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Sustainably sourced gold investments
with substance:

We make ESG measurable in the gold market

Fabian Blank

Fabian Blank, CFA, CESGA


Financial Markets

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Gold remains a sought-after asset class, not least due to the spiraling national debt of virtually every country. But what is the real sustainability of this glittering classic?

Gold remains a sought-after asset class, not least due to the spiraling national debt of virtually every country. But what is the real sustainability of this glittering classic?

With Switzerland's first sustainable gold fund, we have not only provided an answer, but have also recently started offering concrete data on this topic. Our reporting now transparently discloses the mines of origin and CO₂ intensity of the gold – a milestone for responsible investments.

Gold in transition – from safe haven to sustainable investment

In times of economic uncertainty, private and institutional investors are increasingly turning to gold. Whether as a crisis-proof hedge, inflation protection, or strategic portfolio addition. Parallel to the increased need for security, demands for transparency and sustainability are also growing. Traditional gold mining often conflicts with environmental standards and social rights – a contradiction that is difficult to reconcile with the ESG requirements of many investors.

This raises the question: can gold also be sustainable? Our answer: yes – with Swiss Rock Asset Management. As a pioneer in the Swiss market for sustainably sourced gold investments, we were the first provider to launch a fund that is consistently committed to sustainability in the gold sector. Instead of relying on lip service, our fund is based on a physically traceable gold standard: Green Gold.

Green Gold – more than just a clear conscience

The Green Gold purchased for our fund comes exclusively from responsibly operated mines with proven ESG compliance. The entire procurement process is transparent, unambiguous, and meets the highest quality standards from start to finish, i.e., from atom to bar:

  • Mine selection: We only work with mines that can demonstrate high environmental and social standards – for example, in the areas of biodiversity protection, CO₂ reduction, water consumption, and occupational safety. These standards are regularly audited by independent third-party institutes
  • Supply chain: The gold goes through a totally separate supply chain – without mixing with conventional gold. Each batch of Green Gold is transported, stored, processed, and delivered separately
  • Traceability: Each piece of Green Gold can be traced back to its original mine using a unique serial number. This enables us to provide maximum transparency regarding the origin and conditions of extraction
  • Independent verification: Compliance with ESG criteria is regularly checked and verified by independent third parties. External audits ensure that both the mines and the entire supply chain meet strict sustainability standards

Transparency that goes deeper: our ESG reporting

Our new reporting system sets further standards: in addition to traditional financial indicators, we now also provide sustainability-related metrics with a particular focus on environmental aspects:

  • Detailed mine breakdown: You can see clearly which certified mines the gold held in the fund comes from
  • CO₂ intensity per ounce and million invested: The environmental impact is quantified and reported in various forms—for targeted comparisons and informed decisions

Gold Mines:

ESG and gold – a good match offering many opportunities

Gold is not only a safe haven and a credible, sustainable investment, but also a versatile instrument in asset management. Our Swiss Rock Gold Sustainably Sourced fund proves that ESG and gold are not mutually exclusive. With investments in “green gold” and our new reporting standard, we are setting further benchmarks for sustainable investments.

You can find more information on the sustainable gold fund and current ESG figures in Swiss Rock Asset Management's reporting.

Link: Swiss Rock Gold Fonds Nachhaltig Beschafft B CHF | Swiss Rock Asset Management AG

 

 

 

 

 

 

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