Survey Finds AI and Cybersecurity Emerging in ESG Investing

Highlights

• 85% of investors expect ESG assets under management to grow within two years, with strong interest in climate-focused investments.
• Survey reveals data gaps in Scope 3 emissions and climate risk analysis, but energy transition strategies are seen as drivers of competitiveness and revenue.
• AI and cybersecurity emerge as the next major ESG themes, with investors ranking AI’s risks and opportunities as the top focus for 2025.

The survey by Bloomberg Intelligence notes that investors are still highly confident about the future of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing.

Around 85% of respondents believe that assets under management (AUM) for ESG will grow in the next two years, even though there has been some backlash against ESG principles of late.

Similarly, two-thirds of investors expect growth in climate-focused AUM, and close to half of them plan to dedicate more than 15% of their portfolios to ESG and climate-related products.

Read More: Top Tips to Invest in ESG for 2025

Investors see clear long-term benefits of ESG investing. They say it gives them a better understanding of industries and companies, helps with more informed decision-making, and leads to better risk-adjusted returns. These benefits make ESG strategies attractive not just for sustainability purposes but also for improving investment performance over time.

Climate considerations are a major priority for investors. About 90% track the carbon footprint of their portfolios, showing strong attention to emissions.

However, many investors also pointed out gaps in climate data, especially in areas such as Scope 3 emissions (indirect supply-chain emissions), physical climate risks, and scenario analysis. Despite these challenges, a majority use ESG data and scores to assess how companies are managing their climate strategies.

Moreover, 71% of investors said a strong energy-transition strategy (moving toward clean energy) could improve a company’s competitiveness, while 59% linked it to higher revenue potential.

The survey also explored emerging themes in ESG investing. The most common response was Artificial Intelligence (AI), which over 45% of investors expect to become the next major ESG theme. Cybersecurity followed closely with 39%, while water was mentioned by 25%.

In fact, investors listed the risks and opportunities of AI as the top ESG focus for 2025, highlighting how technology is becoming deeply tied to sustainability discussions.

Also Read: ESG Investing Under Fire: Politics, Performance, and Greenwashing

To gather these insights, Bloomberg Intelligence worked with Attest to survey 252 investment experts between March and May 2025. Participants came from regions including North America, Europe, APAC, Central America, and South America, and each had at least eight years of investment experience with active involvement in investment management or analysis.

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Source: Bloomberg