SINGAPORE (Apr 24): The coronavirus pandemic has rallied a remarkable response from governments, NGOs, businesses, healthcare professionals and citizens. Arguably, this period of crisis has also exposed vulnerabilities in our economies and the systems on which we all rely. Looking ahead, we think investors will increasingly use sustainability as a lens to highlight major global risks and test the resilience of businesses and systems. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors will become even more important to assess the ability of both corporations and governments to weather a crisis of this scale. Our sustainability team has identified five ways in which this crisis may change the priorities for businesses — and investors.

1. People may seek out greater financial security and better access to healthcare

The coronavirus crisis has shown people just how quickly their lives can be turned upside-down, and how powerless they can be in the face of these challenges. Many citizens are experiencing a sudden loss of ability to earn an income, which may lead to a greater emphasis on insurance, investments and rainy-day savings. The outbreak has also demonstrated the fragility of life, which could lead people to focus more on healthy living and the importance of a good healthcare system.

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