Etica Sgr: ESG Fund Names Already Compliant with ESMA Guidelines

Etica Sgr has confirmed that all funds of the historic Linea Valori Responsabili will keep their names unchanged according to the guidelines of the European Securities and Markets Authority ( ESMA ). With regard to the Linea Futuri Responsabili, the Etica Obiettivo Sociale fund will keep its name, while the Etica Impatto Clima fund will be renamed Etica Transizione Climatica . This choice reflects the desire to continue to represent the fund's investment strategy, focused on climate transition as a concrete lever for decarbonization, without introducing further constraints on management. For Etica Sgr, investing in companies committed to credible emission reduction paths represents one of the most effective tools for generating a real impact.

In fact, on May 14, 2024, ESMA published the final report Guidelines on funds' names using ESG or sustainability-related terms , containing the official guidelines on the use of terms related to ESG and sustainability in the names of funds. These indications are the result of a consultation launched in 2022 to respond to the growing demand for transparency, aiming to protect investors, ensuring the correct use of green labels and combating greenwashing practices.

The guidelines have established specific criteria for different categories of funds, such as the naming of funds that include terms related to sustainability , the naming of funds that include terms related to the environment or impact , and the naming of funds that include terms related to transition , social or governance .

Specific recommendations are also included for funds that use terms such as “ transition ”, “ impact ” or combinations of these in their names. For newly established funds, these guidelines entered into force on 21 November 2024. Existing funds were given a 6-month transition period, so that they could comply by 21 May 2025.

“The entry into force of the ESMA guidelines represents for us an important confirmation of the solidity of our ESG selection methodology and the transparency that have always characterized our work,” said Luca Mattiazzi , General Manager of Etica Sgr. “In a context in which sustainability faces increasingly complex global challenges, Etica Sgr continues to stand out for its seriousness, rigor and coherence between words and actions. We remain faithful to our founding values ​​– protection of the planet, human rights and economy at the service of the community – elements on which we have always built a relationship of trust with our clients and the market.”