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ESG Thematic Research

Providing academic insights and market knowledge

Our dedicated ESG Thematic Research team analyses relevant ESG topics and publishes reports on the issues and megatrends impacting investment decisions, such as climate change, renewable energy, water sustainability, corporate governance and social and labour practices. The team also partners with leading academics and sustainable finance experts, as well as participating in industry working groups and providing input to policymakers in cooperation with DWS’s investment specialists as it relates to ESG.

A robust ESG thematic research capability is an essential element in increasing the awareness of controversial ESG issues that are relevant for our client base and investment professionals. With in-depth analysis our clients are therefore better placed to make a decision on how they treat certain controversial sectors as well as identify potential investment risks and opportunities. Last but not least, we leverage the knowledge of our sector analysts across equities and fixed income for ESG integration related issues.

Financial markets are having to contend with rapid technological change and the increasing scope and pace of ESG regulation with the consequent implications for investment returns. The following research snapshots provide a flavour of some of the sectors and asset classes we believe hold significant ESG risks and/or opportunities.

" Our task is to support our clients and investment teams to understand and consider major sustainability risks and opportunities in their everyday business.

Michael Lewis Head of Research, ESG

Sustainability focused Charts of the Week

Mar 28, 2025 Chart of the week

Germany’s emissions fall but more is needed

Continued reductions in greenhouse gas emissions make Germany’s 2030 targets look achievable given continuing efforts – amid a still concerning global picture.
Mar 14, 2025 Chart of the week

Securing Europe’s security and growth with less energy waste

Europe's economies wasted billions of euros through the inefficient use of energy
Feb 07, 2025 Chart of the week

Leading indicators of Europe’s direction

Progress on the energy transition and political commitments give cause for cautious optimism on Europe’s transformation.
Sep 27, 2024 ESG

Reaching Net Zero remains possible

Limiting temperature increases to 1.5-2.0 Celsius degrees is not an elusive dream if the growth rates in investments into energy transition of the last five years can be maintained.
Sep 13, 2024 ESG

Chinese electric cars are in the fast lane

The electrification of the global vehicle fleet is progressing – which poses serious challenges for traditional carmakers, not least European ones.
Aug 30, 2024 ESG

China dominates the expansion of solar capacity

Growing supply led to significantly falling prices for solar modules

Our ESG Research

May 06, 2025 ESG

Igniting European transformation

Transformation guided by a northern light
Apr 07, 2025 Demography

How asset managers can support female investment trends

From the margins to the mainstream
Nov 20, 2024 Europe

Europe’s investment appeal

The investment routes to express European Transformation
Oct 29, 2024 Alternatives

Direct Lending Markets in Europe and the US

Many similarities and a few nuances
Oct 21, 2024 ESG

Improving investor understanding when it comes to nature

Whitepaper #3: Standards, frameworks and tools relating to nature
Oct 03, 2024 Sustainability

Stress testing equity markets with higher carbon prices

Comparing the impact on traditional and ESG equity indices
Sep 24, 2024 ESG

The corporate green bond renaissance

Financing climate transition plans
Apr 19, 2024 Europe

Energy efficiency policies & investments

European developments create cross-asset class investment opportunities
Mar 18, 2024 European Transformation

Europe’s transformational scorecard

Tracking European sovereigns in their transformational journeys
Dec 12, 2023 ESG

Investing in carbon: a new asset class

European carbon allowances - “A little goes a long way”
Dec 01, 2023 ESG

Nature-focused regulations start to get serious

Whitepaper #1: Catching-up to climate
Jul 28, 2023 ESG

ESG in Strategic Asset Allocation: The 2023 Update

Our Research Experts

Michael Lewis

Head of Research, ESG

Murray Birt

Senior ESG Strategist

Based in: London

Maria Milina

Research Analyst

Based in: New York

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments: Environmental (how a company performs as a steward of nature); Social (how a company manages relationships with employee, suppliers, customers, and communities); Governance (company’s leadership, executive pay, shareholder rights, etc).

Investing in securities that meet ESG criteria may result in foregoing otherwise attractive opportunities, which may result in underperformance when compared to products that do not consider ESG factors.

087030-4 (04/2026)

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