Stockholm (NordSIP) – EQT, the Swedish asset manager announced its involvement in the Sustainable Development Goals Impact initiative by taking a lead at the Nordic Springboard launch in Oslo in connection with the Business for Peace Summit.
The SDG Impact initiative, led by the UN, aims to clarify, assist and authenticate private sector investors and businesses’ contribution toward achieving the 17 UN SDGs. The initiative is designed as a consistent approach to defining and measuring impact, something that has not existed previously. “In order to achieve the SDGs by 2030 will require USD 5 to 7 trillion in annual investments, but also a fundamental rethinking of global investment activity”, explains EQT.
“Sustainability is, and has always been, a central part of EQT,” commented Christian Sinding, CEO and Managing Partner of EQT. “Through our involvement in this new SDG Impact initiative, EQT will be able to influence the way that SDG-alignment is measured and develop our own impact approach further. For EQT, the initiative is particularly exciting, as we are taking a stronger position on climate change and thematic investing in solutions with positive societal impact.”
EQT Partners is a Swedish fund manager and investment advisory firm established in 1994 by Conni Jonsson together with Investor AB, AEA Investors (a US-based private equity group) and SEB. EQT has three overall Business Segments: Private Capital, including Equity, Mid Market, Ventures, Public Value; Real Assets, such as Infrastructure and Real Estate, and Credit, guided by a responsible ownership approach and an industrial growth strategy. EQT was the first Nordic private equity firm to become a signatory to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Initiative in December 2010, and EQT has continuously focused on promoting sustainability within investing.
This engagement of EQT with the SDGs impact measurement system is the next logical step for EQT’s focus on future-proofing companies and the firm’s long history of responsible ownership, according to the fund manager.
“Having a long-term, responsible and sustainable approach to investment and ownership is EQT’s way of creating a positive impact and generating value for investors, portfolio companies and society at large,” said Therése Lennehag, Head of Sustainability at EQT. “The SDGs are an integral part of the EQT ecosystem, and thematic investing based on a holistic, integrated approach to sustainability is a requirement for EQT to remain successful and be part of the solutions needed for the future.”
The endorsement of the SDG impact initiative is also supported by Summa Equity and LGT Group, the largest family-owned private banking and asset management group in Europe.
Picture from Pixabay
