Sustainable investing

Expand what's possible

The world is changing rapidly and so are investors’ priorities.1

Global awareness of sustainability has never been higher. Investors as well as consumers, corporations and policymakers are shifting their focus toward addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.2

We believe sustainability matters for all investors

At UBS, we believe sustainability is relevant to how you manage your wealth. Sustainable investing can help you advance your financial goals while contributing to sustainability outcomes. We invite you to discover the world of sustainable investing and the possibilities it offers you to pursue what matters most.

Sustainability is central to our purpose, so it’s only natural that we’re putting sustainable investing where it belongs: at the heart of what we do. It is our preferred solution for wealth management clients wishing to invest globally.3

Defining the E, S & G

ESG topics can present new opportunities as well as important considerations for any investment. However, these topics drive the strategy when it comes to sustainable investments.4


Environmental

Includes water and waste management; ways of improving energy efficiency; carbon intensity and climate risk management.


Social

Such as data privacy and security; managing supply chains effectively; diversity and equality; human capital management.


Governance

Such as addressing issues of board diversity and corporate transparency.

 

Will she always be this happy?

Live a good life on a healthy planet?

Can sustainable investing protect her future?

 

Education

Learn about sustainable investing

    What is sustainable investing?

    Sustainable investing is not an investment product, or an asset class. It’s an investment philosophy. Sustainable investing offers the potential to create better outcomes—for your portfolio and our future.

    Two fundamental approaches2

    At UBS, we see two main approaches to sustainable investing:*

    Sustainability focus-Investing in strategies with a clear sustainability objective

    Example: Intentionally investing in companies that manage a range of ESG issues and opportunities better than their competitors

    Impact investing-Investing in strategies that seek to generate measurable, verifiable and positive environmental or social outcomes

    Example: Investing in companies with the objective to engage in dialogue with management to drive progress on social or environmental outcomes

    *Please review Important information about sustainable investments in the disclosures at the end of this document.

    Myth vs. reality

    Myth

    You give up returns with sustainable investments

    Reality

    Sustainable investing offers the potential for positive social impact, in addition to competitive financial performance. So it’s little surprise the global sustainable investment market is growing. 

     

    Myth

    You can’t measure the impact of a sustainable investment

    Reality

    Measured impact is a requirement of impact investing at UBS, so you can actually see the difference you’re making. Companies are increasingly reporting environmental, social and governance information related to their businesses. 4

    Myth

    Sustainable investing is only about protecting the environment

    Reality

    Sustainable investing incorporates social and governance considerations, in addition to environmental ones. Social and governance issues include health and safety, privacy and data security, labor management and business ethics.

     

    Solutions

    How UBS can help you with a range of choices

    What we offer

     

    • Sustainable and thematic exchange traded funds, mutual funds and separately managed accounts
    • Tailored private investment opportunities
    • Differentiated intellectual capital and investment framework from our Chief Investment Office

    Approach sustainable investing your way

    Once you determine your approach, there are a few different ways you can incorporate sustainable investing into your portfolio.

    Add it on

    You may be interested in focusing on a set of particular topics or themes that you could add to an existing portfolio.

    Run it in parallel

    You may wish to add a sustainable portfolio alongside an existing one, which would allow you to see how they both perform.

    Transition

    You may be inclined to transition from traditional to sustainable investments and build a 100% sustainable portfolio.

     

     

    Insights

    Take a closer look at sustainable investing—and discover the difference it could make for your portfolio—and the world

    Key findings

    59%

    of investors surveyed are more interested in sustainable investing as a result of COVID-19 5

    69%

    of women surveyed are highly interested in sustainable investing as a result of COVID-19 5

    76%

    of younger investors surveyed are highly interested in sustainable investing as a result of COVID-19 5

    Research

     

    Sustainable investing in action

    Explore key topics and themes in sustainable investing6

    People

    People

    Companies leading on the People topic seek to retain, develop and promote well-being among their employees, encourage diversity and protect human rights throughout their operations.

    Aligned SDGs:

    Climate change

    Climate change

    Companies leading on the Climate change topic manage their carbon footprint and energy use effectively.

    Aligned SDGs:

    Pollution & waste

    Pollution & Waste

    Companies leading on the Pollution and waste topic have good environment management policies and systems; reduce packaging, recycle materials, manage hazardous waste, and limit toxic emissions.

    Aligned SDGs:

    Water

    Water

    Companies leading on the Water topic manage their water consumption efficiently and transparently.

    Aligned SDGs:

    Products & services

    Products & services

    Companies leading on the Products and services topic have sourced raw materials responsibly with strong social and environmental supplier standards and policies to promote safe and sustainable products.

    Aligned SDGs:

    Governance

    Governance

    Companies leading on the Governance topic are fair and transparent on issues such as executive pay, board independence, tax and anti-corruption.

    Aligned SDGs:

    Get in touch

    Together we can help you pursue your goals.

    Let's talk

    1 UBS “Sustainable finance—Ten trends for 2021,” 2021.

    2 UBS GWM CIO “Sustainable investing: ESG and beyond,” 17 December 2021.

    3 This will be considered in the context of what is in the client's best interest, taking into account individual circumstances, goals, needs, interests and investment objectives.

    4  “Sustainable Investing Strategic Asset Allocations”, UBS GWM CIO, February 2023. Please always read in conjunction with the glossary at https://www.ubs.com/microsites/wma/insights/en/glossary-of-terms.html.

    5 UBS Investor Watch “The new valuables,” June 2021. For this edition of UBS Investor Watch, we surveyed 3,800 investors with at least $1 million in investable assets. The global sample was split across 15 markets: Argentina, Brazil, mainland China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, Spain, the UAE, the UK and the US. The research was conducted in May 2021. Findings were compared to a study conducted in May of 2020 among more than 3,750 investors with similar asset levels and age groups.

    6 UBS GWM CIO “CIO sustainability scores for issuers,” 1 February 2021.

     

    Sustainable investing strategies aim to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into investment process and portfolio construction. Strategies across geographies and styles approach ESG analysis and incorporate the findings in a variety of ways. The returns on portfolios consisting primarily of sustainable investments may be lower or higher than portfolios where ESG factors, exclusions, or other sustainability issues are not considered, and the investment opportunities available to such portfolios may also differ.