Interest in sustainable investments
A characterisation exercise of the Italian investors based on CONSOB surveys

D. Costa, M. Gentile, N. Linciano

Abstract
This paper analyses the individual characteristics that are associated with interest in sustainable investments as reported by participants in the 2019 and 2021 waves of the survey of the CONSOB Observatory on 'Approach to Finance and Investments of Italian Households'. In line with the insights of the economic literature, interest is positively correlated with multiple features, such as the level of education and the robustness of the economic-financial situation, perceived knowledge of sustainable investments, financial knowledge, and digital knowledge, individual traits like social preferences; attitude for financial control; investment experience and holding of a diversified portfolio. Conversely, interest is found to be negatively correlated with age, risk aversion, and liquidity holding. The work provides empirical evidence that may be useful for the elicitation of investors' sustainability preferences, which the most recent European regulatory developments require as part of the suitability assessment to be carried out by investment firm offering investment advice or portfolio management services. The analysis provides insights also with respect to target segmentation and definition of educational contents of financial education initiatives.  
 

Authors
Daniela Costa - CONSOB, Research Department (d.costa@consob.it)
Monica Gentile - CONSOB, Research Department (m.gentile@consob.it)
Nadia Linciano - CONSOB, Head of Research Department (n.linciano@consob.it)

The opinions expressed, any errors and inaccuracies are solely attributable to the authors. In citing this work, therefore, it is not correct to attribute the arguments expressed therein to CONSOB.