Environmental funds have invested nearly $5 trillion in defense companies. This was reported by Bloomberg.
We are talking about ESG funds, or funds that invest in companies declared to have responsible social and environmental policies.
The perception of the issue of ethical financing of the defense industry has changed significantly against the background of the Ukrainian crisis. It was noted that after the start of Russia’s operation in Ukraine, the share of ESG funds in the total investment volume in the sector called “aviation and defense industry” increased by 25 percent. At the same time, in October 2023, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on investors to increase investments in arms production, emphasizing that “there is nothing unethical in defending our freedom.”
At the same time, given that 16 of the sustainable development goals are peace and strong institutions, and this is impossible to guarantee, the question remains how responsible and consistent such investments are with the need to contribute to the achievement of the UN sustainable development goals. The weapons produced are used only for defensive purposes.
Before that Ukraine asked NATO has long-range missiles and warplanes.
Previously Pope Francis statedThat the world is being dragged into war because of the defense industry.