Corporate climate reporting: Ethos’ position on the new legislation put forward by the Swiss Federal Council

The Ethos Foundation publishes today its position on the consultation on the ordinance on climate reporting by large Swiss companies. While Ethos welcomes the Federal Council's desire to legislate in the field of companies' non-financial and climate reporting, Ethos regrets that the current project does not oblige them to publish all their greenhouse gas emissions - including indirect emissions - nor to have the information verified by an independent third party.

Ethos members and shareholders validate the climate strategy

The annual general meetings of the Ethos Foundation and Ethos Services SA were held this morning in Bern. All the items on the agenda were approved, starting with the climate action plan which should enable Ethos to achieve its goal of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This afternoon, a conference dedicated to the sustainable and inclusive economy will will bring together a panel of experts who and will be broadcast live from 1:45 p.m. on the Ethos Foundation website (in French or German).

Three Ethos investment funds obtain the FNG label

The FNG label is only awarded to funds which meet the quality standards for sustainable investments as defined by the Nachhaltige Geldanlagen Forum and which have been verified by an independent audit of the University of Hamburg. This certification contributes to the recognition of Ethos’ 25 years of expertise in sustainable finance.

Natural capital: a new study estimates the cost of environmental neutrality for the non-financial companies of the Swiss Market Index at CHF 28 billion per year

As states from around the world gather in Glasgow for COP26 to try to find solutions to the climate crisis, the authors of a study published on Tuesday measure for the first time the investments required for the largest industrial companies listed in Switzerland to reduce their net greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to zero and to continue to operate while preserving the planet's water and cropland reserves. Investments which should also allow them to ultimately save CHF 34 billion per year.

Human rights and Environment: Ethos’ position on the new legislation put forward by the Federal Council

Following the rejection of the Responsible Business Initiative in November 2020, the Swiss Federal Council has been working on implementing the indirect counter-project adopted by the Swiss parliament. As the open consultation on a draft ordinance on the duties of diligence and transparency in the fields of minerals and metals from conflict zones and child labor (ODiTr) comes to an end, the Ethos Foundation regrets the lack of ambition of the new bill.

Climate change: substantial risks for Swiss pension funds

Two weeks before a key vote on the revision of the Swiss CO2 Act, the Ethos Foundation publishes a report dedicated to climate risks for pension funds and their policyholders. While there are various means for pension funds to manage these risks, a regulatory framework remains more necessary than ever to supervise and encourage sustainable and responsible investments. For this reason, the Ethos Foundation supports the revised CO2 Act. In addition, a public online conference is being organised on 10 June to discuss these questions.

Ethos strengthens its climate and diversity voting guidelines

Ethos published this Thursday the 20th edition of its voting guidelines and governance principles for the 2021 general meetings. Ethos asks the major emitters of greenhouse gases to publish and submit to shareholders' approval an annual report on their climate strategy and introduces new voting criteria into its guidelines.

Ethos and BCV to pool their expertise in sustainable finance

Ethos Foundation, which specialises in socially responsible investing (SRI), and BCV, Switzerland’s fifth-largest universal bank, have entered into a long-term strategic partnership through which they will offer sustainable investment products. In the first phase, six Ethos funds will be managed by BCV’s Asset Management department.

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