Swedbank Robur Global Impact report 2020
Swedbank Robur Global Impact is a classified dark green equity fund (EU Sustainable Finance), which focuses entirely on companies that have operations that contribute to meeting the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals and support the transition to a more sustainable world. Nearly 60 percent of the revenue in the companies in which Swedbank Robur Global Impact invests, relate to the UN's global sustainability goals. This can be compared with 10 percent in the fund's benchmark index MSCI All Country World Index. In 2020, the fund is invested in 120 companies worldwide, and the yearly report clearly shows how much benefit the companies in the fund do.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) are based on a joint agreement between 193 countries and aim to, by 2030, work for better health, reduce inequalities in the world, solve the climate crisis and reduce environmental degradation.
“In the fund's yearly report, we strive to quantify positive effects on the environment and social areas from the fund’s investees. The companies we are invested in are selected for the positive impact we believe their products and services have, related to the achievement of the UN’s SDG’s. We also set high sustainability requirements for the companies 'operations in addition to what can be directly linked to the UN's SDG’s,” says Linnea Zanetti, responsible for the climate analysis of the Swedbank Robur Global Impact fund’s investees.
The overall ESG[i] rating for Swedbank Robur Global Impact is more than 15 percent higher than its benchmark index. This means that the overall level of sustainability work of the companies in the fund according to this measurement method, is higher than that of the MSCI All Country World Index. In addition to a positive impact from the products and services sold, the companies in the fund also have an impact in the environmental and social areas through their operations.
“When the fund invests in new companies, an analysis is always made that takes into account the company's work with the environment and climate, human rights, working conditions and business ethics. The worst performing companies in each industry are excluded. In addition to the ethical aspect of investing in companies that take responsibility for people and the environment, sustainability factors are something that can negatively affect the risk and return of companies if they are mismanaged. We believe that the companies that are aware of, and manage their sustainability risks in a good way, will be the financial winners in the long term,” says Linnea Zanetti.
The fund’s yearly report shows that the companies in the fund have, among other things, contributed to producing 33,000mWh of renewable energy, treated 25,700 tonnes of materials such as plastic, cardboard and metal for material recycling and purified and distributed 1,010 million litres of drinking water.
“This clearly shows how much saving with a focus on sustainability can contribute to us achieving the SDG’s, a factor that is often forgotten in the discussion about how individual's personal choices can contribute to a more sustainable development and solving the climate issue. To clarify, for example, 25,700 tonnes of plastic, cardboard and metal corresponds to a total of 170,000 people's total household waste and 1,010 million litres of drinking water, mirrors approximately 280,000 people's annual consumption of water for food and drink,” says Linnea Zanetti.
Contact:
Carina Sesser Nylund, Press manager, Swedbank Robur ph. +46 72 230 52 64
Risk information
Historical growth is no guarantee of future yields. The value of your fund savings can both rise and fall, which is why there can be no guarantee that you will get back your original investment. A fund categorized as risk class 6-7 has a high risk both for increases and decreases in the value of the fund units. Please read prospectuses available on our website or visit a retailer.
[i] ESG stands for Environment, Social and Governance. The overall ESG rating weighs together a number of sustainability factors that together constitute a rating (between 1 and 10). The companies are rated on the basis of how they perform in these matters in relation to other companies in the same industry.
Swedbank Robur is a wholly owned subsidiary to Swedbank and active in Swedbank´s four home markets. Swedbank Robur was founded in 1967 and offers more than 80 mutual funds, institutional and discretionary asset management and management of pension funds. The number of customers is 3 million in Sweden and 1 million in the Baltic countries. Assets under management are approximately SEK 1678 billion (2020). Swedbank Robur’s vision is to become a world leader in sustainable value creation.