RobecoSAM Celebrates 20 Years in Sustainability Investing

​August 26, 2015 /3BL Media/ - RobecoSAM, the investment specialist focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing (SI), this month celebrates 20 years of pioneering efforts to advance the field of SI in the areas of ESG integration, Theme funds and Impact Investing. The Company was founded in August 1995 based on the conviction that integrating ESG factors into traditional financial analysis can generate long-term value. Just four years later it co-founded the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), the first global and most influential sustainability benchmarks, with S&P Dow Jones Indices.

New frontiers in Sustainability Investing

Since its inception, RobecoSAM has been at the forefront of recognizing the importance of identifying material Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors that drive business success. Working closely with companies, experts and academia around the world, RobecoSAM has pioneered and continuously refined the proprietary methodology that translates sustainability insights into investment solutions. RobecoSAM is committed to serving investors’ changing SI needs by evolving and expanding its capabilities through the strategic enhancement of current resources in the years to come.

Michael Baldinger, Chief Executive Officer, RobecoSAM: “Today, professional investors turn to RobecoSAM for holistic SI solutions across a broad range of asset classes – always in the knowledge that our product capabilities remain on the cutting edge of emerging sustainability trends. Innovation and growth initiatives will be the driving forces in the years to come with the aim of further expanding and becoming the leading Sustainability Investing hub globally.”

Roderick Munsters, Chief Executive Officer, Robeco Group: “Congratulations to RobecoSAM for its 20 year track record of pioneering SI. RobecoSAM’s expertise is key to achieving the Group’s ambition to be a global leader in SI and we are proud to count on their specialist know-how. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with RobecoSAM so that we remain at the forefront of SI now and in the decades to come.”

Setting standards and raising the bar

As one of the co-founders of the DJSI, RobecoSAM has helped to create a competitive platform where companies receive recognition for their sustainability practices. The results of RobecoSAM’s annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) form the basis on which the coveted spots in the DJSI are awarded.

The DJSI World has emerged to be the gold standard for corporate sustainability over the past years. The in-depth sustainability performance assessment methodology identifies companies that are better equipped to recognize and respond to emerging sustainability opportunities and challenges resulting from global and industry trends. It also serves as an essential tool for companies to improve their operations and their sustainability ranking.

RobecoSAM has amassed CSA results for over 15 years to develop a proprietary database of financially material information. Based on this dataset, RobecoSAM offers a unique collection of investment solutions including Impact Investing, Theme Strategies, and Indices, to investors seeking the next generation of SI solutions.

For any additional inquiries, please contact:

RobecoSAM AG                                                  
François Vetri
Head of Corporate Communications                 
Josefstrasse 218                                                 
8005 Zurich / Switzerland                                
T: +41 44 653 10 02                                          
E: com@robecosam.com                                  
www.robecosam.com                                       

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About RobecoSAM

Founded in 1995, RobecoSAM is an investment specialist focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing. It offers asset management, indices, engagement, voting, impact analysis, sustainability assessments, and benchmarking services. Asset management capabilities cater to institutional asset owners and financial intermediaries and cover a range of ESG-integrated investments (in public and private equity), featuring a strong track record in resource efficiency theme strategies. Together with S&P Dow Jones Indices, RobecoSAM publishes the globally recognized Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). Based on its Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual ESG analysis of 2,900 listed companies, RobecoSAM has compiled one of the world’s most comprehensive databases of financially material sustainability information.

RobecoSAM is a member of the global pure-play asset manager Robeco, which was established in 1929 and is the center of expertise for asset management within the ORIX Corporation. As a reflection of its own commitment to advocating sustainable investment practices, RobecoSAM is a signatory of the UNPRI and a member of Eurosif, ASrIA and Ceres. Approximately 130 professionals work for RobecoSAM, which is headquartered in Zurich. As of September 30, 2014, RobecoSAM had assets under management, advice and/or license in listed and private equity* of approximately USD 10.6 billion. Additionally, RobecoSAM’s Governance & Active Ownership team** had USD 81.1 billion of assets under engagement and USD 50.3 billion of assets under voting.

Important legal information: The details given on these pages do not constitute an offer. They are given for information purposes only. No liability is assumed for the correctness and accuracy of the details given. The securities identified and described may or may not be purchased, sold or recommended for advisory clients. It should not be assumed that an investment in these securities was or will be profitable. *RobecoSAM Private Equity is the marketing name of the combined private equity divisions of Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. (‘Robeco’) and its fully owned subsidiary, RobecoSAM AG (‘RobecoSAM’). Any funds or services offered by RobecoSAM Private Equity are managed and offered by Robeco, who may have delegated certain investment advisory functions to RobecoSAM. ** RobecoSAM’s Governance & Active Ownership team is a brand name of Robeco. RobecoSAM USA is an investment adviser registered in the US.

This document is not an offering of securities nor is it intended to provide investment advice. It is intended for information purposes only. The views expressed in this commentary reflect those of the author as of the date of this commentary. Any such views are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions and RobecoSAM and Robeco disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may differ from those of other portfolio managers employed by RobecoSAM or its affiliates. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Discussions of specific companies, market returns and trends are not intended to be a forecast of future events or returns. RobecoSAM USA Inc. (“RobecoSAM USA” or the “Firm”) is an Investment Adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. RobecoSAM is a subsidiary of Robeco Groep, N.V. (“Robeco Group”), a Dutch investment management firm headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In connection with providing investment advisory services to its clients, RobecoSAM USA will utilize the services of certain personnel of RobecoSAM AG (“RobecoSAM”), and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (“RIM”), each a wholly owned subsidiary of Robeco Group. Copyright © 2015 RobecoSAM AG - all rights reserved.

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