In June 2021, Erste Group committed to ensure the availability of sustainable investment products for its customers and to provide more information for sustainable financial decisions. The commitments are being implemented by Erste Asset Management.
The following progress has been made so far (as of 30.05.2022):
1. Expansion of the sustainable product portfolio
Erste Asset Management has committed to increase the number of its funds with the Austrian Eco-label by 50% to 17 by the end of 2023. At the same time, Erste Group aims to offer its clients in seven markets the opportunity to invest in ESG products.
At the time of signing the Green Consumption Pledge, 11 investment funds had been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel (UZ 49). As of 30.05.022, three additional funds have been added:
-) ERSTE RESPONSIBLE BOND EM CORPORATE
-) ERSTE RESPONSIBLE BOND GLOBAL HIGH YIELD
-) ERSTE FAIR INVEST
2. Ongoing communication on ESG issues
We regularly inform our sales partners and institutional clients about ESG issues and report on the analysis results and investments of our sustainable product range.
For example, there were several webinars for retail sales advisors of the savings banks and Erste Bank Austria. These webinars were also made available to advisors via Intranet. In total, more than 1.000 different consultants were trained in the area of ESG. In addition to the advisors, webinars were also held for our customers on a quarterly basis.
On the institutional side, an ESG event was held on 28.04.2022 with specialists and customers, which was attended by top-class participants.
An overview of all ESG publications can be found on our website
In the previous year 2021, 37 blog posts were published on Erste Asset Management's investment blog in the ESG category. By the end of May 2022, 11 more posts have been added in the ESG section.
ESG dossiers on the topics green washing and social responsibility (2021) and on green power (2022) were published: Green Pledge Publikationsübersicht (erste-am.at)
Furthermore, the Sustainability Handbook was updated and published:
3. ESG Reporting (SDG Reporting and Impact-Reporting)
A key component is the reporting on ESG and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) of the United Nations. A major goal has been achieved in that SDG goals are now regularly reported on by 125 investment funds and this information has been made publicly available on our website.
SDG reporting successfully implemented
One goal was to achieve SDG reportings (Sustainable Development Goals) for all "ERSTE" labeled funds by the end of 2021.
We are proud that we were able to successfully implement the contributions at company level regarding the impact on SDGs based on the SDG methodology. SDG reportings are now published on an ongoing basis for 125 funds: Green Pledge Publikationsübersicht (erste-am.at)
Example of SDG Reporting:
Impact Reporting
For all “ERSTE” labeled impact funds (Article 9 EU Disclosure Regulation) there is a separate impact reporting:
-) ERSTE (WWF) STOCK ENVIRONMENT
-) ERSTE GREEN INVEST
-) ERSTE RESPONSIBLE BOND GLOBAL IMPACT
-) ERSTE FAIR INVEST
-) ERSTE MICROFINANCE
4. Active voting based on sustainable criteria
The United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) form the basis of the sustainable investment approach. As a signatory, EAM has undertaken to integrate the following principles in its investment policy:
- We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
- We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
- We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
- We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
- We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
- We will report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
Our report on voting behavior during the past year 2021 can be found here:
EAM Engagement & Voting Report
Risk notes:
ERSTE RESPONSIBLE BOND EM CORPORATE
ERSTE RESPONSIBLE BOND GLOBAL HIGH YIELD
ERSTE FAIR INVEST
ERSTE (WWF) STOCK ENVIRONMENT
ERSTE GREEN INVEST
ERSTE RESPONSIBLE BOND GLOBAL IMPACT
ERSTE RESPONSIBLE MICROFINANCE
Disclaimer
This document is an advertisement. Please refer to the prospectus of the UCITS or to the Information for Investors pursuant to Art 21 AIFMG of the alternative investment fund and the Key Information Document before making any final investment decisions. Unless indicated otherwise, source: Erste Asset Management GmbH. Our languages of communication are German and English.
The prospectus for UCITS (including any amendments) is published in accordance with the provisions of the InvFG 2011 in the currently amended version. Information for Investors pursuant to Art 21 AIFMG is prepared for the alternative investment funds (AIF) administered by Erste Asset Management GmbH pursuant to the provisions of the AIFMG in connection with the InvFG 2011. The fund prospectus, Information for Investors pursuant to Art 21 AIFMG, and the Key Information Document can be viewed in their latest versions at the website www.erste-am.com within the section mandatory publications or obtained in their latest versions free of charge from the domicile of the management company and the domicile of the custodian bank. The exact date of the most recent publication of the fund prospectus, the languages in which the Key Information Document is available, and any additional locations where the documents can be obtained can be viewed on the website www.erste-am.com. A summary of investor rights is available in German and English on the website www.erste-am.com/investor-rights as well as at the domicile of the management company.
The management company can decide to revoke the arrangements it has made for the distribution of unit certificates abroad, taking into account the regulatory requirements.
Detailed information on the risks potentially associated with the investment can be found in the fund prospectus or Information for investors pursuant to Art 21 AIFMG of the respective fund. If the fund currency is a currency other than the investor's home currency, changes in the corresponding exchange rate may have a positive or negative impact on the value of his investment and the amount of the costs incurred in the fund - converted into his home currency.
Our analyses and conclusions are general in nature and do not take into account the individual needs of our investors in terms of earnings, taxation, and risk appetite. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of the future performance of a fund.