Here are some investing options for 2021 — with climate change in mind

Here are some investing options for 2021 — with climate change in mind  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE WED, DEC 23, 2020 YOUR WEALTH Editor's Note Climate change has been a hot topic and that means many investors have become concerned about global warming. Many are trying to find ways to channel their anxiety into action that will help the planet. One simple way to make a difference is to be more selective about the companies you invest in, and that is through sustainable investing. Sustainable investing is an investment discipline that considers environmental, social and corporate governance criteria to generate long-term competitive financial returns and positive societal impact. And sustainable investing is surging. Between 2018 and 2020, total U.S.-domiciled sustainably invested assets under management, both institutional and retail, grew 42%, to $17.1 trillion, up from $12 trillion. With all that has happened in this surreal year of 2020 so far, many investors may not have realized that sustainable investing is emerging as a way forward. Indeed, as mentioned here, sustainable funds are seeing a surge in assets. Fund companies are also getting into the ESG game. Top fund firms, like Fidelity and Vanguard, now have sustainable or ESG funds. And there are many new funds coming to market every year. Meanwhile, some of the world's largest asset managers, like BlackRock, see opportunities for sustainable investing as the future. And sustainable investing has demonstrated that it can perform well. Sustainable funds outperformed their conventional fund peers in 2019, helped in part by underweighting energy company investments but also by continuing a general trend from recent years of better performance than non-ESG funds. What's more, during the first-quarter downturn this year, ESG strategies demonstrated an exceptional resiliency relative to their peers, providing greater downside protection. HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY! For more key stuff like this, please follow me on Twitter @jimpavia and check out CNBC's Financial Advisor Hub and CNBC + Acorns Invest in You: Ready. Set. Grow. Jim Pavia @JIMPAVIA Here are some investing options for 2021 — with climate change in mind If you're like most Americans, you worry about global warming. One fairly simple way to make a difference is to be selective about the companies you invest in. 'Sustainable investing' is surging, accounting for 33% of total U.S. assets under management Assets managed with environmental, social and governance concerns continue to surge. The retail side is growing dramatically alongside institutional investors. Don't forget to check your retirement plan. Here are moves to make before the year is out Assessing your retirement plan can make sure your savings goals are on track. If not, there are things you can do to course-correct. Average debt held by oldest households jumped nearly 39% over last decade In families headed by someone age 75 or older, average debt jumped to $44,828 in 2019 from $32,294 in 2010, new research shows. You've likely missed the deadline to max out a 401(k) this year. Here's what else you can do If you missed the deadline to max out your 401(k), here are a few other things financial planners recommend you do with the extra money Op-ed: Here's how to create a charitable trust as part of an estate plan When planning your estate, creating a charitable trust can provide a way to meet your wishes for loved ones and charities. Here's what steps you need to take to prepare for financial emergencies in 2021 Here's what steps you need to take to prepare for financial emergencies in 2021. Op-ed: 'Investor alpha' is the most important financial strategy for 2021 Wise investors in these times will focus on the "alpha" they can generate by minding four concepts: tax efficiency, savings rate, automation and portfolio fees. 'Take all of your common stocks and sell them' "... When you switched out of common stocks and into bonds, you had a fighting chance at earning a positive return ..." CONTRIBUTORS Sharon Epperson @sharon_epperson Josh Brown @ReformedBroker Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel   Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy CNBC Events   © 2020 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS