Understand
The challenge is to know not only how changes in our environment impact our business, but also what impact our business has on changes in our environment. This is true for the companies and projects we invest in, true for us, and true for our investors.
A research philosophy focused on the Sustainable Development Goals
Seeking to act as a ‘responsible investor’ implies an understanding of the economic sphere, and more generally of the society and environment in which it is embedded. This approach cannot be limited to a study of the short- to medium-term profitability of each individual asset.
This approach requires an understanding of interactions among all the various participants: public and private actors, small, medium and large companies, developed and developing economies, in order to ensure that the growth of each is compatible with the equilibrium of the system as a whole. It must also adopt a long-term scale, ensuring that today's choices will not have negative consequences for future generations.
To understand these interactions, our fundamentals-driven management draws on a responsible investment research team, strengthened by the complementary expertise of its members and united around a common philosophy, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations.
Our take on the challenges of sustainable development
These 17 Goals lay a framework for positive action on key environmental and social challenges. For companies and investors, this means not only socially responsible conduct, but also an ability to offer solutions via innovative products, services and technologies.
Our approach to analysis seeks above all to identify those companies and projects able to provide solutions that will help meet the SDGs.
Source: United Nations, 2015
Our sector vision
Energy
Mobility
Building
Resources
Consumer
Health
Technologies
Finance
Controversial Activities
Going further
Despite the health context, we have continued to implement our biodiversity roadmap. You will find below a progress report on our different work areas, as the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Conservation Congress is taking place in Marseille, with the aim of taking action for a nature-based reconstruction, for climate change and for post-2020 biodiversity.
Carbon neutrality, adaptation to climate change, preservation of biodiversity, and combating inequality: these are all complex and interconnected issues that need to be addressed in a holistic manner, rather than piecemeal. Investors wishing to participate in the transition to a fairer and more sustainable economy, will not lack for challenges the coming decades, nor should they lack opportunities to play a positive role.
Forests cover almost a third of world land surface, on a decreasing trend as reforestation notably in the West and in Asia does not compensate local deforestation, in South America and Africa. But the rationale for forest expansion is strong, and developing wood-based productions can contribute to meeting some global challenges in various ways. In this context, properly designed and well managed forest plantations should be considered in impact-oriented investment universes, to support the development of a sustainable economy.