Tesla: Exclude, engage or just invest?

Put yourself in the shoes of an ESG investor. What are the most important material factors for you? (choose three per criteria)

• Tesla would expedite the move from a mine-and-burn hydrocarbon economy toward a clean electric economy.
• Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy is aligned with Triodos’s transition themes.
• Elon Musk is a true visionary and pioneer in the clean energy field.
• Tesla and Musk, himself, are publicly involved in governance, labor and human rights controversies.
• Elon Musk’s remuneration package is excessive.
• Elon Musk social media activity affects firm’s value
• Tesla’s IPO was on June 29, 2010. Its stock has grown exponentially since the IPO.
• Contract workers at Tesla sign arbitration agreements that could hide labor relations abuses even sexual harassment.
• Since 2014, workers have filed 145 complaints with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing, alleging discrimination at Tesla on the basis of race, age, gender, disability, medical leave, pregnancy, sexual orientation and national origin.
• Tesla is selling carbon credits to other car manufacturing companies that do not comply with CO2 regulatory target yet.
• Tesla’s 8th of February adoption of cryptocurrency defies corporate finance norms

Elon Musk accused of Bitcoin market manipulation in February 2021 by top economist Nouriel Roubini

Final Poll question: Given your findings would you invest in Tesla?

(a) yes, with no hesitation

(b) yes, but I want to challenge them to do better on ESG issues so I would engage

(c) no way! Tesla is overvalued

(d) no, Tesla doesn’t align with my values

(e) other…

Feel free to post your answer in the comments section below