Stockholm (NordSIP) – Carina Silberg has been working at the intersection between the financial market and business with sustainability for 15 years, as an ESG-analyst and advisor to investors and as well as an advisor and consultant for companies with a focus on sustainability communication to the financial market. For the past year, she has taken the position of Head of Sustainability at Alecta. “We manage occupational pensions for 2.3 million individuals and 34 000 corporate customers with an investment strategy that, from my perspective, is a great fit between our assignment to provide quality pensions with long-term value creation.”
A delicate and sensible balance
“Sustainable investing is both about minimising risks and seizing opportunities with a wider lens. It is about future-proofing investments. From a fiduciary duty perspective, it is about creating sustainable returns, providing good pensions with a sensible investment model that allows investment in businesses and assets that are aligned with society’s need for sustainable development.”
Seize the potential for personal fulfilment
“The financial industry is innovative in coming up with new financial products or funds that fit specific purposes. If you find what makes you tick – like clean energy or female entrepreneurship, or anything else that contributes to a sustainable future – I think that has a potential to create impact and be rewarding both personally and financially. To me, good advice has been to invest in something that I understand, and that exhibits a credible business model with growth potential, meeting needs and solving challenges that are relevant to people and society. It is pretty simple.”
Building a bridge
“It still amazes me how diverging investment stories some companies communicate depending on if the presentation is given by the CFO or by the sustainability officer. It has been one of my most persistent strides and most exciting challenges for the past ten years to help bridge those versions. I do recognise that even in the investment community, we face the same challenge. It is crucial, yet difficult to understand and truly evaluate the link between ESG indicators and financial returns through growth, return on investment and risk management, but I am hopeful that we are getting there – together!”
