AIR, together with the University of Hamburg, has published an article in Absolut Report on the topic of impact measurement for impact investments. The article is based on a recently published white paper on the topic. This is because the impact investment segment is increasingly in demand from institutional investors. However, there is a lack of clarity with regard to classification and demarcation. It is necessary to establish standards for impact measurement that are recognized by the various players and initiatives. It is also important to find solutions that transcend national borders.

You can read the article here (only available in German language/please use a language translation tool of your choice).

 

The paper “Position Paper on Improving the SFDR – Proposal for financial product categories from a sustainability perspective” was produced in cooperation between the Sustainable Finance Research Group at the University of Hamburg represented by Prof. Timo Busch, Advanced Impact Research (AIR) and F.I.R.S.T e.V.. It has been nourished by the review- and assessment works that have been done for several hundreds of investment funds regularly applying for the SRI quality standard FNG-Label.

It proposes categories for financial products from a sustainability perspective in the context of the current targeted consultation of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). The goal is to find a balance between clear terminology, consistency between existing sustainable finance regulations, clarity of proposed categories for investors and minimum effort for transitioning to the new categories.

Read the full paper here.

 

AIR’s Chief Senior Sustainable Finance Researcher, Eric Prüßner, comments on the EU Commission’s answers to the questions posed by the ESAs concerning the implementation of the SFDR in Tagesspiegel Background Sustainable Finance.

You can find the article in Tagesspiegel here (only available in German language/please use a language translation tool of your choice).

The growth of the FNG-Label as a quality standard for sustainable investments continues. In this year’s Awarding Ceremony, 291 financial products underwent a comprehensive scientific evaluation and were awarded with the independent quality label.

You can find further information on the FNG-Label here, and the QNG’s official press release concerning the Awarding Ceremony here (only available in German language/please use a language translation tool of your choice).

Simone Wagner, expert for Sustainable Finance of the University of Hamburg, addresses what sustainability labels can do for financial products. Do they really help to make the financial branch greener? – And: The FNG-Label is a “holistic sustainability label”.

Further information concerning the interview as well as the full recording “Greenwashing in der Finanzbranche: Helfen Nachhaltigkeitssiegel?” can be found here (only available in German language/please use a language translation tool of your choice).