The CHF33bn (€29.5bn) pension fund for the canton of Zurich wants to set the responsible investment benchmark for Swiss pension funds when it comes to quality of implementation and communicating measures taken.

This is according to one of 10 principles that BVK – Switzerland’s third largest pension fund by assets under management – has adopted for its approach to responsible investment, which it said was an integral part of risk management.

Also among BVK’s 10 principles was a statement that focusing on efficient processes, transparent structures and low costs had a place in responsible investment.

BVK also clearly stated that responsible investment could conflict with return goals, and that in such a situation it would prioritise long-term return optimisation.

  IPE