EIF signs up to United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment

The European Investment Fund has joined the list of signatories of the UN-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). PRI is recognised as the leading global network for investors committed to integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into their investment practices.

As a PRI signatory, the EIF will further enhance its ESG investment practices and processes. This cooperation is in line with EIF’s strong commitment to support the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Bank new level of ambition.

Fiona Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer of PRI, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the European Investment Fund on board as a signatory”. “EIF’s role in supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in Europe is an important one, and we applaud their commitment to a more sustainable global financial system. We look forward to working together in future.”

EIF Chief Executive, Alain Godard said: “Signing the Principles for Responsible Investment demonstrates EIF’s aim to contribute to a more sustainable global financial system. Investing responsibly is the right choice, and we have therefore mainstreamed this approach to our investment processes. Our commitment to the PRI underlines the importance of generating value whilst making positive contributions to the environment and society.”

The UN-supported PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works: i) to understand the investment implications of ESG factors; ii) to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

Since 2006, more than 3,000 investors have signed up to the PRI, from over 50 countries representing over US $103 trillion in assets under management.

Background information:

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe's micro, small and medium-sized businesses by helping them to access finance. EIF designs and develops both venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth and employment.

The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. Supported by the United Nations, it works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. The PRI acts in the long-term interests of its signatories, of the financial markets and economies in which they operate and ultimately of the environment and society as a whole. Launched in New York in 2006, the PRI has grown to more than 3,000 signatories, managing over $103 trillion AUM.  

Press contacts:

European Investment Bank Group:

David Yormesor, d.yormesor@eib.org, tel.: +352 43 79 81346 / Mobile:  +352 621 554 578

Website: www.eib.org/press - Press Office: +352 4379 21000 – press@eib.org

PRI:
Rojin Kiadeh, rojin.kiadeh@unpri.org