Morgan Stanley asks students for sustainable investment solutions

Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing has launched a competition for business students, inviting them to submit market-based solutions that take into account social and environmental challenges.

The Sustainable Investing Challenge – promoted along with the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and business school INSEAD – calls on students to develop investment tools that bring financial returns and create a positive impact on society and the environment.

Areas heralded as crucial are food, energy, resources, health, climate change and education. The deadline for submissions is February 25.

Ten finalists will be invited to present their projects at Morgan Stanley’s New York headquarters in front of a panel of judges. Winning teams will be awarded a total sum of $15,000 (£9,100).

Audrey Choi, CEO of the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing, said, “We can make private capital an increasingly powerful force for sustainability by harnessing the tools of finance to tackle global challenges.”

She added, “The Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge seeks to accelerate this process, identifying and recognising ideas that are financially viable and scalable.”

“In keeping with the goals of the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing, the challenge also seeks to cultivate the next generation of sustainable investing practitioners, building the intellectual and professional capacity needed for real progress against the major challenges of our time.”

Morgan Stanley inaugurated the Institute for Sustainable Investing in November last year. The body offers solutions to clients who are interested in investing sustainably. It has committed to invest $1 billion (£620m) in sustainable community initiatives.

Further reading:

Morgan Stanley sets up sustainable investment body

Mainstream press ‘full of piffle and wind’ on sustainable investment

Bank of America pledges $50 billion worth of sustainable investments

90% of investors say CSR and sustainability reports are ‘essential’

Out for redemption: Morgan Stanley looks to values-driven investments