Génération Impact Global SFDR
Génération Impact Global GRI
Génération Impact Global SASB
Génération Impact Global ESRS
Génération Impact Global IFRS
Génération Impact Global TCFD
SFDR
Le règlement relatif à la publication d'informations sur la finance durable

Introduction

The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), introduced by the European Union in December 2019 under Regulation (EU) 2019/2088, seeks to enhance transparency in the financial sector by requiring financial market participants and advisers to disclose detailed information on sustainability practices. This regulation mandates that these entities provide investors with insights into how sustainability risks, which can impact the value and returns of investments (‘outside-in’ effect), are considered. Additionally, it requires disclosure of the adverse effects that investments may have on the environment and society (‘inside-out’ effect). Such information must be made available not only for specific financial products but also at the firm level, and should be accessible via company websites, pre-contractual product documents, and annual reports.
The SFDR establishes rules that require financial market participants to substantiate any sustainability claims associated with their financial products. These regulations apply to various entities managing assets on behalf of investors, including asset managers, insurance companies, pension providers, and investment firms.

Policy making timeline

8 March 2018

Action plan - Sustainable finance

25 May 2018

Legislative proposals

10 March 2021

Legislation

25 July 2022

Legislation - Publication

17 February 2023

Legislation

14 September 2023

Consultation - SFDR

3 May 2024

Consultation - SFDR

24 July 2024

ESMA - Opinion

8 March 2018: Action plan - Sustainable finance
The European Commission's Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy, part of the broader action plan on financing sustainable growth, aims to direct financial resources towards achieving sustainability goals. A key component of this strategy is Action 9, which focuses on enhancing sustainability disclosures and strengthening accounting standards. This action seeks to improve the quality and consistency of sustainability-related information provided by companies, ensuring that investors have the necessary data to make informed decisions and contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable economy.

25 May 2018: Legislative proposals
The European Commission's legislative proposals on sustainable finance are intended to strengthen the EU's framework for promoting sustainable investment, ensuring that financial market participants duly integrate sustainability considerations into their practices. These proposals establish a legal framework aimed at managing sustainability risks, enhancing transparency, and fostering long-term investment strategies aligned with the EU's environmental and sustainability objectives. The legislative package further seeks to ensure that the financial system contributes effectively to the transition towards a sustainable economy by mandating the incorporation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment decision-making processes.

10 March 2021: Legislation
The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation comes into application.

25 July 2022: Legislation - Publication
The European Commission published Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1288 on 6 April 2022, which sets forth the technical standards to be utilized by financial market participants when disclosing sustainability-related information under the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR). These requirements came into effect on 1 January 2023.
This Delegated Regulation precisely defines the content, methodology, and presentation of the required disclosures, thereby enhancing the quality and comparability of the sustainability-related information provided by financial market participants. Additionally, a corrigendum to this Delegated Regulation was issued on 27 December 2022, further refining its provisions.

17 February 2023: Legislation
The European Commission published Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/363 on 31 October 2022, which amends and corrects the regulatory technical standards established in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1288. These amendments specifically address the content and presentation of information required in pre-contractual documents and periodic reports for financial products that invest in environmentally sustainable economic activities. The new requirements came into effect on 20 February 2023.
These amendments mandate that financial market participants disclose the degree to which their portfolios are exposed to gas and nuclear-related activities that align with the Taxonomy, as outlined in the Complementary Climate Delegated Act (CDA).
To facilitate compliance with these disclosure requirements under the SFDR, the three European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA, and ESMA) have made editable Word templates available on their websites for use by financial market participants.

14 September 2023: Consultation - SFDR
The European Commission has initiated two consultations regarding the implementation of the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR):

  1. Public Consultation: This consultation invites feedback from the general public on the implementation of the SFDR. The aim is to gather a broad range of views to inform potential adjustments or improvements to the regulation.
    End date: 15 December 2023.
  2. Targeted Consultation: This consultation specifically seeks input from stakeholders directly impacted by the SFDR, including financial market participants, advisers, and other relevant entities. It focuses on more detailed aspects of the regulation’s implementation.
    End date: 15 December 2023.

3 May 2024: Consultation - SFDR
The European Commission has published the summary report of the public and targeted consultations on the implementation of the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR). This report consolidates the feedback received from both the general public and stakeholders directly impacted by the SFDR, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness and challenges of the regulation's implementation. The findings from these consultations will inform future adjustments to ensure the SFDR continues to support the EU’s sustainability objectives effectively.

24 July 2024: ESMA - Opinion
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator, has published an Opinion on the Sustainable Finance Regulatory Framework, suggesting potential long-term improvements. While recognizing the current framework’s effectiveness and safeguards against greenwashing, ESMA proposes further evolution to enhance investors' access to sustainable investments and improve the Sustainable Investment Value Chain.
Key recommendations include making the EU Taxonomy the central reference for sustainability assessments across all Sustainable Finance legislation, completing the Taxonomy for environmental sustainability, and developing a social taxonomy. ESMA also advocates for the introduction of a clear definition of transition investments, mandatory sustainability disclosures for all financial products, a product categorization system with defined eligibility criteria, and improved regulation of ESG data products. Additionally, ESMA emphasizes the importance of consumer and industry testing before implementing new policies. These recommendations build on ESMA’s previous reports on greenwashing and its response to the European Commission's request for input on this issue, next to the Final report of greenwashing.

ESAs Opinion on SFDR
Scope and Applicability of the SFDR

Entities Covered by the SFDR

The SFDR applies to a broad spectrum of financial market participants, including asset managers, insurance companies, pension providers, and investment firms. Financial advisers are also subject to the regulation, ensuring that all entities involved in the provision and management of financial products are aligned with the EU’s sustainability objectives. Notably, the SFDR distinguishes between different types of financial products, categorizing them under Articles 6, 8, and 9, each with varying levels of disclosure requirements depending on their sustainability characteristics.

Geographical Scope and Extra-Territorial Impact

While the SFDR primarily targets EU-based entities, its scope extends to non-EU entities that market financial products within the EU. This extra-territorial application ensures that all products available to EU investors adhere to the same transparency and sustainability standards, thereby fostering a level playing field across global financial markets.

Interaction with Other EU Regulations

The SFDR is not an isolated regulation; it operates within a complex web of EU legislation aimed at fostering sustainability. It closely interacts with the EU Taxonomy Regulation, which provides a classification system for sustainable economic activities, and the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), which mandates sustainability reporting for large companies. With the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) set to replace the NFRD, financial market participants must navigate these overlapping obligations carefully, ensuring comprehensive compliance across all regulatory frameworks.

Disclosure Requirements under the SFDR

Pre-Contractual Disclosures

One of the SFDR’s key components is the requirement for financial market participants to provide detailed pre-contractual disclosures. These disclosures must include information on how sustainability risks are integrated into investment decisions and the principal adverse impacts (PAIs) of these decisions on sustainability factors. The level of detail required varies depending on the product classification—Article 6 products have basic disclosure requirements, while Article 8 and 9 products, which promote environmental or social characteristics or have a sustainable investment objective, are subject to more stringent obligations.

Website Disclosures

To ensure ongoing transparency, the SFDR mandates that financial market participants publicly disclose sustainability-related information on their websites. This includes the entity’s policy on integrating sustainability risks, details on how PAIs are considered, and information on how these factors influence remuneration policies. These disclosures are intended to provide investors with easy access to relevant information, supporting informed investment decisions.

Periodic Reporting Obligations

In addition to pre-contractual and website disclosures, the SFDR requires periodic reporting on the sustainability performance of financial products. For Article 8 and 9 products, these reports must demonstrate how the products’ environmental or social characteristics or sustainable investment objectives have been achieved. This ongoing reporting obligation ensures that financial products remain aligned with their stated sustainability goals throughout their lifecycle.

Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) and Amendments

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1288

To standardize the format and content of sustainability disclosures, the European Commission adopted Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1288. These RTS provide detailed guidance on the methodologies for calculating sustainability metrics and assessing PAIs, ensuring that disclosures are comparable across different financial products and entities.

Amendments via Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/363

Further refinements to the SFDR were introduced through Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/363, which became effective on 20 February 2023. These amendments specifically address the disclosure of financial products’ exposure to gas and nuclear-related activities, aligning with the EU Taxonomy and the Complementary Climate Delegated Act (CDA). By including these sectors under the disclosure requirements, the regulation ensures that investors are fully informed about the environmental impacts of their investments.

Principal Adverse Impacts (PAI) Statement

Vue d'ensemble

The PAI Statement is a disclosure requirement under the SFDR that mandates financial market participants to assess and report the negative impacts of their investment decisions on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. These impacts, known as Principal Adverse Impacts, can include a wide range of issues, such as carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, water usage, and violations of human rights.
The purpose of the PAI Statement is to ensure that investors are fully informed about the potential adverse effects of their investments, enabling them to make more responsible and sustainable choices. By providing this information, financial market participants can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and align with the EU’s broader goals of promoting sustainable finance.

Key Components

The PAI Statement is structured around a set of indicators that financial market participants must assess and disclose. These indicators are categorized into environmental, social, and governance factors, providing a comprehensive view of the potential adverse impacts of investments. The Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) introduced under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1288 provide detailed guidance on the specific indicators to be used and the methodology for calculating them.

1. Environmental Indicators:

  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Disclosure of direct and indirect carbon emissions associated with investment portfolios.
  • Biodiversity: Assessment of the impact on biodiversity, including land use and habitat destruction.
  • Water Usage: Reporting on water consumption and its effect on local water resources.

2. Social Indicators:

  • Human Rights Violations: Evaluation of investments in companies involved in human rights abuses or unethical labor practices.
  • Community Impact: Analysis of the effects of investments on local communities, including displacement and social disruption.

3. Governance Indicators:

  • Corruption and Bribery: Disclosure of exposure to companies involved in corruption or bribery.
  • Board Diversity: Assessment of the diversity and inclusivity of company boards within the investment portfolio.

Key components of PAI statement

Informations quantitatives

  • 18 indicateurs obligatoires
  • 46 indicateurs facultatifs (au moins un ICP social et un ICP environnemental doivent être rapportés à partir des indicateurs facultatifs)
  • Applicable aux sociétés émettrices, aux actifs immobiliers, aux États souverains et aux États supranationaux.

Informations qualitatives

  • Résumé de l'impact du PAI
  • Explication, actions entreprises et projets
  • Inclure des politiques d'évaluation des IAP
  • Description des mesures prises pour remédier aux IPP
  • Décrire les politiques d'engagement
  • Références aux normes internationales
  • Comparaison historique

Division des indicateurs de la SFDR

Obligatoire
Génération Impact Global SFDR

Key deliverables

The SFDR outlines specific deliverables for financial products, categorized under different articles of the regulation. These deliverables are crucial for ensuring transparency and consistency across all product offerings.

Pre-contractual Disclosure:

  • Article 6 – Non-ESG Funds: Products that do not specifically target ESG objectives but still need to disclose how they consider sustainability risks.
  • Article 7 – Consideration of PAIs: Products must disclose how they consider Principal Adverse Impacts (PAIs) in their investment decisions or explain why they do not.
  • Article 8 – Light Green Funds: Products promoting environmental or social characteristics need to disclose these characteristics and how they are measured and monitored.
  • Article 9 – Dark Green Funds: Products with sustainable investment objectives must disclose these objectives and the methodologies used to assess their achievement.

Website Disclosure:

  • Article 10 – Describe Sustainability Characteristics: Entities must provide detailed descriptions of the sustainability characteristics of their products on their websites.

Periodic Disclosure:

  • Article 11 – Annual Reports for Article 8 & 9 Funds: Periodic reports must be provided to demonstrate how the sustainability characteristics or objectives have been met.

Special Disclosures:

  • Comparison with Designated Index: For products promoting environmental or social characteristics, entities must explain how these characteristics compare with designated benchmarks.
  • Taxonomy Disclosures: Entities need to explain which environmental characteristics the product promotes or which environmental objectives it targets, and to what extent the investments align with activities considered "environmentally sustainable" under the Taxonomy Regulation.
Generation Impact Global Key deliveries at product level

Information précontractuelle

  • Article 6 - Fonds ne relevant pas du GSE
  • Article 7 - Prise en compte des PAI
  • Article 8 - Fonds vert clair
  • Article 9 - Fonds vert foncé

Divulgation du site web

  • Article 10 - Décrire les caractéristiques de la durabilité

Information périodique

  • Article 11 - Rapports annuels pour les fonds des articles 8 et 9

Example SFDR Fund Classifications: A Decision Tree Approach

The SFDR also requires financial products to be classified under specific categories—Article 6, Article 8, or Article 9—based on their sustainability objectives. This classification is essential for determining the level of disclosure required.

Criteria on Fund Classifications:

  • Article 6 Funds: These funds may or may not integrate sustainability risks into their investment processes, but they do not meet the criteria established for Article 8 or Article 9 funds. They typically integrate sustainability risks without actively promoting ESG factors or adhering to strict sustainability criteria.
  • Article 8 Funds (Light Green Funds): These funds promote environmental or social characteristics and ensure that the companies in which they invest follow good governance practices. However, sustainability is not the primary objective of these funds.
  • Article 9 Funds (Dark Green Funds): These funds have sustainable investment as their core objective, meaning they aim to contribute positively to environmental or social objectives through their investments.

SFDR Classification Decision Tree:

  • Step 1: Determine whether the product integrates sustainability risks. If not, it is classified under Article 6.
  • Step 2: If the product does integrate sustainability risks, assess whether it has a sustainable investment objective. If it does, classify it under Article 9.
  • Step 3: If the product promotes environmental or social characteristics but does not have a sustainable investment objective, classify it under Article 8.

This decision tree provides a structured approach for financial market participants to determine the appropriate classification for their products, ensuring compliance with the SFDR and transparency for investors.

Critères de classification des fonds

  • Les fonds relevant de l'article 6 peuvent ou non intégrer le risque de durabilité, mais ne répondent pas aux critères des articles 8 et 9.
  • Le fonds de l'article 8 promeut les caractéristiques de l'E/S et suit des pratiques de bonne gouvernance.
  • Le fonds Article 9 a pour objectif l'investissement durable.
Génération Impact Diagramme SFDR global

The are specific data requirements needed to comply with the disclosure obligations for Article 8 and Article 9 funds. These funds are distinguished by their focus on promoting environmental or social characteristics (Article 8) or having sustainable investment as their core objective (Article 9). To ensure compliance, these funds must gather and disclose both qualitative and quantitative data that support their sustainability claims.

Qualitative Data Requirements

1. EU Taxonomy-Alignment Data (Turnover, CapEx, OpEx):

  • Funds must provide data demonstrating the alignment of their investments with the EU Taxonomy, which defines what constitutes a sustainable economic activity. This includes key financial indicators such as turnover, capital expenditures (CapEx), and operational expenditures (OpEx).

2. PAIs to Support DNSH (Do No Significant Harm):

  • Principal Adverse Impacts (PAIs) must be disclosed to demonstrate that the investments do not significantly harm any environmental or social objectives, in line with the DNSH principle.

3. Governance Data:

  • Detailed governance data is required to show that the investee companies follow good governance practices, including sound management structures, employee relations, and compliance with tax obligations.

4. OECD and UNGC Compliance Data:

  • Compliance with international standards, such as those set by the OECD and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), must be documented and disclosed.

5. Benchmark Data for Comparison:

  • Benchmark data must be provided to compare the performance of the fund against relevant benchmarks, ensuring that the sustainability objectives are being met effectively.

Quantitative Data Requirements

1. Sustainability Indicators:

  • Products must identify and disclose the sustainability indicators used to measure the attainment of the environmental or social characteristics promoted, or the sustainable investment objective.

2. Investment Strategy Implementation:

  • Funds need to explain how the strategy is implemented in the investment process on a continuous basis, ensuring transparency in how sustainability objectives are pursued.

3. Good Governance Practices:

  • A statement of the policy used to assess good governance practices at the investee companies is required, underscoring the importance of governance in sustainable investing.

4. Asset Allocation:

  • Disclosure of the planned asset allocation is essential, detailing how investments are aligned with the promoted environmental or social characteristics. Article 9 funds must also explain how the use of certain assets does not negatively impact the sustainable investment objective.

5. Derivatives:

  • Funds must disclose how derivatives are used, if at all, to achieve the environmental or social characteristics or the sustainable investment objective.

6. Sustainable Investments:

  • An explanation is required on how the investments contribute to sustainable objectives without causing significant harm to any sustainability goal.

7. Principal Adverse Impacts (PAIs):

  • Funds must disclose how their investments affect sustainability factors, ensuring that any negative impacts are transparently reported.

8. Benchmarks:

  • If a designated reference benchmark is used, funds must explain how it aligns with the environmental or social characteristics promoted and how it differs from a broad market index.

Données nécessaires pour les fonds des articles 8 et 9 :

Données qualitatives

  • Données d'alignement de la taxonomie de l'UE (chiffre d'affaires, CapEx, OpEx)
  • Les IPA soutiennent les DNSH
  • Données de gouvernance
  • Données de conformité de l'OCDE et de l'UNGC
  • Données de référence pour comparaison

Données qualitatives

  • Indicateurs de durabilité
  • Stratégie d'investissement
  • Allocation d'actifs
Génération Impact Global SFDR

Data Aggregation in SFDR: A Closer Look

In the context of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), data aggregation at the entity level is a crucial process for accurately reporting sustainability metrics. This process involves compiling and averaging data from various investments to ensure that disclosures reflect the true impact of the entire portfolio. Lets have a look on how data aggregation works, both on a quarterly and annual basis.

Step 1: Aggregating Data Quarterly

The first step in the data aggregation process involves compiling data on a quarterly basis. All investments, whether direct or indirect, are included in this aggregation. The data is then calculated as an arithmetic average of four calculations, which are taken on the last day of each quarter.

  • Inclusion of All Investments: The aggregation process includes all types of investments within the portfolio, ensuring a comprehensive overview. This encompasses both direct investments in companies and indirect investments through other financial instruments.
  • Arithmetic and Weighted Averages: For each quarter, the values are averaged using arithmetic means. Additionally, weighted averages are calculated to reflect the relative size of each investment within the portfolio. This weighted approach allows for a more accurate representation of the portfolio's overall impact, considering the significance of larger investments.

For example, in the provided table, we see different companies (Company 1, Company 2, etc.) with their respective funds (Fund A, Fund B) and quarters (Q1). The data columns include the current value of investment, EVIC (Economic Value to Invested Capital), emissions to water, and calculated weighted averages. These are then summed up to provide an aggregate figure for the quarter.

Step 2: Aggregating Data Annually

After quarterly data is aggregated, the next step is to compile these results annually. This involves averaging the quarterly data to obtain annual metrics that provide a broader view of the investment portfolio’s performance over the year.

  • Annual Aggregation: The data is aggregated annually by taking the weighted averages from each quarter and combining them to get a total for the year. This step includes calculating the average per quarter and then multiplying by the current value of investments to get a weighted average per million euros invested.
  • Weighted Average Per Million Euro Invested: A critical metric in the annual aggregation is the weighted average per million euros invested, which normalizes the data across different investment sizes. This allows for more straightforward comparisons between different periods or portfolios.

The visual shows how data from each quarter is compiled, showing the weighted average per quarter, current value of investments, and weighted average per million euros invested. These are then summed to provide an annual aggregate, which offers a clear snapshot of the sustainability performance of the portfolio over the year.

Importance of Accurate Data Aggregation

Accurate data aggregation is essential for complying with SFDR reporting requirements, particularly for Principal Adverse Impact (PAI) disclosures. By ensuring that all investments are accounted for and that averages reflect the portfolio's true impact, financial market participants can provide more reliable and transparent disclosures to investors. This level of detail helps investors make informed decisions, aligning their investments with their sustainability goals.

Agrégation des données au niveau de l'entité

  • Tous les investissements inclus (investissements directs et indirects)
  • Moyenne arithmétique de quatre calculs effectués le dernier jour de chaque trimestre.
  • Moyenne pondérée, moyenne pondérée par million d'euros vs Moyenne
Génération Impact Global SFDR
Génération Impact Global SFDR