DE

For more than 430 years, Berenberg has been guided by the aim of acting responsibly in the interests of its stakeholders.

About us

Sustainability

Our Sustainability Approach

As Germany's oldest private bank and an internationally active financial institution, social responsibility has always been a fundamental aspect of our business. For us, responsible corporate management includes forward-looking corporate governance combined with taking on social responsibility. We have launched social initiatives at our German as well as our international branches. Our established Sustainability Board is another important component of our corporate governance structure. Furthermore, in our business divisions we are developing targeted solutions into which we incorporate environmental, social and governance criteria.
 

Sustainability in our Business Divisions

Sustainability has become a central focus in society, including in investments. For many years, it was debated if adhering to ESG guidelines enhances or diminishes financial returns. However, recent years have shown that sustainable investing does not have to come at the expense of performance. We offer our clients the opportuni-ty to combine financial investment goals with the consideration of specific environmental or social criteria. Such investment strategies integrate environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) criteria in the analysis and decision-making processes, alongside traditional macro- and microeconomic factors. Through our banking and advisory services, we address the increasing demand for a future-proof economy, creating long-term value for clients, companies and investors.

ESG approach in Wealth & Asset Management

We offer tailored investment strategies that integrate environmental, social and governance criteria. Our funds and portfolios integrate ESG aspects based on their respective investment strategy and investment principles. In this way, we support our clients in positioning their assets in a future-oriented way and incorporating sustainability aspects according to the chosen investment strategy.

ESG approach

Sustainability in Corporate Banking

In Corporate Banking, we support companies with targeted solutions, particularly in infrastructure and energy. We promote projects that drive the transition to renewable energy and ecofriendly infrastructures. Together, we support the transition to a resource-efficient economy and accompany long-term economic growth. 

Sustainability in Investment Banking

In our Investment Bank, we have an established sustainability team which helps embed sustainability analyses into our core equity research product. We have developed proprietary frameworks to identify and measure companies providing positive environmental, social and economic impact as well as sector based reports looking at key operational sustainability factors. 

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Sustainable Initiatives and Collaborations

We are part of overarching initiatives on sustainable investment, such as the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Additionally, we support initiatives that address specific aspects of sustainable business practices. We also support the German Energy Storage Systems Association e.V. (BVES) and the Renewable Energy Hamburg Cluster (EEHH), both of which advocate for the expansion and promotion of renewable energy sources.

Signatory since 2018

We have signed the United Nations-supported initiative “Principles for Responsible Investment” (PRI). The initiative aims to assist signatories in integrating sustainability considerations into their investment processes.

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Supporter since 2021

We have signed the Investor Statement of the Access to Medicine Foundation. This non-profit organization aims to advance the pharmaceutical industry's commitment in low- and middle-income countries and improve access to medicines in these regions.

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Supporter since 2020

We are supporters of the KnowTheChain initiative and have signed its Investor Statement. KnowTheChain is a partnership between the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, Humanity United, Sustainalytics, and Verité. It provides resources to help understand and address the risks of forced labor in supply chains.

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Member since 2019

Since 2019, we have been a member of the Renewable Energy Hamburg Cluster (EEHH). As the central regional industry network for future energy systems, the network offers ideal opportunities for networking and information exchange for interested stakeholders.

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Member since 2018

The International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) primarily consists of members from the asset management industry and works on defining and promoting effective standards of corporate governance and investor stewardship.

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Member since 2026

We have been an official supporting member of the German Energy Storage Systems Association e.V. (BVES) since 2026. The BVES is committed to establishing energy storage as an integral part of the renewable energy landscape across the power, heat, and mobility sectors.

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Sustainability-Related Publications