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Evergreen Sustainable World Stocks: Where sustainable investing and strong performance come together
Date:
08. January 2026
Sustainability is no longer a niche topic. However, many investors continue to ask a central question: does climate-focused investing come at the expense of returns? Evergreen Sustainable World Stocks provides a clear answer - and a compelling one. The fund demonstrates that sustainability and performance are not mutually exclusive, but can actively reinforce one other.
Launched at the end of 2022, this global equity fund is categorised as an Article 9 fund under the SFDR, meaning it pursues a defined sustainable investment objective.
In this interview with ChampionsNews, Iven Kurz, CEO, and Benjamin Kaden, CFA, Head of Asset Management, at Evergreen discuss the distinctive characteristics of the Evergreen Sustainable World Stocks' sustainability framework and investment approach.
Iven Kurz: The Evergreen Sustainable World Stocks fund (ISIN: DE000A3DQ2Z2, AK E) aims to keep the carbon intensity of its portfolio below a Paris-compatible benchmark. The reference index is the MSCI World Climate Paris Aligned Index, which itself already meets stringent climate standards.
The approach is based on a multi-stage ESG process with clear exclusion criteria and continuous monitoring. The decisive factor is that the carbon footprint is not merely disclosed, but actively influencing portfolio construction – determining which companies are included and which are excluded. Social and governance factors are also systematically integrated into the analysis. Importantly, ESG criteria remain strictly unchanged and are not adjusted in response to short-term market trends, such as increased interest in the defence sector for instance.
How is the equity portfolio structured?
Benjamin Kaden: A look at the portfolio reveals that the fund is designed as a broadly diversified global strategy, investing worldwide across sectors and market capitalisations. However, unlike traditional global indices such as the MSCI World, it deliberately avoids concentration risk.
The pronounced US dominance typical of passive global portfolios is materially reduced. Additionally, the so-called ‘constrained market cap’ approach prevents mega-cap companies like Apple, Microsoft and NVIDIA from receiving disproportionate weightings. The result is instead a balanced global portfolio that captures a broad range of opportunities without dependence on a small number of stocks.
Typical core holdings are high-quality growth companies with low carbon intensity, particularly in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and communications.
For which investor group can the fund offer added value?
Benjamin Kaden: Since its launch in 2022, Evergreen Sustainable World Stocks has delivered a market-aligned – and at times above-average - annual performance of over 12 percent through the end of November 2025. The fund is therefore aimed at investors seeking a high yield, global equity allocation while simultaneously adhering to robust sustainability criteria.
What makes the strategy distinctive is that climate protection and economic quality go hand in hand, eliminating the perceived trade-off between ecological and economic sustainability. It is precisely this combination that makes the approach particularly compelling.
What should investors know about minimum investment, share classes and accessibility?
Iven Kurz: The Evergreen Sustainable World Stocks is structured as a retail mutual fund and is widely accessible, with a minimum investment of just one euro. Investors can choose between two accumulating share classes, with ongoing charges of 0.80 percent and 1.52 percent per annum, respectively. Depending on the distributor, any initial charge may be waived or reduced. This ensures that the fund combines clearly defined sustainability objectives with a transparent and investor-friendly cost structure.
Who is behind Evergreen?
Iven Kurz: Evergreen is a digital asset management firm based in Leipzig. We currently serve more than 22,000 customers and also make our investment products available to partners via API integrations and white-label solutions.
I founded Evergreen in 2018, having previously set up the value preservation strategies division at asset management subsidiaries of Metzler and Lampe. From the outset, it was clear that we would pursue a consistent focus on sustainable investment products. Our certification as a B Corp (Benefit Corporation) confirms this strategic direction.
Our fund offering includes a global equity fund, a bond fund, and a capital preservation fund. Benjamin Kaden brings extensive institutional investment from roles at UBS, State Street and Berenberg. His depth of expertise is invaluable to us, as we seek to combine sustainability with a rigorous, professional investment approach.
A summary of your investor rights can be found at www.universal-investment.com/en/Corporate/Compliance/Investor-Rights. In addition, we would like to point out that Universal Investment may, in the case of funds for which it has made arrangements as management company for the distribution of fund units in other EU member states, decide to cancel these arrangements in accordance with Article 93a of Directive 2009/65/EC and Article 32a of Directive 2011/61/EU, i.e. in particular by making a blanket offer to repurchase or redeem all corresponding units held by investors in the relevant member state.
Investing in a fund is a risky investment, meaning that investors in the fund may suffer a loss of value up to an amount corresponding to a total loss of the entire capital invested in the fund's shares. Accordingly, potential investors should have adequate and sufficient liquidity to be able to bear the economic loss of their investment in the fund. When deciding to invest in the advertised fund, investors should also consider the sustainability-related aspects of the characteristics or objectives of the advertised fund as set out in the sales prospectus. Further information on the sustainability aspects of Evergreen Sustainable World Stocks – AK E can be found in the web document. This can be found at Evergreen Sustainable World Stocks - Anteilkl. E - Fund Facts - Universal Investment Fund Finder.
