On Tuesday, 26 January 2010, Boerse Stuttgart, in conjunction with Stuttgart Financial, the general communication platform for the financial centre of Stuttgart, and the Rottenburg University of Applied Forest Sciences took part in the nationwide Climate and Finance week of action organised by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Many investors and visitors to the Stuttgart Stock Exchange had the opportunity to obtain information about different forms of sustainable investment at numerous talks, at the information booths of various exhibitors and during a panel discussion. "This private investors' day is intended to make consumers more aware about climate protection and, above all, to motivate private investors to seek extensive information about climate-friendly investments and products," said Oliver Hans, Managing Director of Baden-Wuerttembergische Wertpapierboerse.
At a panel discussion, the Baden-Wuerttemberg Minister of Food and Rural Development, Peter Hauk MdL, Prof Dr Bastian Kaiser (Rector of the Rottenburg University of Applied Forest Sciences), Hermann-Josef Tenhagen (Chief Editor of Finanztest), Dr Gerhard Fischer (Head of Corporate Sustainability for Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, LBBW) and Oliver Hans (Managing Director of Baden-Wuerttembergische Wertpapierboerse GmbH) discussed the subject of Climate and Sustainable Investment.
For Consumer Affairs Minister Peter Hauk climate protection is far from being the sole criterion for buying securities. "As with every traditional investment, those investing in climate-protection securities need to make a hard-headed assessment of the risks and rewards," said Peter Hauk during the panel discussion. In addition, consumers must be able to clearly identify what a security is all about and what aims are being pursued. Only in this way, he said, can investors judge whether the investment is compatible with their own personal financial planning.
Prof Dr Bastian Kaiser also pointed out that sustainable financial products need to have and satisfy certain criteria before one can speak of a serious investment alternative that can be recommended. "Neither the forest nor the principle of sustainability should be misused as a mere label," said Professor Kaiser.
Dr Gerhard Fischer drew attention to the sectors and companies that investors should pay particular attention to in future. "As raw materials grow scarce and carbon dioxide emissions become more and more costly, this will naturally benefit technologies and companies that make more efficient use of raw materials, help avoid emissions and explore new avenues in terms of energy supplies, mobility and infrastructure," emphasised Fischer.
After the panel discussion, Minister Hauk opened the "Kerstin Schaefer: 1+1=3" art exhibition at the Stuttgart Stock Exchange. The work of artist Kerstin Schaefer can be viewed free of charge in the foyer of Boerse Stuttgart from 10:00 until 17:00 hours (CET) up until and including 19 February 2010.
In the afternoon visitors were able to gather information from the many booths of various exhibitors in the foyer of the stock exchange. These included LBBW Asset Management Investmentgesellschaft mbH, HOCHTIEF Facility Management GmbH, the Forest Stewardship Council and Miller Forest Investment AG. Visitors were also able to attend a comprehensive series of talks on sustainable forms of investment.