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28 Apr 2020 – Articles

Active ownership: Energy and climate issues top the agenda

Energy, climate and transition to a low-carbon future topped the agenda in 2019 when Danske Bank investment teams engaged with companies on business-critical matters. A new publication Active Ownership Stories zooms in on some of the actual dialogues.

‘What is your climate strategy, and how can you enable business growth by embracing the transition to a low carbon future?’ run some of the most frequent questions, when Danske Bank’s portfolio managers engage with companies they are investing in according to a new publication Active Ownership stories that takes a deep dive on some of the actual dialogues.

Promote company transition
Through active dialogue, portfolio managers highlight concerns and business-critical matters to support companies’ efforts to address current and future challenges and opportunities.

“There is a movement among professional investors, shareholders and customers putting spotlight on climate issues. As part of that movement, I can help promote the discussions on the low-carbon transition from an investor perspective and influence companies to utilise the climate agenda as an accelerator for creating long-term sustainable growth”, says Anders Grønning, portfolio manager at Danske Bank. 

Companies that fully integrate sustainability into their businesses can to a greater extent use it as a business enabler and be better positioned than competitors to create growth and development

Joel Backesten

Portfolio Manager, Danske Bank



Better positioned for growth
In addition to direct dialogue with company management, active ownership includes voting at general meetings. And the focus on climate issues and energy has a clear commercial component. 


Most discussed ESG topics

“Companies that fully integrate sustainability into their businesses can to a greater extent use it as a business enabler and be better positioned than competitors to create growth and development.

Smaller companies typically have a more focused business model and are more agile than larger companies, which enables them to adjust products and services faster or launch new ones that live up to the rising sustainability requirements from governments as well as the growing demand from consumers for green”, says Joel Backesten, portfolio manager at Danske Bank. 

ESG Inside

Danske Bank’s sustainable investment strategy is called ‘ESG Inside’ and is all about bringing sustainability inside our investments. We integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into our investment processes across strategies and asset classes. We engage with companies on material matters to contribute to change and improvement.  ‘ESG Inside’ products also adheres to our overall investment restrictions for controversial weapons, tar sands, thermal coal, and tobacco.