The FTSE4Good Index series was launched in 2001 with the intention to help investors integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into their investment decisions. The index identifies companies that better manage ESG risks and is used as a basis for tracker funds, structured products and as a performance benchmark. The ESG ratings are furthermore used by investors who wish to incorporate ESG factors into their investment decision-taking process, or as a framework for corporate engagement and stewardship.

16 years after its launch, the FTSE4Good Index universe comprises a total of 672 indices, grouped into 128 index families – spanning from ‘Global Equity’ to ‘Frontier Markets’. Julius Baer has been included in the FTSE4Good Global Index as part of the latest semi-annual review. The index covers over 800 companies from all sectors. The FTSE4Good Index series is run by FTSE Russell, a global index provider, which has approximately USD 10 trillion currently benchmarked to its indices.

“The inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index series reflects the importance of corporate sustainability in our overall strategy,” says Thomas Meier, Head Corporate Sustainability at Julius Baer. In the last few years, the Bank has placed a special emphasis on ESG-compatible investments.

In order to create transparency for its stakeholders on the various sustainability-relevant activities of the Group, Julius Baer issued its first Corporate Sustainability Report in March 2016 (download link on the right). The next report will be released in March this year.