Our planet and society face interconnected challenges, of which climate change, the ongoing loss of biodiversity, and the rise in inequality worldwide are the most eye-catching. The great pressures on our environment and social infrastructure stem from an economic system directed at maximising short-term financial profit and success is foremost measured by economic growth. Countering these systemic problems requires a radical transformation. Our system can no longer exclusively pursue economic expansion and financial return at the cost of ecologic systems and social constructs. We must transition toward a sustainable system that respects ecological balance and works for the benefit of all.
Transition themes
Based on the challenges presented by global mega-trends we have distilled seven key transition themes. These interconnected themes derive from demographic, technological, environmental, geopolitical, social, and economic trends that we believe will shape our world in the coming years.
Within these seven themes, we look for and invest in companies and organisations that materially contribute to the transition toward a sustainable society, through their products and services, or through their business practices. In the investment approach of our listed equities and bond funds, we stress the contribution of investments to one or more of these themes, but also assure that they do not impede other transitions.