Responsible Investment Universe
The definition of our investment universe is the corner stone in building our funds.
Through a series of strict criteria, we filter those companies that we include or exclude.
The following list is an excerpt of the changes.
Included March/April/May 2014
3M Co (sector: industrial conglomerates) is a global multi-technology company mainly known for its adhesive
products, abrasives, foils, patches, and its connecting components for copper and optical fibre networks. They are
used in the consumer, electronics, energy, medicine, healthcare, industrial, security, advertising, and design sectors.
Use of life cycle analyses to ensure a sustainable range of products
Extensive measures taken to reduce the waste caused by production and hazardous air pollutants
Exclusion criterion “infringement with employment rights” has lapsed
Significant reduction of CO2 emissions in the past few years; however, some competitors have been
even more ambitious
Total SA (sector: integrated oil and gas) is one of the largest European mineral oil companies. The group’s activities
cover the entire spectrum of the oil industry, i.e. exploration, production, refining, and sale of oil and special
chemicals products
Operation of extremely energy-efficient refineries
Exclusive use of double-hull tankers
Extensive activities in the area of renewable forms of energy, e.g. largest shareholder of SunPower
Corp, and comprehensive R&D measures in biomass
EAM rates the company’s shalegas activities negative
2nd Generation
The project BioTfuel exemplifies the oil company Total’s reliance on
second-generation biofuels. The plan is to produce 200,000 tonnes
of fuel from 1,000,000 tonnes of cellulose biomass (such as wood
waste and straw) until 2020. In contrast to first-generation biofuels,
which are produced from vegetable oils and sugar, the second
generation is based on raw materials that are not suitable for
consumption.
Excluded March/April/May 2014
Hennes & Mauritz AB (sector: apparel retail) is among the world’s best-known textile retailers. The H&M group
sells fashion, accessories, and shoes for men, women, and children under its own brand in a network of stores.
Violation of the exclusion criterion “infringement with working rights” in connection with accusations
made against a supplier from Bangladesh concerning interference with trade unions
Weak corporate governance assessment in the areas of shareholder rights and due to the
non-existence of a remuneration committee
Initial, rudimentary efforts to increase the use of more environmentally friendly materials
Comprehensive business strategy with regard to fur, leather, and animal welfare