 1950s with certain funds excluding so-called sin stocks such as alcohol, tobacco, and gambling. In more recent years, the volume of funds managed in this way has grown exponentially.

Undoubtedly the most resear...