Our goal is to generate long-term returns for our customers. This requires that we invest in a sustainable and responsible manner. We are convinced that companies that act in a sustainable manner are more profitable in the long run. That is why environmental, social and governance factors are key in our investment process. To contribute to sustainable development, we also work with focus areas and have adopted several voluntary frameworks, such as the UN Global Compact and the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).
- Sustainability /
- Responsible investment
Responsible investments
At Handelsbanken we believe that sustainable business is made through responsible investments.
How we work
Inclusion
We integrate sustainability into our investment process by choosing the right company, the right index or the right mutual fund. It depends on the type of asset management.
Exclusion
We exclude companies whose operations are incompatible with our policies or sustainability criteria. We also exclude companies with weak sustainability work, and where we see no possibility to influence this work.
Engagement
Through dialogue, we influence companies to comply with international norms and conventions. We also adopt a proactive approach to influence companies to improve their work in the field of sustainability, in general or on specific issues.
Sustainability in our investments
Asset management
As investors, we see opportunities with sustainability and in the 2030 Agenda. Our investment strategies practice exclusion of controversial sectors, but can also work with thematic investments, for example renewable energy, financial inclusion and climate solutions. A majority of our mutual funds have specific sustainability criteria. These funds go further to exclude controversial industries in their investment strategies, for example alcohol, tobacco and gambling. The range includes index funds, actively managed funds, fixed income funds and allocation funds with special investment focus.
Pension solutions
Through our subsidiary, Handelsbanken Liv, we offer pension and other insurance solutions. All mutual funds offered to unit-linked insurance customers are examined to determine how they deal with financial, social and environmental sustainability in their management process. Besides financial criteria demands are made on systematic sustainability work with due consideration of international norms and conventions.
Operations through the Bank
Our Nordic mutual fund operations is conducted by Handelsbanken Fonder. We also conduct asset management activities in the UK through Heartwood Investment Management and in the Netherlands through Optimix.
News about responsible investments
NIB's Covid-19 Response Bond
Handelsbanken Fonder has invested SEK 220 million in a bond issued by Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), aimed at supporting business, society and healthcare and to ease the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.
Climate Reports
We want to contribute to a sustainable economy by being transparent when reporting climate risks and possibilties. For the second year Handelsbanken Liv and Handelsbanken asset management has published climate reports in accordance with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
Handelsbanken Liv – Climate Report 2019 (in Swedish) (pdf)
Follow our work
Reports
Handelsbanken Fonder sustainability and corporate governance report 2019 (pdf 7.4 MB)
Handelsbanken Asset Management climate report (pdf)
Handelsbanken Liv – Climate Report 2019 (in Swedish) (pdf)
Excluded companies (pdf)
Carbon footprint in our funds (pdf)
Handelsbanken Fonder voting summary 2019 (pdf 1.1 MB)
Xact Kapitalförvaltning voting summary 2018 (pdf)
Inclusion of companies in transition (pdf)
