The firm now plans to integrate sustainability criteria into portfolio construction and exit investments with high risks from ESG-related issues.

David Vogel, who spent five years using data to study the impact of global warming, is starting the fund as pensions and large investors increasingly seek ESG investments.

Protesters and nonprofits are ramping up criticism of the largest fund managers for what they say is insufficient action around the global environmental crisis.

ETFs tracking themes — such as robotics, blockchain and cannabis — closed the year just 1% higher than where it started.

Some 225 funds traded for the first time over the past 12 months, down for a second-straight year.

The fund will track an index that divides the industry into five categories: pharmaceuticals, testing and analytics, cultivators, hemp and ancillary business.

"It's going to become increasingly more important for financial professionals to understand the potential benefits of sustainable investing," an exec says.

“It’s going to become increasingly more important for financial professionals to understand the potential benefits of sustainable investing,” an executive says.

The planned launch from Cornerstone Capital would be the firm’s first stock fund for individual investors with social and environmental goals.

Challenges abound even without the issues posed by inconsistent global definitions.