France

Some facts about the French market (based on research and analysis by Novethic):

  • SRI Market Size*: Core SRI €29.9 billion (as of 31/12/2008, +37% compared to 2007), Broad SRI €70.1 billion (as of 31/12/2007)
  • SRI Institutional Market Size: 75% of Core market (€22.5 billion)
  • Investment vehicule: discretionanry mandates (55%) have now overtaken investment funds (45%).
  • Influential actors: Large institutional investors such as Pension Reserve Funds (FRR), the French Public Service Additional Pension Scheme (ERAFP) and various insurers. Employee Savings Plans represent 11% of the SRI market and trade unions play a key role in defining the ESP offer and its SRI characteristics.
  • Leading Strategies: ESB Best-in-Class approaches and multiple-factor ethical exlusions. Integration is also showing a rapid growth.
  • Number of funds: total 232 as of Dec. 2008
  • Legal Milestones: disclosure regulation on ESG issues for listed companies (2001), introduction of the Pension Reserve Fund and law relating SRI issues to Employees Saving Plans in 2001.
  • SIF (yes/no): Yes, Forum pour l'Investissement Responsable (FIR) since 2001

* The Novethic definition of national market differs slightly from Eurosif's, hence some slight differences when comparing market figures.

For more information on SRI in France please

  • Visit Novethic, the leading research center in France on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Socially Responsible Investment (SRI). www.novethic.com
  • Download the French section of Eurosif's European SRI Study 2008 (based on research and analysis conducted by Novethic and Eurosif)