Synopses & Reviews
Praise for Sustainable Investing for Institutional Investors"Mirjam Staub-Bisang and her contributors have written a valuable primer on sustainable investment for institutional investors interested in a practical approach to the investment fundamentals and products available to European investors. She navigates the core issues with clarity and introduces the reader to a sophisticated summary of strategies for integrating environmental, social, and governance issues into structured portfolios. This is a real resource for portfolio advisors eager to get started in sustainable investment."
—Melissa Brown, Director, Responsible Research
"Sustainable investment: the investment theme of the future or a niche for tree huggers? Mirjam Stuab-Bisang gives a compelling argument for sustainable investment, discussing the pertinent global issues and strategies in a manner that is both informational and captivating. This book serves as an excellent guide for practitioners by identifying realistic sub-categories such as asset classes, regions, and themes, and by providing linkages to academic research and tangible case studies. A must-read for investors engaged in responsible investment."
—Wolfgang Engshuber, Chairman of UN Principles for Responsible Investment
"Mirjam Staub-Bisang could not have been more topical and timelier with her book. Players around the globe in corporations (whether for profit or not), policymaking, politics, and academia grapple with the pressing social and environmental challenges of our time. Nowhere is this more evident than at the large multilateral gatherings such as the WEF or the G20. Investors, too, increasingly seek to become part of the solution. For institutional investors aiming to align their investment strategies with the issues at hand to become responsible investors, Mirjiam Staub-Bisang's book provides an excellent overview of various alternative approaches and practical examples that demonstrate that responsible investing can be done and makes a difference."
—Cecilia Reyes, CIO, Zurich Financial Services Group
"This book provides an excellent framework and highly relevant case studies for practitioners and scholars interested in finance and sustainability."
—Iris Bohnet, Professor of Public Policy and Academic Dean, Harvard Kennedy School
"This is the most comprehensive work on sustainable investing at present."
—Dr. Joachim Faber, Head of Allianz Global Investors, Member of the Executive Board of Allianz SE
Review
"At Unilever we firmly believe that a sustainable and equitable business model focused on providing long term benefit to society is also ultimately in the best interest of shareholders." -- Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever
Synopsis
A comprehensive guide to socially responsible investing (SRI)With concerns about climate change increasing among investors, many are looking for opportunities that offer positive social as well as monetary returns. Sustainable Investing for Institutional Investors: Risk, Regulation and Strategies explores the key issues related to "Socially Responsible Investment" (SRI) for institutional investors and trustees, including investment strategies, risk and returns, market data, regulatory frameworks, and more. Looking at all investment classes, including bonds, equities, real estate, commodities, and many others, the book provides an in-depth view of SRI-relevant asset classes to help you decide which is best for you.
To better contextualize SRI opportunities and challenges, the book presents 20 case studies involving institutional investors that are currently following a sustainable investment strategy and how they have approached SRI. For business leaders already familiar with or practicing corporate social responsibility and/or environmentally sustainable management, SRI is the next step to turning modern corporations into good citizens, and this book contains everything you need to get started.
- Provides a comprehensive overview on all aspects of sustainable investing relevant for institutional investors and trustees
- Explores sustainable investment strategies across all asset classes
- Includes 20 SRI case studies that show investors at work around the world
- Features a Foreword by Dr. Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum
Featuring everything you need to understand and benefit from the opportunities presented by environmentally sustainable investing, Sustainable Investing for Institutional Investors is essential reading for individual investors, their advisors, and anyone interested in making profitable, socially conscious investment choices.
Synopsis
As economic markets become increasingly interconnected, the effects of globalization on investors are unavoidable. Climate change, poverty, environmental disasters, and the growing scarcity of resources compounded by the rising economic activity of newly industrializing countries will continue to contribute to the challenge of sustainable development.
Nobody understands this better than Mirjam Staub-Bisang. In Sustainable Investing for Institutional Investors, she— with the help of experienced contributors—reveals how financial professionals can use this market-oriented approach to fulfill their fiduciary duty of achieving long-term results in a more sustainable manner.
Divided into four comprehensive parts, this reliable resource provides investors with valuable insights on making intelligent decisions about protecting their assets and seizing opportunities. Along the way, it covers the most essential elements of this discipline, including:
The global and regional markets for sustainable investments and the risk and return of various strategies and products across asset classes
The legal framework for sustainable investments and the implementation of sustainable investment strategies within the institutional investment process
Sustainable investment strategies across various asset classes—bonds, equities, real estate, private equity, real assets, commodities, and hedge funds—with key contributions from academics and industry specialists in these areas
The sustainable investment approaches of institutional investment groups—including pension funds, insurance companies, charitable trusts, and family offices—presented through nearly thirty case studies
Sustainable investing has started to establish itself in the markets and in the minds of investors. It's likely to become a megatrend in asset management. With this timely guide, you'll quickly discover how to take advantage of this approach and learn how to incorporate it into your professional investing endeavors moving forward.
About the Author
Mirjam Staub-Bisang, PHD, is the managing partner and CEO of Independent Capital Management AG, an asset management and real estate investment company based in Zurich, Switzerland. She holds an MBA from INSEAD and a doctorate in law from the University of Zurich, and is licensed to practice law. She has occupied senior management positions in asset management, private equity, and corporate finance/M&A activities, including posts at Commerzbank and Merrill Lynch in London and at Swiss Life Private Equity Partners in Zurich. She serves on the management boards of various companies and charitable institutions and was honored with the title of "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum in 2009.
Table of Contents
FOREWORD.
FUNDAMENTALS
1. Starting point
1.1. Ecological and social challenges of our times
1.2. Sustainable investments as part of the solution
1.3. Conclusions for practitioners
2.What does sustainability mean?
2.1. Definition of sustainability
2.2. History of sustainability
2.3. Definition of sustainable investments
2.4. Terminology in current use
Conclusions for practitioners
Sustainable investment strategies
3.1. Overview
3.2. Core strategies
3.3. Broad strategies
3.4. Combined strategies
3.5. Use of sustainable investment strategies in individual asset classes
3.6. Conclusions for practitioners
3.7. Excursus: ESG Rating
4.Market for sustainable investments
4.1. Market participants
4.2. Investment volumes
4.3. Outlook
4.4. Conclusions for practitioners
5.Return of sustainable investments
5.1. Financial return
5.2. Social and ecological return
5.3. Conclusions for practitioners
IMPLEMENTATION
6. Regulatory framework
6.1. Sustainable investments and the fiduciary duty
6.2. Regulations regarding sustainable investments in Europe
Conclusions for practitioners 7.Sustainable investments strategies in the institutional investment process
Investment organization
7.2. Investment policy
7.3. Asset allocation
7.4. Manager and product selection
7.5. Investment controlling and reporting
7.6. Risk management
7.7. Conclusions for practitioners
EXPERT CONTRIBUTIONS
8.Sustainable investment strategies across asset classes
8.1. Fixed income
8.2. Equities
8.3. Real estate
8.4. Private Equity
8.5. Real assets
8.6. Commodities
8.7. Hedge Funds
8.8. Structured products
CASE STUDIES
9.Examples of institutional investors
9.1. Overview
9.2. Pension funds
9.3. Insurance companies
9.4. Charitable foundations and trusts
9.5. Family offices
APPENDIX