ESG Investing Solutions | ESG Advisory

Our ESG Investment Framework helps you to factor sustainability preferences into your investment decision-making. We screen investment products using a combination of quantitative criteria and qualitative due diligence methodologies, using third-party data and ratings as well as our in-house expertise.

Integrating ESG into the investment process

 

ESG is more than a filter applied at the end of the investment process. Investments can be screened based on the strength of different factors relative to their industry peers. This enables us to work with you to identify opportunities that can have a positive impact on ESG issues while supporting your overall investment strategy.

ESG investing: our key approaches

 

The following types of investing represent the main ways in which we integrate ESG factors into investment decisions. You can find more information about that in our ESG Investments Framework. We work continuously to develop and enhance our ESG capabilities in line with regulatory and market requirements, so please get in touch for the latest information on how we can help you to achieve your individual goals.

 

  • Exclusionary screening: excluding investments in companies that violate global standards such as the UN Global Compact, or that exceed certain thresholds in sectors such as tobacco. More information about Deutsche Bank’s ESG Minimum Criteria can be found in our ESG Investments Framework. 
  • Positive Screening: identifying investments that achieve superior ESG ratings to alternatives in their peer groups.
  • Thematic: investments focusing on environmental and/or social themes. Examples: energy transition, water.

 

Equities

Investors can access single-line equities, equity funds or managed accounts that have been constructed to focus on ESG factors and screen companies based on certain ethical norms or other criteria. 

Fixed Income

Fixed income is an asset class that is increasingly used in ESG investing. Investors have growing access to products such as green bonds which finance environmental projects. Investors can access instruments from issuers, fixed-income funds or managed accounts that have been constructed to focus on ESG factors.

Funds

A growing number of mutual funds, including Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) – the most liquid and tradable type – are specialising in ESG investments. These funds enable investors to apply ESG factors using exclusion strategies, such as by avoiding fossil fuel industries, or investing in more tailored products, such as funds investing in particular sectors (e.g. clean energy) or ETFs with specific criteria.

Alternatives

Alternatives*, including private market debt and equity investments and real estate, have seen momentum in ESG investing. Investors can access early-stage socially and environmentally driven enterprises as well as direct investments or funds that invest in companies or projects with a thematic or impact-driven focus. 

 

*Alternative investments are not suitable for all investors, may involve a high degree of risk and may only be appropriate for sophisticated investors who are capable of understanding and assuming the risks involved.

 

In Europe, Middle East and Africa as well as in Asia Pacific this material is considered marketing material, but this is not the case in the U.S. The value of an investment can fall as well as rise and you might not get back the amount originally invested at any point in time. Your capital may be at risk.

No assurance can be given that any forecast or target can be achieved. Forecasts are based on assumptions, estimates, opinions and hypothetical models which may prove to be incorrect. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Performance refers to a nominal value based on price gains/losses and does not take into account inflation. Inflation will have a negative impact on the purchasing power of this nominal monetary value. Depending on the current level of inflation, this may lead to a real loss in value, even if the nominal performance of the investment is positive.

This web page is not an offer to buy a security or enter into any transaction. The products, services, information and/or materials contained within these web pages may not be available for residents of certain jurisdictions. Please consider the sales restrictions relating to the products or services in question for further information. Deutsche Bank does not give tax or legal advice; prospective investors should seek advice from their own tax advisers and/or lawyers before entering into any investment.

ESG is an acronym that stands for Environment, Social, Governance. Our ESG framework takes into account applicable regulations and is assessed and updated continually, plus guiding principles developed in-house based on Deutsche Bank’s values and beliefs.

There is currently a lack of uniform criteria and a common market standard for the assessment and classification of financial services and financial products as sustainable. This can lead to different providers assessing the sustainability of financial services and financial products differently.

In addition, there are various new regulations on ESG and Sustainable Finance, which need to be substantiated, and further draft regulations are currently being developed, which may lead to financial services and financial products currently labelled as sustainable not meeting future legal requirements for qualification as sustainable.

We utilize data as well as ESG assessment methodologies that are supplied by independent third-party provider(s). These third-party assessment methodologies and corresponding ratings are therefore subject to change, which may result in turnover in investments within a portfolio to remain in line with an agreed ESG baseline.

ESG ratings are not currently regulated. Therefore, it is important to note that there is a selection of such data providers in the market, and methodologies between these can vary leading to different ratings for the same instruments.

ESG principles may result in a less diversified, more concentrated portfolio. ESG investing may result in the exclusion of specific industries.