By Caroline Löbhard, March 2, 2022
How the war in Ukraine is connected with responsible investmentss
Harsh times have come over Europe. The hole world is shocked by Putin's aggression against the Ukraine.
Fossil fuel exclusion -- a clear-cut issue
The exclusion of fossil energy sources in our financial investments hits the nail on the head better than ever. Now, at the latest, it has become clear how dangerous dependencies in energy supply on individual players are -- be they large companies or governments that spare no means to assert their interests. After all, energy is an important part of public services and the basis of practically every economic activity. With the energy transition, away from fossil fuels and toward a broad potpourri of renewable, green energies, we can not only mitigate the threat of climate change, but also free ourselves from dependence on brutal regimes with a questionable understanding of the law.
![Strommix 2021: Stromerzeugung in Deutschland [Netto]](/static/pics/blog_posts/2022-03-ukraine/strommix-stromerzeugung-deutschland-2021.jpg)
What is our position on the arms industry today?
But is a financial investment that excludes investments in weapons and armaments really still sustainable after the much-cited "turn of the times"? Today, we are witnessing how a Russia armed to the teeth under the leadership of Vladimir Putin is breaking international law, trampling on achievements of the international order and the United Nations does not seem to play any role. There is an unprecedented consensus in the Bundestag on more weapons and strengthening the Bundeswehr. The right to self-defense, the duty to defend democracy and the international order -- we too would probably take up arms if necessary.
A world without weapons is a utopia, just like the idea that peace is achieved through deterrence, by the way. We are convinced that armaments are not a good basis for a sustainable investment. With Goldmarie Finanzen, we and our customers will not profit from the investment offensive announced by Olaf Scholz for the German armed forces.
- Today, a large part of the arms industry still serves small arms, which find their way into the hands of militias, civil war parties or mafia structures via routes that can hardly be controlled and are used in unclear, often intra-state conflicts.
- We believe it is dangerous for the financial sector to profit from military conflict and for diplomacy, negotiation and compromise to be compromised by deterrent arsenals.
- Armaments are never purely deterrent or strategic, but always potentially lethal and traumatizing. Who today would not wish that nuclear weapons simply did not exist?
Responsible investment is more justified than ever
Russia's invasion of Ukraine shows once again that we do not live in a dreamy wonderland of perpetual peace and prosperity. Everyone is challenged to stand up for their own values and convictions. Here are a few examples:
Taking international law seriously
We want to see a strengthening of the United Nations, the strengthening of institutions that can enforce international law. So it is only logical to take the international community seriously in our field of business and only offer investments that are in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN.
Education and information as a weapon against repressive regimes
In countries like Russia, the population suffers under a repressive regime that tries to hold on to power with the help of false information and state propaganda, among other things. In our investments, we prefer companies that enable education and free information.
Fighting corruption and the violation of human rights
We only invest in companies that comply with the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact -- i.e. e.g. compliance with human rights, labor rights, anti-corruption.
Democracy, fundamental rights, freedom of information and international law enable us to live a good, free and peaceful life. A financial investment is a participation in business practices and for us it is clear that the same standards must be set here as in all other areas of life.
