Of the various asset classes, Varma’s direct equity investments and equity and real estate funds also earned the highest score.
Varma signed the UN’s Principles for Responsible Investment in 2011. The principles concern taking environmental, social and corporate governance factors into account in investment operations. Varma is committed to promoting sustainability in its investment operations in line with the PRI, which means incorporating ESG matters in investment processes and actively developing the ownership policy, among other things.
In an assessment announced last year in Paris, the PRI also gave Varma the distinction of being the only Finnish pension insurance company to be included in the PRI Leaders’ Group.
Varma’s Director of Responsible Investment, Hanna Kaskela, says that strategy and principles form the foundation of responsible investment.
“However, it is still important to go beyond grand speeches and ensure compliance with the agreed principles throughout the investment process. In day-to-day operations, that means data development and continuous analysis of the risk/return profile, among other things. We report on all these annually,” says Kaskela.