At the end of June 2022 the Confederation launched the Swiss Climate Score. They are intended to make the climate-friendly orientation of financial investments visible. The ESG reporting standards of the Swiss Pension Fund Association ASIP also apply to pension funds. Two new sustainability reports from Zürcher Kantonalbank Asset Management summarize the required data in a clear and transparent manner.
New sustainability reports offer clear decision-making support
Investor information from 8. March 2024
Fridge labels instead of reference books, clear information in a small space instead of confusion caused by excess. Thanks to this pragmatic approach, the "Swiss Climate Scores" launched by the Federal Council in 2022 and the ESG reporting standards expanded as an industry solution by the Swiss Pension Fund Association (ASIP) are set to become the simple and transparent benchmark for sustainability indicators for financial products.
The most important metrics on one page, clearly structured, graphically presented and easy to understand - this is exactly what the new reports from Zürcher Kantonalbank Asset Management are like (see image below). As a pioneer in the Swiss financial centre, ZKB offers its institutional clients automatic PDF reports on all active and passive funds and, on request, for individual assetmanagement mandates. Both new publications contain the sustainability key figures as at the end of 2023.
The new sustainability reports are aimed in particular at pension funds. After all, they bear the fiduciary responsibility for the sustainable and future-oriented management of their policyholders' assets. In addition to a return in line with the market, the focus is on risks, which also include environmental, social and corporate governance aspects. This makes transparent sustainability information on the individual financial investments all the more important in this context. The "Swiss Climate Scores" and ASIP's ESG reporting standards are intended to support investors and encourage them to realise their own sustainability goals and align their capital investments with the climate goals of the Paris Agreement. To this end, sustainability factors such as environmental, climate, social and corporate governance aspects are included in the investment considerations alongside standard investment criteria such as strategy, risk and return.
Key sustainability indicators at a glance
The non-binding "Swiss Climate Scores" provide investors with information such as the CO2e intensity of the portfolios or the extent to which they are exposed to fossil fuels such as coal and whether they generate more than
5 per cent of their income from fossil fuels. Investors also receive information on the climate dialogue between the companies and the financial institution, which is an important prerequisite for the transition to more sustainable business models. The data is divided into a current status quo and a section on the topic of "Transition to net zero".
The sectorsolution of the Swiss pension funds goes even further, also including information on property investments and governmentbonds. The ASIP standards with a recommendatory character were developed in collaboration with the Asset Management Association (AMAS), Swiss Sustainable Finance and the investment foundations, among others.
In the two new reports – the "Swiss Climate Scores" report and the ASIP ESG report – ZKB has for the first time summarised the key sustainability indicators of its financial products in accordance with the respective standards and offers them to its clients as a clear basis for decision-making. The "Swiss Climate Scores" reports are available on the website for the respective funds. The new ASIP ESG reports on the Swisscanto investment solutions for pension funds are available on request. In addition, the more detailed sustainability reports are also available from Zürcher Kantonalbank.
About Zürcher Kantonalbank Asset Management
Zürcher Kantonalbank is a leading universal bank in the Zurich economic region with national roots and international reach. It is an independent public-law institution of the Canton of Zurich. Proven asset management specialists at Zürcher Kantonalbank develop high-quality investment and pension solutions for private investors, companies and institutions. It is known for its pioneering role in sustainable investments, and the Swisscanto funds it manages as asset manager regularly receive national and international awards.
Legal Information
Legal Information
This document serves informational and promotional purposes. It does not constitute an offer or a recommendation to acquire, hold or sell financial instruments or to purchase products or services, nor does it form the basis of any contract or commitment whatsoever.
The products and services described in this document are not available to US persons under the relevant regulations (in particular Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933). This document is intended for distribution in Switzerland and is not directed to investors in any other jurisdiction.
The document has been prepared by Zürcher Kantonalbank with due diligence and may contain information from carefully selected third party sources. However, Zürcher Kantonalbank does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the information contained therein and disclaims any liability for damages resulting from the use of the document. The recipient is advised to check the information, if necessary with the assistance of an advisor, for compatibility with his or her personal circumstances and for legal, regulatory, tax and other implications. The information contained in this document may be changed by Zürcher Kantonalbank at any time without prior notice.
Please note that any information on historical performance is not an indicator of current or future performance and that any performance data shown may not take into account the commissions and costs charged on the issue and redemption of fund units. Any estimates of future returns and risks contained in the document are for information purposes only. Zürcher Kantonalbank does not provide any guarantee in this regard. Every investment is associated with risks, in particular those of fluctuations in value, returns and possibly exchange rates. With regard to any statements concerning sustainability, it is pointed out that there is no generally accepted framework in Switzerland and no generally applicable list of factors to be taken into account in order to ensure the sustainability of investments.
This document has not been prepared by the "Financial Analysis" department within the meaning of the "Guidelines to Ensure the Independence of Financial Analysis" issued by the Swiss Bankers Association and is consequently not subject to these guidelines.
Unless otherwise stated, the information in this document refers to Swisscanto funds domiciled in Switzerland ("Swisscanto (CH)") and/or investment groups of Swisscanto Investment Foundations.
The sole binding basis for the acquisition of Swisscanto funds are the current fund documents (e.g. fund contracts/contractual conditions, prospectuses, essential investor information or basic information sheets as well as annual reports), which can be obtained at swisscanto.com, from Swisscanto Fondsleitung AG, Bahnhofstrasse 9, 8001 Zurich or from all offices of Zürcher Kantonalbank.
The sole binding basis for investments in investment groups of the Swisscanto Investment Foundations are the statutes, regulations, investment guidelines and any prospectuses of the Swisscanto Investment Foundation or the Swisscanto Avant Investment Foundation. These can be obtained from the Swisscanto Investment Foundations, Bahnhofstrasse 9, 8001 Zurich.
© 2024 Zürcher Kantonalbank. All rights reserved.