The RobecoSAM Global SDG Engagement Equities Fund has a sustainable investment objective to drive a clear and measurable improvement in an investee company’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) over three to five years, according to a statement by the firm.
The strategy aims to provide long term capital growth and to include ESG considerations, while at the same time integrating sustainability risks in the investment process. The benchmark is the MSCI All Country World Index.
Michiel Plakman is the lead portfolio manager, supported by Daniela da Costa, Peter van der Werf, Giacomo Moroni and Jan Anton van Zanten.
“Robeco’s strong track record in sustainability engagement perfectly fits the aim of this strategy which is to drive clear and measurable improvements in a company’s contribution to the SDG’s while achieving attractive investment returns for our clients,” Reto Eisenhut-Quinter, head of wholesale Robeco Switzerland, said in a statement.
The fund is available to professional investors in Hong Kong and accredited investors in Singapore. It is the Dutch asset manager’s second SDG- focused equities strategy; in 2018 it launched the RobecoSAM Global SDG Equities Fund.
As exclusive partner for the six months following the launch of the strategy, UBS GWM has initiated funding of the new product this month with a target to invest $1.5bn.
“Through this collaborative effort, we connect people to contribute to a better world – and we connect attractive investment ideas with the UN SDGs . We are happy to offer our clients exclusive access to this new sustainable investment solution,” Bruno Marxer, head of global investment management at UBS GWM, said in a statement.
Robeco is headquartered in Rotterdam, and has 17 offices worldwide. As at 30 June 2021, Robeco had EUR200bn ($232bn) in AUM, of which EUR177bn is committed to ESG integration.
