ESG funds are equities and/or bond portfolios that have had environmental, social, and governance factors factored into the investment process.
Looking at the above definition, it simply means the equities and bonds contained in the fund have passed stringent tests over how sustainable the company or government is regarding its ESG criteria.
Best nine ESG funds to add to your portfolio
| Fund Name | Inception Year | Net Assets | Expense Ratio | Return Since Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (NASDAQ:ESGU) | 2016 | $16 billion | 0.15% | 17.86% annualized |
| SPDR S&P 500 ESG ETF (NYSEMKT:EFIV) | 2020 | $208 million | 0.10% | 24.20% |
| Fidelity U.S. Sustainability Index Fund (NASDAQMUTFUND:FITL.X) | 2017 | $1.1 billion | 0.11% | 17.83% annualized |
| Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (NASDAQMUTFUND:VFTA.X) | 2019 | $12 billion | 0.14% | 24.04% annualized |
| Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEMKT:NUMG) | 2016 | $292 million | 0.40% | 21.10% annualized |
| Calvert International Responsible Index Fund (NASDAQMUTFUND:CDHI.X) | 2015 | $450 million | 0.49% | 9.23% annualized |
| Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund (NASDAQMUTFUND:PXWEX) | 1993* | $822 million | 0.80% | 9.24% annualized* |
| iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (NASDAQ:ESGE) | 2016 | $7.2 billion | 0.25% | 13.88% annualized |
| iShares ESG Aware 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF (NASDAQ:SUSB) | 2017 | $758 million | 0.12% | 3.36% annualized |
Did You Know : Top 15 Free Online Learning Platforms
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Free Online Education Degrees : Coursera:
Coursera partners with universities and organizations worldwide to offer a wide range of courses. While many courses are free, a fee is often required for certification.
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Free Online Education Degrees: edX:
Founded by MIT and Harvard, edX offers high-quality courses from top universities and institutions around the world. Certificates are available for a fee.
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Free Online Education Degrees : Khan Academy:
Khan Academy provides free educational content in various subjects, especially mathematics and science, using instructional videos and practice exercises.
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Free Online Education Degrees : Udacity:
Udacity focuses on tech-related courses and nanodegree programs, offering free content as well as more in-depth paid programs.
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Free Online Education Degrees : MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW):
MIT OCW provides a vast array of MIT's course content for free, covering a wide range of disciplines.
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Free Online Education Degrees : Harvard Extension School:
Harvard Extension School offers a selection of free online courses. While some courses are free, others may require payment for a certificate.
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Free Online Education Degrees: Stanford Online:
Stanford Online offers a variety of free courses in different disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and business.
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Best Free Online Courses : Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI):
OLI offers free online courses and resources designed to improve learning outcomes through research-based methodologies.
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Best Free Online Courses : FutureLearn:
FutureLearn partners with universities and institutions to offer a diverse range of free online courses. Certificates are available for a fee.
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Best Free Online Courses: Alison:
Alison offers a wide range of free online courses, including diploma and certificate programs, covering various subjects.
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Best Free Online Courses: Open Yale Courses:
Yale University provides free access to a selection of introductory courses through Open Yale Courses.
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Best Free Online Courses : UC Berkeley Online:
UC Berkeley offers free online courses on a variety of subjects, ranging from computer science to humanities.
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Best Free Online Courses : Google Digital Garage:
Google Digital Garage provides free courses on digital skills, including online marketing, data analysis, and more.
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Best Free Online Courses : Codecademy:
Codecademy offers free coding courses, interactive exercises, and coding projects to help individuals learn programming languages.
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Best Free Online Courses : LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com):
LinkedIn Learning provides a variety of video courses on professional development, technology, and creative skills. It offers a free trial period.
Did you know : International Scholarships 2024
There are several international scholarships available for South Africans to study abroad. Here are a few examples:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program: This program provides fully funded scholarships to study at selected universities in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is open to African students, including South Africans, who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships for South Africans to study at U.S. universities for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
- Erasmus+ Programme: The Erasmus+ programme offers scholarships for South Africans to study in Europe for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel, and living expenses.
- Australia Awards Scholarships: The Australian government offers scholarships for South Africans to study at Australian universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
These are just a few examples of the many international scholarships available to South Africans. It is important to research the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship program.