Erste Asset Management receives top ratings from world’s biggest sustainability reporting  

More than 3,800 asset managers globally report on sustainable investment activities

Thousands of companies report on their sustainable investment activities every year as part of PRI reporting. According to the UN PRI, over 3,800 companies submitted their reports this year. According to the UN PRI, PRI reporting is the largest global reporting project for responsible investments.

In the course of the PRI reporting, investors have to disclose how they integrate the six principles of the UN PRI into their investment decisions and how they promote responsible and sustainable investing. The reporting includes the mandatory categories of policy governance and strategy and confidence-building measures.

On the other hand, the report covers categories that depend on the asset classes that the respective investor manages – using Erste Asset Management as an example, these are the categories of equities (listed equity) and bonds (fixed income). Up to 100% can be achieved in each category – a score of over 90 means a 5-star rating.

Erste AM ratings clearly above peer group median

Erste AM not only achieved the highest possible rating of five stars in all categories – it is also clearly above the median of its peer group in all areas. This peer group is composed of all European investment companies that participate in PRI reporting. In the categories “Policy Governance & Strategy” and “Confidence-building Measures”, the peer group includes around 1,400 asset managers, while in the remaining categories it includes 240 to 400 investment companies.

“We are particularly pleased that we have outperformed the median in all categories in the highly competitive European market, where the leading sustainable fund companies are based. This underlines our commitment to remaining a pioneer in sustainability and the first port of call for sustainable investments," says Walter Hatak, Head of Responsible Investments at Erste AM, emphasising the importance of the top rating. Please note: investments in sustainable securities also involve risks as well as opportunities.

Results facilitate comparison within the asset management industry

For the reporting companies, the PRI reporting facilitates a comparison with other investors to assess and improve their commitment to sustainable and responsible investments. Although no detailed results are published for other companies in the peer group, a comparison with the median in the individual categories provides an overview of the performance in relation to the benchmark.

“Companies that report not only benefit from a clear and comprehensive assessment of their responsible and sustainable investment activities, but also gain valuable insights into how their performance compares with that of their industry peers,” according to the UN PRI website.

Globally leading initiative for responsible investment

The United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is the world’s leading initiative for responsible investment. Since 2006, the initiative has pursued the goal of establishing social and ecological issues in the investment industry. At the heart of the initiative are six principles for investors that are intended to serve as a guide for sustainable and responsible investment.

In 2009, Erste Asset Management was the first Austrian asset manager to sign the UN PRI, thereby committing itself to actively shaping the further development of the market for sustainable investments.

About us

Erste Asset Management GmbH (Erste AM) is an international asset management company with a strong position in Central and Eastern Europe. Erste Asset Management is backed by the financial strength of Erste Group Bank AG (Erste Group). At its locations in Austria, Germany, Croatia, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, Erste AM manages assets of EUR 84.0bn (as of 30 October 2024).