On the whole, socially responsible investing is showing profitable returns. The Domini 400 Social Index is made up of 400 socially and environmentally screened companies. Since its inception in May 1990, it has outperformed the Standard & Poors 500 Index (comprising 500 leading US companies that are not necessarily socially responsible). And in September 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index (DJSGI) was launched. This index tracks the performance of more than 200 of the planet??s top sustainability companies.

The Carbon Disclosure Project, acting on behalf of major investors, wrote to the 500 largest companies in the world asking for the disclosure of investment-relevant information concerning greenhouse gas emissions. To ensure complete objectivity, the final report was prepared by Innovest Strategic Value Advisors. The report found while companies and investors stand to suffer financial losses due to climate change, companies that take steps to deal with it can mitigate losses and even gain competitive advantages that they can pass along to their shareholders. In the study, 80% of respondents acknowledged climate change as a financial risk but only 35-40% were actually taking action to address risks and opportunities.

The report cites BP as a forward thinking company that has gained competitive advantage for taking quick action on greenhouse gas emissions. For example BP has cut annual CO₂ emissions at its plants by 10 million tonnes, saving some $650-million.

Canada's Voluntary Challenge and Registry was created in 1995 to provide a means for promoting, assessing and recognizing the effectiveness of the voluntary approach in addressing climate change. It has functioned as a non-profit partnership between industry and government across Canada. More than 1,000 organizations registered with the VCR and, depending on their action plan and environmental performance, organizations could be rated gold, silver, or bronze level reporters. However, with the Kyoto Protocol in force, large final emitters, who were at the forefront of the voluntary approach, are now being required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions beyond their business as usual capacity. Because of the change in the regulatory climate, VCR initiatives are being wound down.