Robeco celebrates 20th anniversary of Sustainable Water strategy

7 oktober 2021

Robeco proudly celebrates the RobecoSAM Sustainable Water strategy’s 20th anniversary. The strategy, which went live late September 2001, is one of the world’s first sustainable water strategies and has been managed by the same Portfolio Manager – Dieter Küffer – since inception.

In celebration of this milestone, Robeco has published a study: “Boiling Point: global growth, climate change and the increasing pressure for water resources”, an in-depth assessment of the water market. The third of its kind after the 2010 and 2015 editions, the study demonstrates that water stress has worsened over the past 20 years as a result of population growth, increasing water consumption, pollution and climate change.

Projections for the coming decades paint a grim picture. More than half of the world’s population could experience water scarcity at least one month per year by 2050. Droughts and Floods have increased by 50% and 35% respectively over the last decade and show no sign of slowing down. Water degradation as a result of poor wastewater management (80% of all municipal wastewater globally is excreted into the environment untreated and eventually re-enters the water-cycle) among other factors, is adding to water scarcity and is threatening biodiversity.

While the challenges are clearly substantial, so too are the investment opportunities in companies along the entire water value chain for generating financial returns and positive impact. Companies that recognize the need and provide sustainable solutions suitable to the diverse segments of the global water market will be ideally positioned to ride the growing wave of interest and investment.

Robeco’s water study reveals where large-scale investments are needed in both emerging and developed markets in order to improve efficient water use, increase water supplies, ensure water quality, and mitigate scarcity in agriculture, energy and industry as well as within urban municipalities and rural communities. The case for water-themed investments has never been stronger.

For two decades, the RobecoSAM Sustainable Water Strategy has focused on companies that seek solutions to address the challenges of rising water demand. The strategy invests worldwide in companies providing technology, products and services relating to the water value chain, such as water distribution, management, efficient use, treatment, and analysis as well as irrigation systems.

With investors increasingly interested in making investments that benefit the world around them and tackling critical challenges like water deficits, thanks to its strong track record and experienced investment team, the RobecoSAM Sustainable Water strategy continues to be the sustainable water strategy of choice and surpassed EUR 3 billion in AuM for the first time in August 2021.

Source: Robeco