Last night in a swanky event held in Manhattan's Central Park Zoo, Robeco introduced us to their friend and partner, SAM (Sustainable Asset Management). SAM and Robeco formed their strategic alliance in 2006.

It was fitting that SAM, a company that focuses on sustaining the environment, held the kickoff event of its equity strategies in the U.S. market at a place that offers city dwellers rare access to the natural environment.

The evening began with a private showing of the sea lions program. No expense was spared; appetizers included an assortment of sushi and caviar.

Reto Ringger, the CEO of SAM, took some time to chat with the MFWire about what SAM has in store for the U.S. market. Ringger said that SAM plans to introduce equity products that focus on the themes of Water, Climate, and Global Sustainability to the U.S. market by year's end.

Ringger pointed out that sustainable investing does not belong in the same box as the socially responsible investing strategies that U.S. investors may already be familiar with. Sustainable investing is about inclusion, he said, whereas SRI investing is about exclusion.

Also present and presenting at the event were George Moller, CEO of the Robeco Group, and William Kelly, the CEO of Robeco Asset Management. Both took to the podium to talk about the importance of sustainable investing for the earth as a whole.

Michael Petronella, president of Dow Jones Indexes, also took the stage to speak about the sustainable indexes that SAM partners with his company on.

After the presentations, partygoers were given the rare opportunity of being able to explore Central Park Zoo without the crowds that usually populate the area. Andew Healy and Middleberg PR definitely gave SAM a great introduction to the U.S. market.  

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