Japanese Bank Launches Biodiversity Investment Fund

Copyright The Sumitomo Trust and Banking Co.

The Sumitomo Trust and Banking Co. (STB) announced on July 16, 2010, that it established an investment trust fund called Biodiversity SRI Fund, nicknamed "Ikimonogatari" (a creative word formed by blending the Japanese words meaning "living thing" and "story"). The fund invests in the equity of Japanese companies that are actively tackling the issue of biodiversity conservation.

The fund has three focal points for screening investable companies: whether they are (1) working to reduce negative impacts on biodiversity, (2) providing technologies or services that help to preserve biodiversity, and (3) working toward long-term goals such as action plans for biodiversity conservation.

It is expected that the companies invested will grow sustainably and increase their corporate value by developing technologies, streamlining operations, and offering new services through initiatives to conserve biodiversity. STB also plans to invest actively in mid-sized companies whose core business is to provide services that help bring about the conservation and restoration of biodiversity.

Posted: 2011/01/17 06:00:15 AM