The five shades of green (bonds)

Sustainable or green? It all boils down to intent.

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(Mark Hulbert, an author and longtime investment columnist, is the founder of the Hulbert Financial Digest; his Hulbert Ratings audits investment newsletter returns.)

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Callaway Climate Insights) — Nothing is simple when it comes to investing in green bonds.

I’m referring to those corporate bonds whose proceeds are dedicated to eco-friendly projects. I had suggested in late November that you should consider these bonds if you want to have a “direct” and “obvious” impact on inducing companies to become more climate friendly. Though that is true in theory, I have since discovered that — in practice — nothing about green bonds is “direct” or “obvious.”