Robeco independent UN Global Compact participant

Robeco’s CEO, Roderick Munsters comments; “Robeco is a pioneer in Sustainability Investing and I’m proud that the company name is now among those of the other participants in the UN Global Compact, after having been a participant via Rabobank Group for over ten years. Our new shareholder, ORIX, fully supports our ambitions and activities in the field of sustainability investing, which feature prominently in our Strategy 2014-2018”

The UN Global Compact is a strategic initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their strategies and operations with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. With over 12,000 corporate participants and other stakeholders from more than 145 countries, it is the largest voluntary corporate-responsibility initiative in the world. The UN Global Compact supports the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in addition to many other initiatives to push sustainable business practices.

Robeco benefits from being part of the UN Global Compact in terms of advancing sustainability solutions in partnership with a range of stakeholders, including UN agencies, governments, civil society organizations, promoters of labor standards, and other parties. As a participant, Robeco can also access the United Nations’ extensive knowledge of and experience with sustainability and development issues; utilize the UN Global Compact management tools and resources; and use the opportunity to engage in specialized work streams in environmental, social and governance (ESG) realms.

Robeco has been integrating ESG criteria into its products for many years. At the forefront of active ownership since 2005, Robeco engages with companies in which it invests, to improve their sustainability practices. In 2006 Robeco acquired RobecoSAM, an investment specialist focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing. The entire Robeco group benefits from RobecoSAM’s sustainability expertise and insights, investment processes, and product offering. With around 130 specialist staff located in Zurich and Rotterdam, RobecoSAM’s sustainability team includes experts in both financial analysis and sustainability. In addition to the comprehensive range of sustainability investment solutions and services it provides, RobecoSAM takes an active approach to corporate engagement and voting.