RIBI™ 2025: The Transformation of Responsible Investment Standards

Responsible Investment Brand Index (RIBI™) 2025

In the latest edition of the Responsible Investment Brand Index (RIBI™) 2025, a transformative shift in the responsible investment landscape has been highlighted. This year's report evaluated 623 asset managers globally, underscoring that simply adhering to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria is no longer sufficient. A clear and authentic identity has emerged as a crucial requirement for success in this evolving market.

The findings of RIBI™ 2025 indicate a movement towards what can be termed Responsible Investment 2.0. In this new era, factors like authenticity, consistency, and strategic clarity are becoming significant determinants of leadership within the investment community. The report signals a trend where investors are not just looking for compliance, but are demanding a coherent purpose and a clear differentiation of values from asset managers.

Key Findings from RIBI™ 2025

One of the notable revelations from RIBI™ 2025 is the ranking of firms based on their commitment to responsible investment. Seven firms retained their positions in the top tier, while industry newcomers such as Nuveen, Mirova, and Triodos have made remarkable entries into the elite group known as the "Avant-Gardists." Notably, Nuveen stands out as the only American company to make it into the global top 10.

The top performers in responsible investment, as per the RIBI™ 2025 report, are as follows:

1. DPAM
2. CANDRIAM
3. Pictet Asset Management
4. UBS Asset Management
5. Nordea Asset Management
6. Nuveen
7. Mirova
8. Robeco
9. Triodos Investment Management
10. WHEB Asset Management

Europe continues to hold a dominant position with exceptionally high commitment and brand ratings. France has surpassed the Benelux countries to emerge as the strongest sub-region on the continent. Meanwhile, Japan has achieved commendable integration of responsible investment practices, being the only country without any firms categorized as "Laggards." In stark contrast, the U.S. holds the highest share of Laggards despite hosting the largest number of asset managers.

Interestingly, China, although still developing, has made significant strides in this area, currently outperforming the U.S.

The Challenge of Authenticity

One of the critical trends observed is that a well-articulated purpose is no longer adequate. While over half of the asset managers surveyed—53%—have defined their mission, a mere 45% have succeeded in translating this into a distinctive value-based differentiation. In an increasingly interchangeable market, authenticity is becoming recognized as a paramount form of strategic differentiation.

The RIBI™ 2025 report considers various perspectives through top-10 rankings categorized by country, size, and type of managed assets. For those interested in delving deeper, the full index, including methodology and additional information, is available on the RIBI website.

To engage with the insights further, a live webcast of the report launch is scheduled for today at 3 PM CEST. For media inquiries, please contact RIBI™ via Brand Affairs AG at media@brandaffairs.ch or call +41 44 254 80 00.

In conclusion, as the RIBI™ 2025 illustrates, the realm of responsible investing is evolving drastically. Investors are poised to prioritize authentic identities and strategic clarity, marking the dawn of a new era in the investment world.