• The launch of two environment funds, Ecosphere World and Ecosphere Europe, in 2007,
• The launch in June 2009 of the Saint-Honoré Europe SRI fund -which is ESG-compliant and has the Novethic label,
• the setting up of a dedicated SRI investment and research team run by Manuel Doméon,

Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management wished to establish a lasting base for its commitment to responsible finance.

SIGNING OF THE UN PRINCIPLES FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT

On April 23 2010, Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management signed the six Principles for Responsible Investment drawn up by the United Nations. This means its investment management will gradually take environmental, social and governance issues into account.

INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL ABS SOCIETAL CRITERIA INTO VOTING PRINCIPLES AT COMPANY SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS

Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management has decided its voting principles will now respect social, societal and environmental criteria as well as good corporate governance. This policy will apply uniformly across all stocks held by portfolios in France and on all international stock exchanges.

“This move is fully coherent with our company's conservative growth approach to fund management and its determination to defend the interests of minority shareholders while constantly striving for performance and long-term value creation. By involving itself in the social, societal and environmental resolutions put forward by companies or their shareholders, Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management wishes to act in the best interests of the clients who have subscribed to its funds” said Bruno Vanier, Chief Investment Officer (Equities).

THE SAINT-HONORE EUROPE SRI FUND SIGNS UP TO THE AFG/FIR TRANSPARENCY CODE

To meet the very highest standards on transparency in its ESG-compliant SRI approach, Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management was keen to see its Saint-Honoré Europe SRI comply with the AFG/FIR transparency code.

The AGF/FIR transparency code is the French version of the Guiding Principles on Transparency in General Public SRI Funds drawn up by Eurosif3. The Transparency Code is a European benchmark which will allow Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management to improve the clarity and transparency of the SRI approach of the Saint-Honoré Europe SRI fund to investors and any other stakeholders.

According to Philippe Couvrecelle, Chairman of the Executive Board of Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management: “This is an important step in our commitment as a responsible asset management company to gradually place ESG issues at the centre of our future growth.”