Stockholm (NordSIP) – Institutional investors are no strangers to annual award ceremonies. However, as asset owners get to grips with a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex new set of ESG-related risks, regulations, and opportunities, it is high time for the industry to focus in on recognising best practice within sustainable investing. This year sees the launch of the very first Nordic Sustainable Investment Awards, known as the NordSIAs for short.
Organised and co-ordinated by NordSIP (the Nordic Sustainable Investment Platform), these annual distinctions will reward the efforts of institutional investors that have shown the most significant progress in six different categories. Many highly innovative and forward-thinking asset owners tend to fly under the radar, operating independently according to their own priorities without necessarily advertising their internal efforts to the outside world. Their industry peers may therefore be missing out on valuable examples of best practice, especially when it comes to innovation within sustainable investing. By showcasing these exemplary efforts, NordSIP hopes to help raise overall market standards and accelerate progress towards meeting these crucial sustainability challenges.
Institutional asset owners across the whole Nordic Region are being invited to submit their candidacy for six distinct awards:
1. Most innovative sustainable/impact mandate for large institutions.
2. Most innovative sustainable/impact mandate for small & medium institutions.
3. Best improvement or initiative regarding internal ESG/ impact investment analysis.
4. Most successful corporate engagement.
5. Most meaningful in-house diversity progress.
6. Most effective external sustainability-related communication initiative.
Commenting on the launch of the new awards and call for nominations, NordSIP Editor-in-Chief Aline Reichenberg Gustafsson said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of the NordSIA – the Nordic Sustainable Investment Awards – as a platform to celebrate the outstanding achievements and innovations in sustainable finance across the Nordics. At NordsSIP, we believe in the transformative power of sustainable investing and with these awards we aim to shine the spotlight on the inspiring leaders and pioneering organisations that are driving positive change. The NordSIAs will recognise excellence, inspire collaboration, and encourage the financial industry to continue pushing the boundaries of responsible investment.”
Nordic pension funds, insurers, foundations, fund selection platforms, advisors, and other institutional investors from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Iceland are invited to nominate themselves – or other worthy peers – by completing a brief questionnaire, which is available on the NordSIP website along with further indication of the evaluation criteria. The deadline for applications is 15 December 2024.
NordSIA submissions will then be reviewed by two independent judging panels comprising experienced investment industry professionals, selected with appropriate consideration of potential conflicts of interest. The 2024 NordSIA award cycle will culminate at a presentation ceremony to be held in Stockholm on 30 January 2025. With many sustainability indicators heading the wrong way and a volatile geopolitical environment, NordSIP looks forward to shining a light on the very best that the institutional sustainable investment community has to offer as an optimistic counterpoint.
