Sustainability as an Asset Owner and Manager
In its role as an asset owner and manager, Swiss Life consistently integrates ESG factors into its investment activities. Around 90% of all assets managed by Swiss Life take the “Responsible Investment” approach into account. Among other things, this gives due consideration to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). In addition, Swiss Life has a growing range of sustainable products and, as a leading real estate investor, pursues a net zero target for its real estate investment portfolio.
Swiss Life is an asset manager for its own insurance companies as well as for third-party clients such as pension funds, other insurance companies and private investors. As a responsible investor, Swiss Life can make a relevant contribution to the positive development of society and the environment. It does this by reducing risks to society and the environment, exploiting corresponding opportunities, and offering its customers appropriate investment products and solutions. The long-term protection of customer funds and the optimal allocation of risk capital are the main objectives. Invested assets must be secure, profitable, and liquid overall. Due to the long-term nature of its liabilities, Swiss Life invests predominantly in fixed-income securities such as government and corporate bonds as well as in real estate, equities and infrastructure. Its investment decisions have always been informed by a long-term assessment of risks and returns.
To further strengthen its commitment to responsible investing, Swiss Life has formalised its approach to integrating ESG criteria into investment and risk management processes. The resulting “Responsible Investment Framework” is aligned to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Swiss Life and all its subsidiaries are fully committed to the PRI and disclose their responsible investment activities accordingly. This was recognised in the latest PRI assessment, which awarded a score of 82% and four stars to the “Investment & Stewardship Policy” module. The entire PRI Assessment Report is available.
For the prevention of “greenwashing”, Swiss Life relies on clear and transparent communication with its stakeholders to address sustainability aspects . In the case of products in particular, it ensures that adequate control mechanisms exist and that definitions are based, where appropriate, on established industry standards. These control mechanisms include, for example, monthly reports depicting the key sustainability aspects of a portfolio and serving as a basis for discussion in certain committees (e.g. the Risk Committee).
As a major investor, Swiss Life is committed to ensuring that direct investments in its portfolio are in line Swiss Life’s fundamental standards and values. As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Swiss Life is committed among other things to the fundamental principles for upholding human rights and protecting the environment. Moreover, Swiss Life Asset Managers has been a member of the “Net Zero Asset Managers initiative” since 2022.
