DWS Concept ESG Blue Economy: equity fund focuses on ocean protection

With the DWS Concept ESG Blue Economy, DWS is expanding its thematic ESG product range with a new globally investing equity fund. The aim of the fund, managed by Paul Buchwitz, is to support the "Blue Economy" and to have a positive impact on the sustainable actions of companies. The focus is therefore primarily on shares of companies related to coastal and marine ecosystems.

The following figures make clear how much potential there is in the blue economy: "The blue economy is expected to grow twice as fast as the established economy by 2030," says Paul Buchwitz with a view to the Oceans Day on 8 June 2021. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) puts the global value of ocean-related assets at around 24 trillion dollars. And the annual "gross ocean product" of the oceans, at 2.5 trillion dollars, is so large that it would rank the Blue Economy eighth among the world's largest economies. Due to the enormous importance of the oceans, not only as an economic resource, but also for the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), together with the WWF, has defined criteria for five ocean-related sectors, which the DWS Concept ESG Blue Economy has integrated into the investment process.

Engagement process in cooperation with WWF

In the context of the fund, DWS relies on a partnership with WWF, the world's largest independent conservation organisation. "We are looking forward to working closely together to set concrete and measurable sustainability targets for companies and to document, review and evaluate them on a regular basis," says the portfolio manager.

Parisa Shahyari, an economist at WWF adds, "By redirecting capital flows into sustainable business models, the financial industry has tremendous leverage which can be used to protect the planet. By applying the marine conservation criteria to companies, we can work with DWS to push the transition of marine-related industries. The fact that DWS, as an investor, can use its voting rights or draw attention to the urgency of transitioning from unsustainable business models in discussions with decision-makers is particularly relevant."

With the WWF partnership, DWS is expanding its previous commitment to marine conservation. Among other things, it has been supporting the Healthy Seas organisation since 2019 to rid the world's oceans of ghost nets (https://www.dws.com/ghostnets/).

More information about the "The Blue Economy" can be found here.

For further information please contact:

Sabina Diaz Duque
Tel. +49 (0)69 / 910 14177
sabina.diaz-duque@dws.com

Kathrin Mahr
Tel. +49 (0)69 / 910 13388
kathrin.mahr@dws.com

About DWS Group

DWS Group (DWS) is one of the world's leading asset managers with EUR 820bn of assets under management (as of 31 March 2021). Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major asset classes and solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground-knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, which guides our investment approach strategically.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing: with approximately 3,500 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are investors – entrusted to build the best foundation for our clients’ future.