Issued by the University of Hamburg, this label distinguishes investment funds that pursue a rigorous and transparent approach to sustainability.
The four Ethos investment funds which underwent the certification procedure this year all obtained the maximum three stars. Issued by the University of Hamburg, this label distinguishes investment funds that pursue a rigorous and transparent approach to sustainability.
Since 2021, Ethos and its banking partners have subjected four equity investment funds to a certification procedure developed by the German Forum for Sustainable Investments (FNG). This year, the four funds concerned all received the maximum three stars which crown their “particularly ambitious and comprehensive sustainability strategy”.
- Vontobel Fund (CH) – Ethos Equities Swiss Mid&Small (managed by Vontobel): ***
- Ethos II – Ethos Swiss Sustainable Equities (managed by Banque Cantonale Vaudoise): ***
- Ethos – Equities Sustainable World ex-CH (managed by Banque Cantonale Vaudoise): ***
- Clartan – Ethos ESG Europe Small & Mid Cap (managed by Clartan Associés): ***
“We are very happy with this result which demonstrates that the sustainability strategy of the funds that we offer to our clients is not only ambitious but that it is also based on quality management based on strong convictions,” underlines Vincent Kaufmann, director of ‘Ethos. It is also a reward for the work of all our teams and the very good collaboration we have with our banking partners.”
Created in 2016 by the University of Hamburg, the FNG label is a recognized quality standard for sustainable investment funds, particularly in German-speaking countries. The assessment includes transparency criteria and consideration of labor and human rights, environmental protection and the fight against corruption in investments. The exclusion of certain sectors (nuclear, coal, tobacco, arms, etc.) and the verification of each participation according to certain sustainability criteria are also part of the analysis.
However, the FNG label goes beyond a simple portfolio analysis. The 111 questions notably assess sustainable investment style, investment process, ESG research capabilities and shareholder engagement and dialogue measures. Only funds that excel in the areas of “institutional credibility”, “product standards” and “portfolio focus” (stock selection, engagement and disclosure of key performance indicators) receive three stars.
The FNG sustainability certification must be renewed every year. The independent review and evaluation is carried out by the non-profit scientific association FIRST in collaboration with a university spin-off (“Advanced Impact Research”). The academic direction is provided by Professor Timo Busch from the University of Hamburg.
