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PUBLICA is publishing its second responsible investment report. Two risks were prioritised in 2023: failure to adapt to climate change, and biodiversity. PUBLICA also focused on four of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

PUBLICA invests in directly held real estate in German- and French-speaking Switzerland. The Cèdres development in Chavannes-près-Renens on the outskirts of Lausanne is a particularly attractive location, combining energy efficiency with proximity to the city, good public transport links and ample green spaces for recreation.

PUBLICA is now adding equities to its private infrastructure investments. Joël Hübscher, an investment analyst in the Private Markets team, explains the particular features of this asset class, the megatrends, and the role played by responsible investment criteria.

The construction sector is responsible for 40% of global CO2 emissions. Sika, a major construction chemicals manufacturer and supplier, was open to dialogue and, as a result, has consolidated its CO2 measurement and drawn up a comprehensive reduction plan.

The financial markets have been highly volatile since the start of 2022, and the escalation of the Middle East conflict in October 2023 has further exacerbated the geopolitical situation. The global economic uncertainty is also leaving its mark on our investment portfolio. In this interview, Stefan Beiner, Head of Asset Management at PUBLICA, explains how the individual asset classes are faring, what the key drivers of investment performance are, whether PUBLICA will be adjusting its strategic asset allocation, and what we are doing to deal with the strong franc.

We are often asked about the interest rate situation at PUBLICA. At the end of each year, the pension plans’ parity commissions set the interest rates on retirement benefits for the current year, and on vested termination benefits for the year ahead. Any comparison of PUBLICA’s interest rates with those of other pension providers requires a holistic view of the pension relationship.

PUBLICA is publishing its first comprehensive report on responsible investment, covering the year 2022. Our approaches have led to progress in most asset classes.

Dams often have a serious impact on nature and the human beings who live in the surrounding area or depend on the dammed river. PUBLICA holds shares in an Austrian company supplying materials for dam projects that are regarded as especially controversial. Dialogue with the company yielded results.

At PUBLICA, we ensure that the pension assets entrusted to us are invested responsibly. That involves making our influence as an investor felt. In 2022, we achieved some initial successes on cocoa plantations: monitoring for child labour and taking remedial action; securing access to schooling; and ensuring people receive a living income.

PUBLICA seeks dialogue with companies that violate Swiss laws and international conventions. If it is unsuccessful, they are excluded – which is what happened with OFILM.

Mindestens einmal pro Jahr kommt er von PUBLICA: Der Vorsorgeausweis. Entweder per Post oder direkt ins Versichertenportal «myPublica». Wir wetten: Nachdem Sie diesen Beitrag gelesen haben, ­werden Sie Ihren Vorsorgeausweis nicht mehr einfach beiseitelegen. Falls noch etwas unklar ist – Ihre Ansprechperson hilft Ihnen gerne weiter.

PUBLICA legt die Vorsorgegelder ihrer versicherten Personen verantwortungsbewusst und ertragsbringend an. Im Jahr 2022 hat sie die Anlagestrategie überarbeitet. Was sich ändert und ab wann Änderungen spürbar sein werden, erklärt Stefan Beiner, Leiter Asset Management.

Es ist ein Entscheid, der sorgfältig abgewogen werden sollte. Sicherlich ist der Entscheid für einen Rentenbezug krisensicherer. Denn eine Rente gilt auf Lebzeiten und kann nicht gekürzt werden. Aber auch die Bezugsform in Kapital hat ihren Reiz. Denn tiefe Umwandlungssätze machen eine Kapitalauszahlung attraktiv.

Beim verantwortungsbewussten Investieren denken viele zuerst ans Klima. Ein wichtiger Aspekt sind zum Beispiel auch die Menschenrechte. Wo Menschenrechtsverletzungen überhaupt auftreten können, wie PUBLICA sie vermeidet und was man als Einzelperson bewirken kann, erläutert Manuela Guillebeau, Nachhaltigkeitsspezialistin bei PUBLICA.

Offering regular income and relatively stable values, real estate is an important asset class. As ever, the goal is to combine the smallest possible environmental footprint with the greatest added value for society. The «En Grandchamp» complex in St-Légier Légier is a prime example of that approach in action.