With the backdrop of the growing divestment movement and the increasing interest of consumers in the climate impact of their investments, the German consumer association (Verbraucherzentrale) commissioned south pole group to conduct a study on the carbon footprint of German retail funds. The study was funded by the German Ministry for the Environment and the results were introduced at a symposium on ethical and ecological investments in Berlin, in presence of a wide range of investors, politicians, media and an interested public.
At present, the market for sustainable investments is complex and confusing, and the definition of sustainability varies among different actors. Trying to orientate within this market is therefore challenging, especially for consumers. While the transparency of investment funds is slowly increasing, the study conducted by south pole group already offers an overview of a selection of regular and sustainable funds in terms of their carbon footprint. Joined by a group of experts, Maximilian Horster of south pole group presented the study on the climate impact of German investment funds.
South pole group conducted already similar studies for the Swiss and Swedish fund markets, commissioned by WWF Switzerland and Swedwatch.