Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing has emerged as a transformative approach in modern financial markets, shifting focus from purely profit-driven strategies to sustainable and responsible investment practices. This study examines investor perception towards ESG and green investments in Bengaluru, a major financial and technological hub in India. The research aims to evaluate awareness levels, risk-return perceptions, and factors influencing investment decisions related to ESG instruments. The study adopts a descriptive research design using primary data collected from 100 respondents through structured questionnaires. Analytical tools such as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression models were employed to interpret the data. The findings indicate that ESG awareness, expected returns, and ethical motivation significantly influence investment intention, while perceived risk negatively impacts ESG adoption. The study concludes that although investor interest in ESG investments is growing, challenges such as lack of awareness, data inconsistency, and trust issues persist. The paper highlights the need for improved disclosure standards, investor education, and policy support to enhance ESG adoption in India.
Begani et al. (2026) studied this question.