a.s.r. impact investing: sustainable fish

Institutional investors are increasingly faced with the challenge of achieving both financial returns and social impact. At a.s.r. asset management, striking that balance is a daily priority. A concrete example of this is the ASR Global Impact Equity Fund. With EUR 420 million in assets invested in shares spread across 30 impact companies, this fund invests in companies that contribute to sustainable transitions, such as the transition to responsible food production.

Responsible food production: fish farming

Global demand for sustainably produced fish is growing, partly due to increasing consumer awareness of environmental issues such as overfishing and habitat destruction. With the ASR Global Impact Equity Fund, we invest in areas such as land-based aquaculture and respond to the demand for sustainably produced fish as a scalable solution with growth prospects.

Sustainability objectives

a.s.r. asset management wants its investments to contribute to the transformation to a sustainable food system worldwide; an initiative that fits in well with a.s.r.'s philosophy. These investments meet the broader sustainability goals of investors, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 14 (life below water).

Ko van Nieuwenhuijzen, fund manager at a.s.r. asset management, talks about the strategic value of investing in sustainably produced fish as an example of an impact company within the ASR Global Impact Equity Fund.

How does a.s.r. invest in the impact companies within the fund?

“At a.s.r. asset management, we invest in companies that, in addition to generating revenue, are also committed to the transition to a more sustainable economy. We do this not only as a shareholder, but also as an investment partner. This means that in certain cases we not only acquire existing shares from other shareholders, but sometimes also participate in new financing rounds to enable growth. In this way, we support both the continuity and expansion of companies.”

What makes fish production sustainable in this case?

“Our investments focus on so-called ‘land-based aquaculture’ in a closed recirculating system, which allows for complete control over water quality. This prevents negative impacts on natural ecosystems. The model for sustainable fish farming in which we like to invest uses renewable energy and eliminates the need for antibiotics, while at the same time offering high quality and scalability. Certifications, such as ASC and BAP, are important to a.s.r. asset management in order to underline its commitment to sustainability. Investments in fish farming are an example of how institutional investors can make a positive impact and contribute to the sustainability of specific sectors, in this case fisheries. Supporting innovative companies fulfills ESG objectives and contributes to the stability and future-proofing of investment portfolios.

What does the future of impact investing look like?

“Impact investing is no longer a niche activity, but an essential part of modern investment strategies. As investors, we are genuinely committed to companies that are working towards the transition to a sustainable world and we are keen to actively contribute to the positive impact of sectors. For institutional investors such as pension funds, our ASR Global Impact Equity Fund offers investments in innovative companies with a clear ESG strategy and growth prospects.”

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This article contains advertising. Please consult the prospectus of the ASR Global Impact Equity Fund and the sustainability information about this fund before making an investment decision, and do not base your decision solely on sustainability characteristics.

Risks
Impact investing brings specific risks as well as financial opportunities. For example, sustainable and impact-oriented investments may be less diversified, which increases volatility. There is also the risk that companies or projects will not achieve the intended social or environmental impact (impact risk). Regulations and market conditions can also affect returns. Investors should be aware of these factors and assess whether the strategy is in line with their risk profile. Potential relevant risks are listed in the fund's prospectus.

Our investment strategy
The ASR Global Impact Equity Fund invests in companies that aim to achieve a measurable and positive impact in the ecological and social spheres. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are used to measure progress toward these sustainable goals (see https://sdgs.un.org/goals). These SDGs consist of 17 environmental or social goals set by the United Nations to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental pollution, and to create a more sustainable future for all people. Each of these 17 goals has specific, measurable, and time-bound objectives and targets. The companies in which the fund invests intend to make a material and measurable contribution to one or more SDGs. No benchmark is used to achieve the sustainable investment objective. In addition to achieving its sustainable objective, the fund focuses on achieving financial returns. To this end, the fund aims to achieve at least a positive real financial return in the long term. The fund uses the MSCI World Net Total Return EUR Index as a benchmark for comparing long-term financial results. The fund is actively managed.