From combatting climate change to ensuring greater diversity in organisations, the need for insurers and their asset managers to account for environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors within their investment decisions has never been greater.
With current voluntary initiatives such as the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) set to be joined by regulations from the European Commission and the UKs Prudential Regulatory Authority, to name but two, insurers who take a proactive approach will likely fare best.
With its 20 years' experience of sustainable investments now enhanced with a trading and portfolio management platform that fully integrates ESG performance across portfolio managers, DWS has put responsible investing at its core.
Managing roughly €30bn of assets through its dedicated responsible investment strategies and accredited by the UN Green Climate Fund, DWS routinely assesses the carbon footprint of its portfolios while assessing green sovereign bonds against its bespoke ESG metrics.
With both its chief investment officer for responsible investments and head of responsible investing reporting into its global client group, DWS ensures sustainability is factored in at the highest levels.
Mark Fehlmann, head of European insurance coverage at DWS, said: "In Europe in particular, insurers are fully embracing ESG and integrating related considerations on both sides of the balance sheet and we are proud that the market recognises the pervasive integration of ESG in all aspects of investing at DWS."
Describing it as one of the first to value ESG, the judges praised DWS's quality research and continual pursuit of innovation.