Over the past years there has been some back and forth between UBS and Robeco. Now the two have joined forces to launch a sustainability fund. 

The investment company Robeco has launched a global engagement equities fund in partnership with UBS' global wealth management, according to a statement Thursday. UBS will remain an exclusive partner for the next six months and aims to invest $1.5 billion.

The fund has the sustainable investment objective to drive a clear and measurable improvement in a company's contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over three to five years, the statement says.

Forging Ties

Michiel Plakman is the fund’s lead portfolio manager, supported by Daniela da Costa, Peter van der Werf, Giacomo Moroni and Jan Anton van Zanten at Robeco.

Robeco is no stranger to UBS: The Swiss bank’s chief sustainability officer Michael Baldinger, was previously CEO of Robeco. Last year UBS teamed up with Zug-based asset management giant Partners Group, on a private market offering for wealthy clients.