BNP Paribas Asset Management has announced it is to sponsor an international sustainable finance research group.
The fund firm announced its sponsorship of the Global Research Alliance for Sustainable Finance and Investment (GRASFI) to coincide with the inaugural conference of the research group at Maastrict University.
The conference, entitled Managing and Financing Responsible Businesses hosted researchers from around the world between 5 and 7 September. During the conference, academics presented papers in a range of sustainable themes including finance, accounting, management, strategy, law and development economics.
Jane Ambachtsheer, global head of Sustainability at BNP Paribas Asset Management, said that the company believes that issues such as climate change, population growth and social inequality pose new and complex risks.
“It is our duty to address these on behalf of our clients, society as a whole, and future generations,” she said in a statement.
“Accessing emerging academic research and hosting academic interns within our organisation will inform and support this aim. It will also help us to solve complex issues such as how to measure the social and environmental impact of investments.”
Ambachtsheer called on asset managers to actively engage in public debate to help create a global economy that is more equitable and more respectful of the environment.
She added: “Our sponsorship of GRASFI will help to support research that could lead to major progress towards a more sustainable world.”
GRASFI was founded in 2017 and has 19 research university members. BNP Paribas Asset Management’s sponsorship will include financial support for the annual conference and potential grants to PhD students to fund research projects.
Rob Bauer, professor of Finance at Maastricht University and co-Chair of GRASFI, said: “The value of GRASFI will be greatly enhanced through active engagement with investment practitioners, and BNP Paribas Asset Management’s leadership on sustainable investing makes them an ideal partner.”
