Our three sustainable equity strategies

Our sustainable equity strategies

Based on the approach described above, the equity team has developed three sustainable strategies. 

1. The  a.s.r. IndexPlus strategy

   The IndexPlus strategy was launched in 2017. This strategy is characterized by a broadly diversified portfolio with limited deviation from the benchmark index. The IndexPlus products are available in fund form for the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Global regions. The long-term equity investment strategy aims to achieve an optimal risk-return profile with limited deviation from the benchmark, given the Policy on Responsible Investments (PRI policy).
   
   We classify the ASR Sustainable American Equity Fund and the ASR ESG IndexPlus Institutional European Equity Fund as products that promote environmental and/or social characteristics as referred to in Article 8 of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. The funds aim to reduce carbon emissions and stimulate the energy transition. To achieve this, the funds aim to reduce the CO2 intensity of the portfolio by 50% by 2030 (with 2017 as the base year) and to be climate neutral by 2050, taking into account the investment objective and restrictions of the funds. In all cases, the investment funds have a substantially lower weighted average CO2 intensity than the broad market index.
    

2. The Long Term Sustainable Quality (LTSQ) strategy

   This strategy, which was also launched in 2017, involves investing in a concentrated group of sustainable quality companies. We look for companies that meet our definition of sustainable quality. These are companies that are carefully selected after an in-depth fundamental analysis, with an emphasis on their ability to create sustainable value. Sustainable value creation means that a company generates and increases value in a way that is profitable in the long term, while at the same time taking into account its impact on the environment, society, and governance (ESG factors). This forms the core of our approach to identifying and selecting companies that fit our sustainable investment strategy. Although the sustainable quality concept is similar to that of the IndexPlus strategy, the deviation from the index is greater. The strategy is available in mandate form for the Americas and Europe regions. Since 2018, the strategy has been available in fund form for the Netherlands region.
   
   

3. The Long Term Quality Impact strategy

   The Long Term Quality Impact strategy was launched in 2019. Investments that qualify for this strategy must meet the conditions for impact investments in addition to the sustainable quality conditions (as described above). Impact investing is distinguished by the intention to generate a positive impact on a sustainable future for people and the planet in addition to a market-based financial return. We select companies whose products, services, technology, or infrastructure make a measurable positive contribution to solving one or more social and environmental problems. When determining whether there is a sufficient measurable contribution to an ecological or social goal, we follow the Impact Investing Market Map drawn up by UNPRI and the variables set out therein. This global strategy is also available in mandate form.