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.
ARTICLES IN THE TOPIC “Sustainability”
World Climate Conference COP26: Leverage needed for investments in climate protection
On the occasion of the climate conference in Glasgow, Erste Asset Management and the environmental protection organization WWF Austria draw attention to the urgency of quick decisions and huge climate protection investments.
Green or Greenwashing?
In order to evaluate the sustainability of a company or a product, a large number of aspects have to be considered and additionally correlated with each other and placed in a broader context. Guest Commentary by Raphael Fink of Umweltzeichen Team at VKI.
Green, green shades of bonds
In recent years, we have seen dynamic growth emerging. It started with green bonds, which were then complemented by social bonds, sustainability bonds (a combination of environmental and social projects), and sustainability-linked bonds.
Greenwashing as risk, and how to avoid it
Many investors currently find it difficult to tell apart actually green companies from allegedly green ones. In this article, we are going to discuss the risk of greenwashing, and discuss what investors have to pay attention to and to what extent the new regulation by the EU (Taxonomy) can help to disclose greenwashing.
Greenwashing through lobbying?
In recent years, environmental and social issues were voted on at the annual general meetings of global companies. Increasingly, the focus was on more transparency regarding lobbying and political contributions.
Why companies must focus on equality and equal opportunities
Many of our decisions are unconsciously shaped by prejudices, role models and stereotypes that prevent diversity and inclusion. Yet diversity is critical to the future of a company. Overcoming unconscious bias is often the first step in recognizing inequalities and the need for action behind them.
Sixth progress report of the IPCC: Physical risks of global warming
In August 2021, the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) published a report on global climate change. One of the key messages is that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, land areas and oceans. Heat waves, precipitation and the resulting soil moisture were identified as relevant physical risks.
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.
Gesundheit!
The desire for health is a constant companion in social life. In a developed country with a well-developed health and insurance system, it may be forgotten, but health is a highly unevenly distributed commodity.