Apart from a company specific ESG paragraph, we construct specific ESG sector reports for sector which are most sensitive to these factors, such as Utilities, Climate, Energy and Tobacco. In these sector ESG reports, we explain what subsectors/group of companies are preferred from a risk perspective, which serves as an important input factor for our bottom-up company analysis.
We use negative screening based on UN PRI principals and on specific ESG risks which we have identified on a sector basis for sectors which are most prone to those risks. We use and positive screening in instrument selection (green bonds). Subsequently, we (analyst is in the lead, but portfolio managers are also involved) perform a downside risk analysis which is most important to bondholders. Risks and opportunities with respect to environmental, social and governance issues are explicitly taken into account and fully integrated in our analysis. As it could have impact on credit quality or even threaten the viability of a company's business model. Thematic is used when all companies within a sector are heavily exposed to a certain trend and therefore the risk is more systemic.