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About our Sustainable Investments

The goal of the Church of Sweden’s national level is to be a responsible owner in as a diverse manner as possible. This means that we plan for the long-term and are active owners who make good use of the opportunities presented to influence both the business and financial sectors in an effort to promote sustainability now and in the future.

Sustainable Investments 2024

Since 2011 the Church of Sweden has produced a report on work regarding sustainable investments and work with sustainability within asset management on the national level.

Annual reports about our sustainable investments

The Church of Sweden has published yearly reports on its work with responsible investment since 2011. You can also find our investment policy further down on this page.

Based on the values of human rights and the environment

Our financial policy is based upon two fundamental values: the principle of human dignity and the concept of stewardship as reflected in international environmental and human rights conventions and existing frameworks for responsible business. Based upon these two principles, asset management complements other efforts towards sustainable development within the Church of Sweden, at home and abroad.

Our sustainable perspective on investment has created potential for better return - ours is above index - and this has also gained us recognition as one of the worlds leading sustainable investors. 

We strive after investing in companies that through their actions, goods or services contribute to a sustainable development. We are active owners with the ambition to influence companies in our portfolio to take their responsibility, in case they do not live up to our sustainability standards. This is done as a dialogue with the companies, mainly in cooperation with other investors.   

On this page about ”Our sustainable investments” you can find out about why we work with this, what other actors we are cooperating with and how our investments are beneficial to society.  On the page ”Our working method” you can find out about our finance policy and investment model from allocation of capital via selection of asset managers to screening and follow-up.  

Read the financial policy and the Responsible Investment Instructions for ethical and sustainable Asset Management on this page. 

Our method of working

The segment referred to as ‘responsible’ or ‘sustainable’ investment is expressed in a variety of ways. The objective of the Church of Sweden is to be a responsible owner in the broad sense. Accordingly, we are long-term, active owners and we take advantage of our opportunity to influence business and industry in a sustainable direction, independently and in partnership with other investors.

Our co-operation

The Church of Sweden is a member of many networks, and we are often invited to speak about our work, particularly our climate strategy. We do not invest in coal, oil or gas but focus on the solutions to climate change. The financial industry has a key role to play in the transition to a low carbon society, but still has a long way to go to overcome both internal and political barriers. We want to be part of that change.

Funds with clear societal benefits

The Church of Sweden’s financial policy clearly states that investments shall be made in companies that contribute to a sustainable society. In addition to this, we also stimulate development in the financial sector.

Governance

The work described in this report is governed by the Church of Sweden’s Asset Management Council who have received their mandate from the Central Board of the Church of Sweden in accordance with the provisions of the Church Order.

The finance policy sets the direction

All activities of the Church of Sweden are permeated by long term thinking and sustainable development for humans and the environment.

The policy is based upon two fundamental values: the principle of human dignity and the concept of stewardship as reflected in international environmental and human rights conventions and existing frameworks for responsible business. Based upon these two principles, asset management complements other efforts towards sustainable development within the Church of Sweden, at home and abroad.