In the new issue of the ESGenius Letter, we focus on current topics from the world of sustainable investment.
DOSSIER POSTS
News from the world of active ownership: the Voting & Engagement Report 2023 is here!
The Voting & Engagement Report 2023 provides interesting insights into our voting behavior and our corporate dialogues over the past year. In terms of engagement in particular, there are some new companies with which we are actively engaging to promote greater sustainability.
Biodiversity: Engagement for our nature
Around 8.7 million different species live on Earth – and they all provide important “ecosystem services”. This is precisely why the protection of biodiversity is essential. In the area of engagement, this year we are focusing on the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and are making contact with one of the world’s largest corporations in this sector.
The wolf and the eight little goats: a climate-saving reinterpretation
The basis for a sustainable transformation is solid structures at the management level of companies – this also applies to the oil and gas industry. However, the most recent example of a prevented shareholder proposal shows that there is still a lot of room for improvement in this area too.
How do climate leaders find their way into our fixed-income portfolios?
Sustainability factors are actively integrated into the investment process in our bond portfolios. This ensures that climate risks are minimized and climate opportunities are actively seized in our corporate bond funds. Fund manager Matthias Hauser explains exactly how this works.
Integrated equity research, or: what is this “ESG” thing in my portfolio all about?
How are sustainability factors integrated into the equity analysis and what aspects does a fund manager look at in the companies? Our Austrian equity fund manager Bernhard Haas explains this using an example company.
Engagement and voting – worth our while?
Dialogue with management and the active exercise of voting rights are intended to encourage companies to operate in a more environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner – engagement & voting is the keyword. But what are the benefits of these measures? An overview of scientific studies on this topic provides interesting results.
Interview: Minimizing climate risks effectively
Companies have to deal intensively with the risks and opportunities that the climate crisis brings for their business model. These factors therefore also play a major role in our investment process. Stefanie Schock, Senior Research Analyst in our Responsible Investments team, explains how this works for the ERSTE WWF STOCK ENVIRONMENT equity fund.
Annual General Meetings (AGMs) 2024: dispute about shareholder rights
We also supported numerous shareholder motions during this year’s Annual General Meeting season. However, there were also occasional disagreements regarding motions and fundamental shareholder rights.
Cleantech stocks: low valuations as opportunity?
Shares from the environmental sector have recently been less in the market’s favor. However, the expansion of renewable energies is continuing at a rapid pace and the AI boom could significantly boost demand for green electricity. Given the good growth prospects and the cheap valuation level, green stocks could currently be worth a look. Alexander Weiss, co-fund manager of the environmental equity funds ERSTE WWF STOCK ENVIRONEMNT and ERSTE GREEN INVEST, explains the background in an interview.