ESG Policy
Sustainability and ESG Mission
AQUIS Capital AG and its affiliated companies are committed to creating a positive, long-term impact for its stakeholders. As an active and responsible asset management firm, AQUIS’ mission is to provide innovative and sustainable investment solutions for its clients. For AQUIS it is paramount to achieve the best possible alignment with sustainable growth and development in order to fulfill its mission.
Our vision is to play an active role as a responsible investor in order to create a positive impact. We engage with stakeholders, investee companies and funds in order to drive and bring forward the topic of sustainable and responsible investment.
As much as we believe in the value of ESG as investor, we hold ourselves accountable to ambitious standards in our daily interactions with stakeholders. Dedication, transparency and accountability are cornerstone values of our philosophy.
Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations are an important aspect of our firm’s culture and are a crucial driver of sustainable growth and superior investment returns.
To reflect our commitment and engagement on both corporate and product level, we have developed a holistic sustainability strategy that takes both pillars into consideration. The strategy builds on a materiality analysis in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Targets as framework objectives. The materiality assessment reveals that the most effective contribution to sustainable growth can be achieved through providing responsible and sustainable investment solutions. Several of AQUIS products integrate actively ESG in investment decisions. AQUIS’ goal is to continuously raise the bar in terms of sustainability to achieve a leading position in the respective ESG focused product strategy. AQUIS not only expects investee companies and funds to embrace sustainability, but it is also committed to uphold the standards on the firm level.
At AQUIS, the CEO is directly overseeing the sustainability strategy, goal attainment and further developments.
Corporate Responsibility
Code of Conduct
AQUIS is committed to high ethical standards in all business dealings. In every contact with stakeholders, we act with integrity, due skill and care.
We put clients interest before our own and in particular before personal interest. We never let personal interests influence our work and dealings with clients. AQUIS employees and directors don’t offer or accept improper gifts or payments from clients and partners.
We always make sure that our products are suitable and adequate for our clients.
We keep information secure and safe and protect client’s privacy rights. We are determined to handle all data appropriately and with due care.
AQUIS follows a zero-tolerance policy with regards to corruption, bribery and money laundering.
We have internal control systems in place to detect and report any form of misconduct.
Organization and Resources
Responsible management means to considering Economic, Social and Environmental criteria in all decisions. The CEO is responsible for implementing, representing, developing and managing the sustainability efforts at AQUIS. The CEO ensures that adequate rules, guidelines and control functions are in place to meet all regulatory standards. The CEO also makes sure that enough resources are dedicated on product and corporate level.
The CEO does not receive variable ESG-linked compensation awards, however, to remuneration for the management of the sustainability strategy is included in the fixed remuneration package.
Working Environment / Health & Safety
Motivated and competent employees are essential to client satisfaction and thus the long-term success of AQUIS. We aim to create an environment where talented individuals with diverse backgrounds can thrive and carry forward our mission.
AQUIS is committed to ensuring a healthy and safe working environment and a corporate culture that is supported by all employees. We respect the opinions of others and the dignity, the privacy and personal rights of each individual.
AQUIS offers ergonomic work places and flexible work models to support employees in creating a sustainable work life balance.
Diversity and equal opportunity
At AQUIS we celebrate diversity and we are proud to have a diverse team of individuals with different backgrounds, ethnicities and genders.
AQUIS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to the principle of equal treatment, equal opportunities and equal pay.
We do not tolerate discrimination and harassment of any kind. We expressly prohibit any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, beliefs, nationality, ethnic origin and gender.
Human Rights
We are committed to upholding human rights. In this regard, we consider in particular the principles stipulated in the UN Global Compact and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in all of our endeavours.
Stakeholder Engagement
AQUIS works together with clients, partners and investee companies from all over the world. AQUIS seeks the dialogue with all stakeholders on ESG and sustainability related matters.
This engagement aligns well with the UN Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) which we pledge to uphold as a signatory. AQUIS integrates ESG, is an active owner and seek appropriate disclosures from investee companies.
Climate Change is a global challenge and everyone is affected. Managing environmental risks and opportunities is in particularly relevant on the product level. However, at the corporate level, we integrate environmental considerations into business decisions. We also directly recognize the economic benefits of eco-efficiency. The responsible use of materials and the improvement of energy efficiency play an essential role in our operational processes.
When procuring office materials and goods, AQUIS considers eco-friendly local products.
Sustainable Product Offering
The most material impact we can create is through our products. We believe that it is essential to achieve the best possible alignment with sustainable economic growth to achieve our economic targets and exceed our clients’ expectations.
To achieve our mission, AQUIS actively manages sustainability risks and opportunities and integrates ESG factors in investment decisions. AQUIS manages funds of different asset classes and profiles and thus each investment product has its own approach regarding ESG risk management. AQUIS engagement in various asset classes enables the firm to address sustainability challenges in different ways.
Currently two investment strategies follow a particular commitment regarding sustainability: the Lumen Vietnam Fund and the IMPACTIS Fund of Hedge Funds. AQUIS monitors key ESG metrics for both funds on an ongoing basis. AQUIS puts great efforts into collecting as much relevant ESG information as possible, also in collaboration with third parties, to guarantee the best possible monitoring and management. Regarding SFDR Art 4 AQUIS is opting for the solution “Explain”, as certain pre-defined, principal adverse impact indicators are not easily available on the corporate level.
Lumen Vietnam Fund
The Lumen Vietnam Fund, a UCITS-compliant fund focusing on the Vietnamese equity market, looks back on a long tradition of ESG investing. ESG criteria are integrated throughout the entire investment process.
In the initial phase, a rigid exclusion and controversy screen is applied. Before a company is considered in the investable universe, the potential investee company is screened for its exposure and dependency on products that constitute a high risk and/or burden for society. In a second step, the potential investee company is screened for its potential involvement in controversies and unethical business practices. Severe controversies, and breaches of international norms are often related to Principal Adverse Sustainability Impacts, with significant negative impact on the environment and social aspects including human rights.
Subsequently, selected companies will undergo an ESG due diligence process. In order to assess the ESG risk and opportunity profile of a company, the sector specialist will consider particular ESG criteria in the investment thesis. The ESG criteria used in the investment analysis are selected and monitored in collaboration with an external ESG consultant.
The management team of the LVF regularly engages on material ESG topics and ESG disclosures with selected investee companies.
