In this episode of the Money Wise UK Podcast, George is joined by Ben Palmer, Senior Portfolio Manager at LGT and former Head of Responsible Investment at Brooks Macdonald, for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about sustainable investing.

From the evolution of ethical investing to today's ESG, impact, and transition strategies, Ben explains the terminology, challenges, and real-world investment opportunities with clarity and balance.

We go beyond the headlines—exploring whether “woke is broke” is true, why investment trusts might still play a role in ESG portfolios, and whether governments, investors, or individuals are the real agents of change. We also dig into controversial topics like COP30’s rainforest conundrum, Trump’s “drill baby drill” energy stance, and whether EVs and renewables can truly make a difference.

Ben offers insight into how sustainability and economics increasingly go hand in hand—and why acknowledging imperfections matters more than chasing perfection.

💬 Topics Include:

• What ESG, impact, and sustainable investing really mean

• The FCA’s new fund labelling system

• Investment trusts and sustainability

• Climate science vs. political noise

• Can investment really drive global change?

🔗 Plus, learn more about LGT’s approach to responsible investing and why long-term thinking is core to their DNA.

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Learn more: https://www.lgtwm.com/uk-en

Please note: This podcast does not provide financial advice.If you have any questions, we recommend speaking to a financial adviser. Past performance does not guide future returns; investments can fall and rise. Anymention of a company is not a recommendation.