KGAL Appoints Susanne Marttila ESG Officer, Plans to Launch Sustainable Infrastructure Strategy
German investment manager KGAL announced today the appointment of Susanne Marttila as ESG officer. In her new role, Marttila will focus on advancing the company’s expansion of its ESG activities and social responsibility fulfillment.
KGAL also announced plans to grow its sustainability strategy with the introduction of new energy transition investment solutions.
Gert Wallternbauer, CEO of KGAL, said
“Sustainability is a key component of KGAL’s DNA, and is clearly demonstrable by a number of factors such as the launch of the first KGAL fund for renewable energies in 2003, the implementation of environmental protection as a strategic goal since 2010, the signing of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment in 2018, and the adoption of the climate strategy last October.”
Marttila joins KGAL from corporate governance and responsible investment solutions company Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), most recently serving as Regional Head EMEA, ESG Ratings. Prior to ISS, she also served at Oekom Research as a Senior Analyst.
Marttila commented:
“Climate change is presenting the world with unprecedented challenges. Investments in renewable energies are central to meeting these challenges as the basis of the energy transition. But the sustainable orientation of the real estate sector and future-proof mobility also play very important roles in climate protection.”
KGAL also announced plans for a new investment opportunity, focused on energy transformation – or ‘Power-to-X’ – for investors in the infrastructure sector. KGAL has directed approximately €3.2 billion to infrastructure investments since 2003, including acquiring 150 voltaic plants, wind farms, and hydroelectric power plants. As its focus shifts further to energy transition-oriented investments, the company’s infrastructure asset class will be renamed Sustainable Infrastructure.
Michael Ebner, Managing Director of KGAL Investment Management, said:
“We want to set an example and continue to enhance our sustainability profile. Everyone should be able to see from the outset that our infrastructure fund offerings are 100 per cent focused on sustainability.”