Annual review shows sustainable investments in Switzerland resilient despite difficult market conditions // 18.04.2012
In 2011, the sustainable investment market in Switzerland managed to maintain its volume almost unchanged under difficult market conditions. This is one of the findings of the “Sustainable Investments in Switzerland” study published jointly by the independent consultancy firm onValues and the Swiss Sustainable Investment Forum, FNG Switzerland, on 18 April in Zurich. The study puts the volume of sustainable investments at the end of 2011 at 42.3 billion Swiss francs, representing growth of around one per cent from the previous year’s volume.
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FNG Switzerland at the trade fair 2! Säule // 27.03.12
For the first time, FNG Switzerland will have a booth at 2! Säule. The trade fair is taking place at Kongresshaus Zurich from 2nd May to 3rd May. FNG will provide comprehensive information about sustainable investment and up to date market figures. In addition, there will be a game at the booth that playfully illustrates the variety and possibilities that sustainable investment offers.
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TBLI CONFERENCE™ EUROPE 2012 - Zurich, Siwtzerland - Special Discounts For FNG/TBLI Members and Attendees // 06.02.2012
The location of TBLI CONFERENCE™ is Swissôtel Zurich at Oerlikon. A special arrangement has been made with Swissôtel Zurich as preferred hotel venue.
A discounted hotel package of CHF260 per night (45% discount, including VAT, excluding CHF2.50 City Tax, excluding all American Breakfast at CHF35.00) is available to FNG members attending. Speakers and Attendees who prefer to use this special arrangement and stay at the Swissôtel Zurich are requested to contact Swissôtel Zurich Reservations (T +41 44 317 32 32, F +41 44 317 34 25, E This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and mention key "HEL 11071". FNG Membership will receive a special discount; you wil shortly receive information via FNG Secretariat.
Publication of annual study on the volume of sustainable investments in Switzerland: 23% increase reported // 14.03.2011
Volume of sustainable investments in Switzerland reaches a record level / growth of 23% compared to previous year / proportion of private investors rises / increase in active voting
The sustainable investment market in Switzerland experienced further strong growth in 2010, continuing the previous year's trend. This is indicated by the findings of the study 'Sustainable Investments in Switzerland' that was published by the independent consulting firm onValues and the Sustainable Investment Forum (FNG) Switzerland in Zurich on 11 March 2011. According to the study, the volume of sustainable investments totalled CHF 42 billion at the end of 2010, representing a record level. This corresponds to an increase of 23% compared to 2009.
"The sector displayed impressive growth, demonstrating that there is an increasing demand for sustainable financial products among investors," stated Sabine Döbeli, Vice-Chairwoman of the Sustainable Investment Forum (SIF) and Head of SIF Switzerland, with regard to the latest figures. "The strength of the sustainable investment market is also mirrored by the development of net new assets: sustainable funds showed net inflows of around 4% in 2010, compared to a net asset outflow in the same range for the average Swiss fund," the finance and sustainability expert added.
Investment funds accounted for the largest proportion (58%) of sustainable investments in 2010, an increase compared to the previous year. Mandates represented 38% and structured products 4% of the market. Private investors also further strengthened their market position: their share of the market rose slightly to a total of 57%, while institutional investors saw their share decline. Equity investments remained the most dominant asset class at 63%.
According to Dr. Ivo Knoepfel, the author of the study and Managing Director of onValues, there were few changes in 2010 in terms of the use of the various sustainable investment approaches – with one exception: "We saw a significant increase in active voting, i.e. the exercising of shareholders' voting rights at Annual General Meetings," explained the finance expert. "This development is also in line with the fact that 44% of the banks and asset managers surveyed are planning to exercise their voting rights more actively in the future," added Knoepfel.
Similar to in the past, asset managers in Switzerland once again displayed a strong preference for the best-in-class approach in 2010. The same applies to the use of exclusion criteria relating to sectors such as arms and tobacco, as well as to exploitative child labour. Participants in this year's study were asked for the first time about the use of the integration approach under which social and environmental aspects, as well as criteria relating to good corporate governance, are integrated into traditional financial analyses. In total, the study identified CHF 5.6 billion of assets that are managed according to this approach.
onValues has been conducting the study about the sustainable investment market in Switzerland on behalf of SIF Switzerland on an annual basis since 2005. The survey methods used are compatible with the methodology prescribed by the European Sustainable Investment Forum (Eurosif). onValues estimates that the study covers more than 95% of the sustainable investment market in Switzerland. The study was supported by the following institutions: Bank Sarasin, Bank Vontobel, Ethos, Inrate, Kaiser Ritter Partner, Raiffeisen Switzerland, SAM Group, Swisscanto and Zürcher Kantonalbank.
The study 'Sustainable Investments in Switzerland' can be downloaded free of charge here.