‘Game changer’ Inflation Reduction Act passes Senate
The bill includes $369bn in support for clean energy development
The Inflation Reduction Act, a piece of legislation described as a “game changer”, has been passed by the US Senate.
The Inflation Reduction Act includes unprecedented investments to tackle climate change and strengthen energy security, while creating jobs and cutting consumer costs.
President Joe Biden said the bill “makes the largest investment ever in combatting the existential crisis of climate change”.
This includes $369bn allocated to climate and clean energy programmes.
Legislative progress shows momentum
“[The bill] is going to make a game-changing difference to the climate crisis and, indeed, healthcare in America,” said Nigel Green, CEO and founder of advice and investment giant deVere Group.
He suggested the bill’s progress underscores why “every investor needs exposure” to ESG investments to build wealth over the long term.
The deVere CEO has taken confidence from the bill’s rapid progress: “Due to the momentum that will be created from this landmark bill, we expect ESG assets to take an even greater proportion of the $140.5trn in projected total assets under management.”
[The bill] is going to make a game-changing difference to the climate crisis and, indeed, healthcare in America.
Party-line vote
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer’s passing of the Inflation Reduction Act follows on from the U-turn decision from US Senator Joe Manchin to support the bill.
The passing of the bill required a 27-hour weekend session of debate that ended in the Senate approving the legislation by a 51-50 party-line vote.
It will now go to the House of Representatives for a vote, where it is expected to pass.
Manchin had previously been in opposition to the legislation that promises higher taxes for polluters and the ultra-wealthy.
When changing his stance, the senator said the bill “provides a responsible path forwards that is laser focused on solving our nation’s major economic, energy and climate problems.”
The World Resources Institute also noted that the bill provides “breakthrough investments and tax credits that will save households money, create millions of jobs and boost energy security – all while helping put the US within striking distance of its 2030 climate goals”.
ESG investing ‘not woke or whimsical’
Before the start of the new decade, according to Green, most investors considered ESG investors as “woke” but this has now changed.
Funds investing in entities with robust ESG credentials have outperformed their benchmarks over recent years. Green explained: “These investments cannot any longer be dismissed as woke or whimsical.
“In fact, I believe that every investment portfolio should have exposure to ESG if the investor is serious about building long-term wealth.”
Additionally, these companies typically deliver a legitimate diversification tool, which Green says is how investors “seize opportunities and mitigate risk, especially during periods of higher volatility”.
