Sustainable ETF Investment: How to Be a Responsible Pension Investor in Germany
Is it possible to combine sustainable investing with superior returns for a safe retirement? We show you how to be a sustainable ETF investor in Germany.
Written by
Dr. Chris Mulder
Published on
Apr 13, 2023
Responsible investing is gaining popularity, but does it actually make a difference? And if so, how can you get started? In this article, we will explore the key points of being a responsible pension investor in Germany and provide some guidance to help you make informed decisions.
The key points
Avoiding ETFs that are quite poor from an ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) perspective can make moral and financial sense.
If you want to actively help change, it is best to focus on positive, impact investing through specific companies that are especially innovative.
We don't think it makes much financial sense to do positive investing in specific sectors like the circular economy, as these ETFs tend to have very high fees and you're just supporting the sector in general (like waste recycling) instead of innovative companies in the sector.
Your next steps
Do decide if you would like the more ESG conscious versions of the general indices that Pensionfriend offers. It may actually be good from a return perspective, even though the evidence is not that hard yet.
Identify for yourself if you are ready to do some active positive investing, and in what.
In any case, no guilt here. Having enough pension for you and your family is already a very important goal!
