Benchmark and analytics provider S&P Global has acquired the environmental, social and governance (ESG) business from sustainable investing specialist RobecoSAM.
The acquired ESG business is comprised of two units, administering the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (SAM CSA) for the purpose of issuing ESG ratings as well as the provision of reporting to companies on their performances relative to their peers.
S&P Global’s acquisition is its bid to better its position in offering ESG insights and product solutions for its customers. Robeco will continue to have access to the CSA data for use in investment strategies and will provide advice on the methodology.
The index provider is pushing its sustainable solutions having previously launched an ESG-screened version of its most famous index, the S&P 500. UBS shortly after launched its ETF tracking the benchmark.
The transaction is subjected to customary closing conditions which is expected to close in Q1 2020.
S&P Global: International ESG framework needed to increase demand
Douglas Peterson, S&P Global president and CEO, commented: “Through this acquisition, S&P Global is bringing an additional layer of critical insight to our leading suite of ESG product offerings, which will further enable our customers to create resilient strategies, build a sustainable future, and meet the expectations of an evolving market.”
Karin van Baardwijk, vice chair of the board of directors at RobecoSAM, added: "This transaction will allow us to focus on the successful integration and application of the CSA data that is used in many of our investment processes.
“We have carefully crafted our expertise in this area for over 20 years and been recognised for our excellence through numerous awards and the trust which clients put in us to help them invest sustainably.”
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