On World Water Day today, we are publishing the water footprint of our sustainable funds for the seventh time. Problems such as water shortages and the decline in groundwater levels have now also reached Europe. This makes it all the more important for companies to use our water resources responsibly and manage water risks sustainably.
THIS AUTHOR'S POSTS
Energy of the Future
There is no perfect solution to solve our energy problems in the long term, explains Walter Hatak, Head of Responsible Investments. But instead of burying our heads in the sand, we should be able to choose the best possible alternative, take the future into account in our planning, and learn from past mistakes.
ESG investments – “S” is for sexy?
Human rights, child labor, arms production, … – the range of social issues in the ESG universe is long. Besides environmental and governance aspects, social issues are becoming increasingly important when it comes to sustainable investment. A possible EU social taxonomy could bring new standards for sustainable investments and thus bring the “S” in ESG even more into focus.
And this year’s Nobel Peace Prize goes to …?
The European taxonomy created uniform criteria for sustainable investments. Nuclear power was also classified as green under certain conditions. Read the ESGenius Letter on the topic of “Green nuclear power?”.
Water risks in investment – more than just a drop in the bucket?
Drinking water is one of the earth’s limited resources. Water shortage can entail a variety of implications. On the occasion of World Water Day, Walter Hatak, Head of Responsible Investments at Erste Asset Management, analyzes the risks of water consumption.
ESG: Too much of a good thing?
For a long time, the ESG sceptics could not really be heard in all the noise around the megatrend that sustainability has become in recent years across all sectors. There is hardly a corporate strategy in sight that does not bring up sustainability, hardly a lifestyle product that does not come with a planted tree pledge when you are buying it.
What’s next after green? Social!
Twenty years ago, Erste AM launched its first sustainable fund, thus laid the cornerstone for sustainable investments in Austria. Since then, ESG investments (environmental, social, governance) have developed from a niche proposition to the dominant theme. Social aspects are increasingly coming to the fore.
Saving the world with an impact fund?
Can sustainable investment change the world? What is impact investing, and what does Erste AM offer in this respect? Do only sustainable investors make an impact, or do all investments have an impact on the future? Impact funds – the cherry on the cake of sustainable investing? For a long time, it would be up […]
Everybody will know someone who is affected by climate change
Will Europe become the first climate-neutral continent in the world? What has become of the climate movement? In recent months, Corona has completely ousted the issue of climate change from the media. Walter Hatak, Head of Sustainable Investments at Erste AM.
Interview with WALTER HATAK, Head of Investment Erste AM
According to the latest report from Forum for Sustainable Investments, the investments in sustainable funds/mandates (i.e. institutional clients) increased by 39% in 2019. What do you think is the reason for the drastic increase of this asset class? What has become clear during this crisis is that people are ready for big changes within short […]