Our ESG Philosophy
At Renaissance, we are committed to integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors across all stages of our investment process. We believe that these factors are essential drivers of long-term value and risk management. Our approach is based on the belief that responsible investment is key to enhancing performance and fostering sustainable growth.
Our ESG strategy encompasses a disciplined integration of ESG considerations into our investment lifecycle, from sourcing to exit. We focus on aligning our investments with sustainable practices, aiming to drive positive change and create value for all stakeholders. We believe we have the opportunity and responsibility to advance our ESG efforts and foster best practices across the business community. Our dedicated ESG team collaborates closely with our investment team to ensure our initiatives are continuously improved and aligned with global best practices.
Discover more about our sustainability and ESG vision and how we strive to stay "One-Step-Ahead" in the next video.
Renaissance Responsible Investment Approach
Read our full Renaissance Responsible Investment Policy
Learn more about how we are integrating ESG considerationswithin our investment process. Download
Read our full Renaissance Responsible Investment Policy
Learn more about how we are integrating ESG considerationswithin our investment process. Download
Renaissance ESG Oversight
At Renaissance we are at the forefront of responsible investing, having established a comprehensive ESG governance and oversight structure, and clearly outlining roles and responsibilities to support its commitments and strategy.
The Renaissance ESG Committee, led by our Partners, is responsible of providing strategic direction in terms of the GP’s responsible investment approach and is accountable for the oversight of the Responsible Investment Policy (“RI Policy”) implementation. The Renaissance investment team, supported by the ESG team, is responsible for the implementation of the RI Policy within the pre- and post-investment activities and for periodically reporting to the Renaissance ESG Committee the compliance to such Policy.
Andrea Vallini
Operating Partner and
Sustainability & ESG Practice
Leader
Paloma Lopez Imizcoz
Sustainability & ESG Manager
Read our Renaissance 2024 ESG Annual Report
Learn about how we are building responsible businesses and creating value through ESG. Download
2023 ESG Report
2022 ESG Report
2021 ESG Spotlight
2020 ESG Spotlight
2019 ESG Spotlight
ESG Highlights of Portfolio Companies
Cross-portfolio ESG Goals as of December 20242
100% of Portfolio Companies publish a Corporate Sustainability Report in line with GRI Standards.
100% of Portfolio Companies have appointed an internal role that drives ESG actions in the organization.
90% of Portfolio Companies have established a corporate ESG Working Group/Committee.
80% of the Portfolio Companies have initiated a periodic third-party evaluation and obtained an ESG rating (e.g., EcoVadis).
100% of Portfolio Companies have defined a 3-year ESG value creation plan with dedicated budget and responsibilities.
Fund III ESG highlights3
67% of Portfolio Companies implemented circular economy initiatives.
89% of Portfolio Companies monitor Scope 3 emissions.
67% of Portfolio Companies performed an ESG training program for employees.
56% of Portfolio Companies have a welfare program in place.
100% of Portfolio Companies have a data protection policy and GDPR-related procedure.
44% of Portfolio Companies have a code of conduct for suppliers.
Our Portfolio Companies' ESG Performance
| 2023 ESG Performance4 | Latest Corporate Sustainability Report | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
9% decrease in energy intensity |
80% decrease in rate of recordable work-related injuries |
Available here |
|
25% decrease in scope 2 GHG emissions (Location-based) |
26% decrease in unadjusted gender pay gap |
Available here |
|
8% decrease in total energy consumption |
53% decrease in turnover rate |
Available here |
|
26% decrease in scope 2 GHG emissions (Market-based) |
21% increase in average hours of training per employee |
Available here |
|
35% decrease in GHG emission intensity (Scope 1 + Scope 2 Market-based) |
6% decrease in percentage of turnover |
Available here |
|
52% decrease in scope 1 GHG emissions |
98% of employee with a permanent contract |
Available here |
|
24% decrease in waste generated intensity |
50% decrease in number of work-related injuries occurred to employees |
Available here |
|
13% reduction in energy intensity |
47% increase in new employee hires |
Available here |
|
19% decrease in waste intensity |
27% increase in number of employees under 30 years old |
Available here |
|
13% decrease in GHG emission intensity (Scope 1 + Scope 2 Location-based) |
64% decrease in days lost due to injuries |
Available here |
|
25% decrease in energy intensity |
16% increase in the percentage of women over total employees |
2024 Corporate Sustainability Report Finalized |
Industry Collaboration
We recognize that we have a responsibility to improve the functioning of the private equity industry by encouraging the broader implementation of responsible investing activities. We believe this can best be achieved by working collaboratively with clients and others in the investment industry, including by engaging with individual companies and whole industries, conducting joint research on ESG topics, and supporting the creation and use of industry-standard ESG disclosures.
We are a strong supporter of sustainability initiatives in private equity markets and are active in the following industry-wide initiatives:
In Renaissance we have been a signatory of the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) since our inception in 2015 under the Neuberger Berman umbrella. Starting from 2025, we have become an independent signatory of the UN PRI with our first independent assessment to be published on the second half of 2025.
Since 2022, we have been actively participating in the ESG Data Convergence Initiative (EDCI), which seeks to harmonize and streamline ESG data for private capital markets. By contributing to this initiative, we support the creation of a standardized framework for ESG metrics, facilitating better transparency and comparability across the industry.
We have been a signatory since inception of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) under the Neuberger Berman umbrella, committed to proactively support the Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, fair labour conditions, environmental protection and anti-corruption. Starting from 2025, we have become an independent signatory of the UN Global Compact.
We are a supporter of the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) as we believe that climate change is a material driver of investment risk and return across industries and asset classes.
We are committed to aligning the investment portfolio with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) guidelines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in accordance with the Paris Agreement. By engaging with SBTi, we promote the alignment of our portfolio companies’ decarbonization plans to the SBTi methodologies demonstrating our commitment to a low-carbon economy. Through setting and validating science-based targets, we aim to contribute to the global effort to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
In 2024, we proactively collaborated with the CSB of NYU Stern by piloting the Sustainability Value Framework Tool. This tool, developed by the CSB, assists in analyzing ESG-related risks and opportunities for new investments, linking them to potential market and financial impacts. Following the pilot's success, the tool has been integrated into Renaissance’s ESG integration process to enhance our value creation strategy.
Renaissance’s PRI Assessment Scores
We have been a signatory of the UN PRI since our inception in 2015 under the Neuberger Berman umbrella. Starting in 2025 we have become an independent signatory, performing the reporting activity autonomously.
In the 2023 NB PRI Assessment, the Group scored above the median of all reporting signatories and of large investment management peers globally for our ESG integration efforts in every reported category5.
| PRI Modules | Renaissance Partners Ratings | Median Ratings of all Reporting Signatories |
|---|---|---|
| Policy, Governance & Strategy* | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Indirect - Private Equity | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Confidence Building Measures | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
*Formerly Investment and Stewardship Policy.
1 The ESG cross-portfolio goals as of December 2024 are: i) Publish an annual Sustainability Report in line with GRI Standards; ii) Appoint an ESG role within the operating structure; iii) Establish an ESG Committee to oversee the implementation of the company's sustainability plan; iv) Define a 3-year ESG value creation plan with a dedicated budget and responsibilities; v) Perform third party periodic assessments and obtain third-party ESG ratings (e.g., EcoVadis).
2 Cross-portfolio ESG Goals have been calculated excluding Inetum.
3 Fund III ESG highlights have been calculated excluding Inetum.
4 2023 ESG performance for each KPI is compared to 2022 performance.
5 For illustrative and discussion purposes only. PRI grades are based on information reported directly by PRI signatories, of which investment managers totaled 3,123 for 2023, 2,791 for 2021, 1,545 for 2020, and 1,247 for 2019. All PRI signatories are eligible to participate and must complete a questionnaire to be included. The underlying information submitted by signatories is not audited by the PRI or any other party acting on its behalf. Signatories report on their responsible investment activities by responding to asset-specific modules in the Reporting Framework. Each module houses a variety of indicators that address specific topics of responsible investment. Signatories’ answers are then assessed and results are compiled into an Assessment Report. The underlying information has not been audited by the PRI or any other party acting on its behalf. While every effort has been made to produce a fair representation of performance, no representations or warranties are made as to the accuracy of the information presented, and no responsibility or liability can be accepted for damage caused by use of or reliance on the information contained within this report. Information about PRI grades is sourced entirely from PRI and Renaissance makes no representations, warranties or opinions based on that information.