ETHOS' GOVERNANCE

Ethos, Swiss Foundation for Sustainable Development, is composed of 252 Swiss pension funds and public utility foundations. Ethos was founded in 1997 and aims at promoting socially responsible investment (SRI) as well as a stable and prosperous socio-economic environment that safeguards the interests of civil society today and in the future. The Ethos Foundation is a foundation under Swiss law. The highest governing body of the Ethos Foundation is the foundation board. The members’ general meeting issues recommendations to the foundation board, in particular regarding the charter and the articles of association.

To achieve its objectives, Ethos created the company Ethos Services. This company is specialised in the field of socially responsible investment (SRI) and mainly focuses on institutional investors. Ethos Services is owned by the Ethos Foundation and 16 of its members. The general meeting elects the board of directors. The board of directors appoints the members of the executive board. Ethos Services employs over 30 persons and has offices in Geneva and Zurich.

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Ethos’ philosophy

Independence. Both the Ethos Foundation and the company Ethos Services are exclusively financed by investors.

Professionalism. Ethos has more than 25 years of experience in socially responsible investment and active shareownership and can count on a team of well-qualified and experienced analysts. Dialogue with issuers is conducted throughout the year and provides an in-depth knowledge of Swiss companies.

Transparency. The annual report and accounts of the Ethos Foundation and Ethos Services are publicly available. Ethos also publishes its voting guidelines and voting recommendations (48 hours prior to the shareholder meetings) on its website. 

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Support

Network and recognition

  • Principles for Responsible Investment PRI
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    The "Principles for Responsible Investment PRI" have been elaborated by an international group of institutional investors in order to meet increasing concerns of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues for investment decision-making.

    This process was initiated by the ex-Secretary General of the United Nations Organisation, Kofi Annan. Ethos’ support for these principles is a matter of course insofar as its Charter of 1997 has already largely integrated the principles formulated in 2006. In fact, the Charter stipulates that the Foundation shall integrate environmental and social factors into its investment policy in order to promote sustainable development. Ethos signed the PRI in 2006.

  • B Corp Certification
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    Ethos Services received B Corp certification. The label, awarded by the non-profit organization B Lab, attests to the positive social and environmental impact of Ethos on society. It is based on a detailed assessment of the company in five areas: governance, employee policies, customer and community relations, and respect for the environment.

  • United Nations Global Compact
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    Ethos is a signatory of the UN Global Compact.

    Signatories commit to implement the ten principles of the Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

  • Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change
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    Ethos is a member of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC). The IIGCC is the European membership body for investor collaboration on climate change and the voice of investors taking action for a prosperous, low carbon future. IIGCC’s mission is to support and enable the investment community in driving significant and real progress by 2030 towards a net zero and resilient future.

  • ASIP Charter
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    Ethos is a signatory of the Charter of the Swiss Association of Pension Funds (ASIP).

  • ICGN Global Stewardship Principles
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    Ethos endorses the ICGN Global Stewardship Principles. These Principles set out ICGN's view of best practices in relation to investor stewardship obligations, policies and processes.

  • Guidelines for institutional investors
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    Ethos adheres to the “Guidelines for institutional investors governing the exercising of participation rights in public limited companies”.

    These Guidelines describe best practices relating to the exercising of participation rights. These Guidelines describe best practices relating to the exercising of participation rights. The Guidelines were presented on January 21, 2013 in Zurich by representatives of the Swiss businesses, institutional investors and proxy advisors. Ethos participated in the drafting of these principles.