Sustainability

Major investors turn around! In the financial industry, sustainability is considered one of the most important developments of recent years. This news was recently spread by a German news programme (tagesschau/wirtschaft 2.12.19 6:45). In fact, many investment offers, even renowned ones, try to create the impression in their publicity that everyone has always had sustainability in mind. From a ridiculed niche in the investment business, sustainability has made the leap into the obligatory category. However, the word has become an inflationary term that is used by everyone, but where everyone thinks differently. In order to put an end to the confusion and create certainty of meaning, the European Union has also recently presented its report on a sustainability taxonomy. This is a catalogue of criteria that is intended to provide investors and financiers with information on the sustainability of investments. It can be helpful to recall the original meaning of the word. Sustainability means suitability for the future and future viability. According to the old dictionary of the Brothers Grimm, sustainability means „lasting and effective for a long time“. As an example, the following is given: „sustainable yield of the soil is only achieved if the soil is maintained in good condition“. In this context, sustainability is associated with: appreciating, respecting, acknowledging and turning to something with respect. Such appreciation enables us to shape the future. So when we talk about sustainable investments, we should be talking about financial investments with a promising future, which do not only value financial profits. Rather, sustainable profits result from the appreciation of life and these are based on fair working conditions, environmental promotion and the growth of the global common good.