19 February 2025 — Nordea Asset Management (NAM) is proud to report the continued success of its responsible investment strategies, underscoring its ongoing commitment to sustainable investment and portfolio decarbonisation.

In 2024, the firm raised close to €5 billion in new mandates focused on responsible investment, climate and decarbonisation, highlighting the growing confidence from many asset owners in its ability to integrate sustainability into long-term investment strategies.

Examples include:

  • A large German pension plan, VBL, invested over €1 billion into NAM’s ESG-focused European Stars Equity Strategy as part of its responsible investment strategy, which includes a commitment to further reduce its carbon footprint.
 
  • One of the largest public pension plans in the world, California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), selected NAM’s sustainability-focused Global Stars Equity Strategy to manage USD 450 million in global equity investments.

  • Japanese asset manager Nissay Asset Management partnered with NAM on the launch of the Nissay Foreign Equity Climate and Nature Transition Strategy Fund, reporting over €160 million in AUM.
 
  • One of France’s largest public-sector pension schemes awarded NAM a substantial mandate basted on a BetaPlus Enhanced strategy specifically designed to meet the client’s decarbonisation commitments.
 
  • A large European investor selected NAM to manage a significant mandate focused on responsible investment in excess of €1 billion.

“Many institutional clients entrusted NAM with their climate and decarbonisation needs in  2024. This trust clearly demonstrates that many asset owners prioritize these topics. With over 30 years of Responsible Investment leadership, we continue to offer our clients world-class solutions and expertise in the Responsible Investment space. Our commitment to deliver returns with responsibility is stronger than ever.”

Nils Bolmstrand, CEO  of Nordea Asset Management

In addition to securing these mandates, NAM has been recognized by numerous independent entities for its ongoing commitment to ESG, including:

  • PRI, the global gold-standard for responsible investment, presented NAM with its 2024 Recognition for Climate award for the firm’s leadership in spearheading a collaborative engagement of approximately 20 investors targeting methane reductions in 65 energy and utility companies. One judge remarked, “NAM’s thoughtful approach with tiering of engagement targets, clearly defined engagement goals and practical asks of the companies has led to demonstrable outcomes made this one stand out.”. NAM’s methane engagement is ongoing and has been broadly acclaimed. (PRI Awards 2024, Oct 2024)
 
  • The Responsible Investment Brand Index 2024 rated NAM fourth best Asset Manager in the World for commitment to Responsible Investment and communication of actions. (Responsible Investment Brand Index 2024, June 2024)
 
  • MainStreet Partners gave NAM its 2024 ESG Champions award for Best ESG European Equity Fund (Nordea 1 – European Stars Equity Fund). (MainStreet Partners 2024 ESG Champions , January 2024)
 

Furthermore, Nordea Asset Management (NAM) has strengthened its impact commitment by becoming a signatory of the Operating Principles for Investment Management (OPIM), the global standard for integrating impact throughout the investment lifecycle, for its Global Impact Strategy. With this pledge, NAM joins 185 signatories representing more than USD 590 billion in AUM. By adhering to OPIM’s nine rigorous principles, NAM enhances its impact investment process with external validation.