Sustainability and Corporate Governance Report 202
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HANDELSBANKEN FONDER – IN-DEPTH REPORT ditions. P
RI has therefore acted as coordinator and has formed a working group that has taken a common position in support of sustainable palm oil. The aim is to raise awareness of these issues among investors. The working group drives dialogue with companies to support the development of more sustainable methods and the purchase of palm oil that is RSPO-certified. RSPO is a member organisation for various stakeholders, including producers, consumers and non-governmental organisations, who promote sustainable palm oil production. During 2020, we actively participated in dialogue together with a group of Nordic investors with a company that purchases palm oil. The company is regularly making important progress on sustainability in light of the risks related to its purchases. The dialogue is continuing, as the investor group wishes to see further improved efforts in some areas that remain. Investor networks We actively participate in investor networks to promote the development of the asset management sector in its sustainability efforts. Participating in networks is also vital to our learning and development. Examples of networks we participate in: CDP CDP is an independent, international non-profit organisation that promotes transparency and dialogue among companies regarding their environmental impact and making this information available to investors. Over 8,400 organisations worldwide measure and report their environmental impact through CDP. CDP acts on behalf of more than 500 institutional investors. In 2020, Handelsbanken Fonder, together with 137 financial players, participated in a call for companies to join the Science-Based Targets initiative and set scientifically based climate targets. The call was targeted to the more than 1,800 companies that together contribute 13.5 gigatons of emissions directly and indirectly linked to their operations. This corresponds to 25 per cent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, according to CDP. Many companies have expressed their support for the Paris Agreement, but there is a need for greater ambitions and clearer objectives. SUSTAINABLE VALUE CREATION Together with some of Sweden’s major investors, Handels banken Fonder has taken part in the Sustainable Value Creation project since 2009. This project aims to highlight the importance to Swedish listed companies of taking a methodical approach to addressing sustainability issues. In order to encourage, support and follow up companies’ sustainability efforts, Sustainable Value Creation arranges seminars and roundtables. During the year, we were involved in the working group within the network that has created the call for listed companies to report on climate measures in line with TCFD recommendations and a follow-up seminar to build knowledge around these recommendations. More than 50 companies participated in the seminar. IIGCC The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change is tasked with mobilising capital for a low-carbon future by strengthening the voice of the investor and working with companies, politicians and investors. Handelsbanken has been a member of IIGCC since December 2018. In 2020, we were involved in developing a new framework for how investors can contribute to positive changes in society in line with the Paris Agreement. The framework was launched in early 2021 and will help harmonise investors’ actions and communications related to the Paris Agreement. IÄF The Swedish Institutional Investors Association (IÄF) is a non-profit association that aims to safeguard the interests of its members as an institutional owner on the Swedish stock market by promoting the development of self-regulation on the stock market. IÄF was established in 2003 and consists of Swedish institutional owners. IÄF is one of the principals of the Association for Generally Accepted Practice in the Securities Market, which operates through the self-regulatory agencies the Swedish Securities Council, Swedish Corporate Governance Board and Swedish Financial Reporting Board. In 2020, the association continued to actively respond to referrals from Swedish and foreign government agencies and trade associations. SISD Swedish Investors for Sustainable Development is a platform for learning and for exchanging knowledge and experiences around the 2030 Agenda. SISD is aimed at Swedish long-term investors and financial sector players. Its goal is to explore the role of long-term investors from different angles and perspectives and to offer ideas and inspiration for the way forward. During the year Handelsbanken was involved in the SDG5 working group on gender equality, where we continue to work on the question of how investors can promote greater equality in the companies they invest in. In 2020, we conducted a survey of SISD members and members of the corresponding global GISD network. The survey focused on how different investors approach gender and identified inspiring examples. 60 Information about risk Past performance does not predict future returns. The value of the money invested in the fund can increase or decrease and there is no guarantee that all of your invested capital can be redeemed. The fund’s prospectus (“Informations broschyr”), fund rules and KIID are available at handelsbanken.se/funds.