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Free CFA® Sustainable-Investing Exam Questions (page: 5)

Page 5 of 102
PDF with 802 Questions

Which of the following ESG investment approaches would most appropriately be used to construct a balanced and diversified portfolio?

  1. Thematic investing
  2. Screening on a relative basis
  3. Screening on an absolute basis

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Screening on a relative basis would most appropriately be used to construct a balanced and diversified portfolio. This approach involves comparing companies within the same industry or sector and selecting those that perform better on ESG criteria relative to their peers.

Relative Comparison: Screening on a relative basis allows investors to identify the best-performing companies within each sector or industry, ensuring a balanced approach across different segments of the market.

Diversification: By selecting top ESG performers from various industries, investors can maintain a diversified portfolio while still adhering to ESG principles. This helps in spreading risk across different sectors.

Sector-Neutral: This approach ensures that the portfolio is not overly concentrated in specific sectors, which can happen with thematic investing or absolute screening. It allows for sector-neutrality, maintaining exposure to a broad range of industries.


Reference:

MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology (2022) - Discusses the benefits of relative ESG screening for constructing diversified portfolios.

ESG-Ratings-Methodology-Exec-Summary (2022) - Highlights the importance of maintaining diversification while applying ESG criteria in portfolio construction.



Compared to an optimal portfolio that does not have any ESG restrictions a portfolio that optimizes for multiple ESG factors will most likely experience

  1. lower active risk
  2. higher active risk.
  3. lower tracking error

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Compared to an optimal portfolio that does not have any ESG restrictions, a portfolio that optimizes for multiple ESG factors will most likely experience higher active risk. Active risk, also known as tracking error, measures the deviation of a portfolio's returns from its benchmark.

Constraints and Limitations: Applying multiple ESG factors imposes constraints on the investment universe. This limitation can lead to deviations from the benchmark, as the portfolio may exclude certain stocks or sectors that are present in the benchmark.

Sector and Stock Exclusions: By optimizing for ESG factors, the portfolio may exclude high-performing stocks or entire sectors that do not meet ESG criteria. This exclusion can increase the portfolio's active risk compared to a traditional optimal portfolio.

Potential for Divergence: The focus on ESG factors can lead to a different composition of the portfolio relative to the benchmark, resulting in potential performance divergence and higher active risk.


Reference:

MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology (2022) - Highlights the potential for increased active risk when integrating multiple ESG factors into portfolio optimization.

ESG-Ratings-Methodology-Exec-Summary (2022) - Discusses the impact of ESG constraints on portfolio performance and tracking error.



The Sustamalytics database is most likely used for:

  1. manager ESG assessment
  2. company ESG assessment.
  3. creating an ESG benchmark

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The Sustainalytics database is primarily used for company ESG assessment. Here's a detailed explanation:

Company ESG Assessment:

Sustainalytics provides detailed ESG ratings and research for individual companies. Their assessments cover various ESG risks and opportunities that companies face, and these ratings are used by investors to evaluate the ESG performance of companies.

The database includes ESG Risk Ratings that measure the degree to which a company's economic value is at risk due to ESG factors. These ratings help investors integrate ESG considerations into their investment processes.

CFA ESG Investing


Reference:

The CFA Institute's ESG curriculum highlights the role of Sustainalytics in providing comprehensive ESG assessments of companies. These assessments are crucial for investors looking to incorporate ESG factors into their investment decisions.



According to the Capitals Coalition, the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people is best described as

  1. nature
  2. natural capital.
  3. ecosystem assets

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

According to the Capitals Coalition, the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people is best described as natural capital. Here's a detailed explanation:

Natural Capital:

Natural capital refers to the world's stocks of natural assets including geology, soil, air, water, and all living things. It is from this natural capital that humans derive a wide range of ecosystem services that make human life possible.

The Capitals Coalition defines natural capital as the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (such as plants, animals, air, water, soils, and minerals) that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people.

CFA ESG Investing


Reference:

The CFA Institute's ESG curriculum discusses natural capital extensively, emphasizing its importance in sustainable investing and the need for integrating natural capital considerations into financial decision-making.



Which of the following technologies is most likely to be viewed by investors as a strategic solution to the decarbonization of high-temperature processes?

  1. Nuclear fusion
  2. Next-generation battery storage
  3. The use of renewable energy to produce hydrogen

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Investors are most likely to view the use of renewable energy to produce hydrogen as a strategic solution to the decarbonization of high-temperature processes. Here's why:

Renewable Hydrogen:

Hydrogen produced using renewable energy (often referred to as green hydrogen) is seen as a key technology for decarbonizing high-temperature industrial processes. These processes, such as those in steel and cement production, require high levels of heat that are challenging to electrify directly.

Hydrogen can provide the necessary high-temperature heat without the carbon emissions associated with fossil fuels.

Other Technologies:

Nuclear fusion is still in the experimental stage and is not yet a commercially viable solution.

Next-generation battery storage, while important for energy storage and grid stability, does not address the specific challenge of providing high-temperature heat for industrial processes as effectively as hydrogen.

CFA ESG Investing


Reference:

The CFA Institute's ESG curriculum discusses various technologies for decarbonization, highlighting green hydrogen as a promising solution for high-temperature industrial applications due to its potential to reduce emissions significantly.



Which of the following has the long-term goal to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industnal levels?

  1. The Kyoto Protocol
  2. The Paris Agreement
  3. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The Paris Agreement has the long-term goal to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels.

Global Climate Accord: The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aims to strengthen the global response to climate change by keeping the temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C.

Long-term Goals: The agreement sets long-term goals to guide countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing adaptation efforts, and ensuring that finance flows support low-emission and climate-resilient development.

Commitments and Contributions: Countries are required to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their plans to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts. These contributions are to be updated every five years with increasing ambition.


Reference:

MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology (2022) - Discusses the goals and implications of the Paris Agreement for global climate policy.

ESG-Ratings-Methodology-Exec-Summary (2022) - Highlights the significance of the Paris Agreement in setting targets for temperature control and emission reductions.



Integrating the impact of material ESG factors into traditional financial analysis for a company with strong ESG practices most likely.

  1. leads to a lower estimate of intrinsic value
  2. has no impact on intrinsic value
  3. leads to a higher estimate of intrinsic value

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Integrating the impact of material ESG factors into traditional financial analysis for a company with strong ESG practices most likely leads to a higher estimate of intrinsic value.

Risk Mitigation: Companies with strong ESG practices are often better at managing risks related to environmental, social, and governance factors. This risk mitigation can lead to more stable and predictable cash flows, positively impacting the intrinsic value.

Operational Efficiency: Strong ESG practices can lead to improved operational efficiency, cost savings, and higher profitability. For example, energy-efficient processes and waste reduction can lower operating costs, enhancing financial performance.

Market Perception and Access to Capital: Companies with robust ESG practices may benefit from a better market perception and easier access to capital at lower costs. Investors are increasingly prioritizing ESG factors, which can lead to a higher valuation for companies perceived as ESG leaders.


Reference:

MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology (2022) - Highlights how strong ESG practices can enhance a company's intrinsic value by reducing risks and improving operational performance.

ESG-Ratings-Methodology-Exec-Summary (2022) - Discusses the positive impact of integrating ESG factors on a company's financial analysis and valuation.



The UK's Green Finance Strategy identifies the policy lever of financing green as

  1. strengthening the role of the UK financial sector in driving green finance
  2. directing private sector financial flows to economic activities that support an environmentally sustainable and resilient growth.
  3. ensuring that the financial sector systematically considers environmental and climate factors in its lending and investment activities.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The UK's Green Finance Strategy identifies the policy lever of financing green as directing private sector financial flows to economic activities that support an environmentally sustainable and resilient growth.

Encouraging Private Investment: The strategy aims to mobilize private sector investment into green projects and technologies that contribute to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

Supporting Green Growth: By directing financial flows towards sustainable economic activities, the strategy supports the transition to a low-carbon economy and promotes long-term economic growth that is resilient to environmental and climate risks.

Policy Framework: The strategy outlines a framework for aligning financial flows with sustainability goals, including setting standards, enhancing disclosures, and providing incentives for green investments.


Reference:

MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology (2022) - Discusses the role of financial flows in promoting sustainable growth and the importance of directing investments towards green activities.

ESG-Ratings-Methodology-Exec-Summary (2022) - Highlights the objectives of the UK's Green Finance Strategy in supporting environmentally sustainable economic growth.



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