Sustainability in Financial Business: With a Specific Focus on Responsible Investments (eQ and Blue Planet Fund)
Välimäki, Laura (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120131385
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120131385
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this thesis was to examine how sustainability was reflected in investment practices through a case study of eQ Asset Management and the eQ Blue Planet Fund. The study explored how responsible investment principles, sustainability models, and regulatory frameworks influenced the
company’s investment strategies, reporting practices, and long-term outcomes.
A qualitative case study approach was applied, drawing on company sustainability reports, eQ Blue Planet Fund documentation, regulatory disclosures, and industry literature. Informal insights from managers at eQ provided additional context. The analysis focused on the integration of sustainability principles and regulations, the role of active ownership, the use of technology, and Alignment with international reporting Standards.
The findings showed that responsible investment has become an established part of eQ’s asset management practices. Systematic ESG integration, active ownership, and transparent reporting were found to enhance both credibility and long-term value creation. However, challenges were identified, including dependence on external data providers, inconsistencies in measurement, and risks of sectoral concentration. These issues highlighted the need for stronger internal evaluation, improved data consistency, and broader diversification.
The study concluded that sustainability, when comprehensively embedded into investment processes, can contribute to both financial performance and positive societal outcomes, as evidenced by growing customer interest. Recommendations for eQ emphasized the need for clearer measurement of engagement outcomes, the development of internal evaluation tools, broader diversification, and the use of digital technologies to track sustainability performance. For the financial sector, the research emphasized the importance of harmonized reporting, improved data quality, and closer collaboration to mitigate greenwashing and enhance trust.
company’s investment strategies, reporting practices, and long-term outcomes.
A qualitative case study approach was applied, drawing on company sustainability reports, eQ Blue Planet Fund documentation, regulatory disclosures, and industry literature. Informal insights from managers at eQ provided additional context. The analysis focused on the integration of sustainability principles and regulations, the role of active ownership, the use of technology, and Alignment with international reporting Standards.
The findings showed that responsible investment has become an established part of eQ’s asset management practices. Systematic ESG integration, active ownership, and transparent reporting were found to enhance both credibility and long-term value creation. However, challenges were identified, including dependence on external data providers, inconsistencies in measurement, and risks of sectoral concentration. These issues highlighted the need for stronger internal evaluation, improved data consistency, and broader diversification.
The study concluded that sustainability, when comprehensively embedded into investment processes, can contribute to both financial performance and positive societal outcomes, as evidenced by growing customer interest. Recommendations for eQ emphasized the need for clearer measurement of engagement outcomes, the development of internal evaluation tools, broader diversification, and the use of digital technologies to track sustainability performance. For the financial sector, the research emphasized the importance of harmonized reporting, improved data quality, and closer collaboration to mitigate greenwashing and enhance trust.