fi
FI
Finland
en-FI
fi_intm_classes
intm
Intermediary
en
en
For use by professional clients and/or equivalent investor types in your jurisdiction (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients).
Aerial view of Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica

Insights

Is the world on track for a more sustainable future?

At Columbia Threadneedle, we believe that understanding sustainability trends and the interactions between people and planet is fundamental to identifying future investment opportunities. Using a deep and grounded research-based approach, and through our ongoing engagement, we consider how environmental, social and wider factors are shaping the companies and industries we invest in.

Alongside our work on specific sustainability themes, we also make use of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG framework provides us with a consistent way of assessing our investments and engagements alongside the global sustainable development agenda, enabling us to have a deeper and more holistic view.

With under five years left until the ‘2030 Agenda’ was meant to have been achieved, we set out here our perspective on how the world is progressing toward the goals, and how this relates to Columbia Threadneedle’s investment activities and engagement.

What are the SDGs and why are they relevant?

The SDGs, were developed in 2015 by the UN and endorsed by all 193 member states. With input from industry, finance, and NGOs into the creation of the Framework, they have been widely adopted as a common language for companies, investors and other stakeholders alike, since coming into force in 2016.

The SDGs set out a roadmap towards a more sustainable global economy and society by 2030 – i.e. the ‘2030 Agenda’. There are 17 high level goals, and each goal has a set of targets setting out specific objectives to achieve the goal, with 169 targets in total. The targets then have 230 underlying indicators, on which global progress is tracked annually by the UN.

We face a global development emergency…The Sustainable Development Goals remain within reach, but only if we act decisively and act now. Together, we can still build the sustainable future everyone, everywhere, deserves.

Download the full viewpoint

The broad adoption of the SDGs has been successful in creating a common language for a fairer, more sustainable world, and for tracking progress on global issues.

Given that we are close to the 2030 ‘deadline’ for achievement of the SDGs, there are questions about what comes next.

Key topics

Subscribe to insights

Get the most out of your email by tailoring the types of insights and information you would like to receive from us.

Latest articles

Understanding sustainability trends and the interactions between people and planet is fundamental to identifying future investment opportunities.
Welcome to our quarterly snapshot of current real estate market trends.
Europe is transforming, with new pockets of emerging quality. Amid rising capital barriers, our pragmatism allows us to identify industry leaders where value creation is strongest.
Key topics
Related topics

Important information:

For use by professional clients and/or equivalent investor types in your jurisdiction (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients). For marketing purposes. Your capital is at risk.

This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable.

The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in marketing and providing financial services to Australian wholesale clients as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

In UK Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited. Registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 573204, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, United Kingdom. Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In the EEA issued by Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A. Registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Societes (Luxembourg), Registered No. B 110242, 44, rue de la Vallée, L-2661 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

In Switzerland issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, Registered address: Claridenstrasse 41, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland.

This document is distributed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments (ME) Limited, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For Distributors: This document is intended to provide distributors’ with information about Group products and services and is not for further distribution. For Institutional Clients: The information in this document is not intended as financial advice and is only intended for persons with appropriate investment knowledge and who meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as a Professional Client or Market Counterparties and no other Person should act upon it.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

© 2026 Columbia Threadneedle. All rights reserved.

Related Insights

26 February 2026

Vicki Bakhshi

Director, Responsible Investment

The evolving landscape of climate investing

Climate change and the energy transition are multi-decadal themes that are shaping the world we live in, with wide-ranging implications for investors.
19 November 2025

Natalia Luna

Senior Investment Analyst, Sustainability Research

Vicki Bakhshi

Director, Responsible Investment

Evaluating the impact of the energy transition: Our systematic view of risks and opportunities

The energy transition is a global megatrend set to drive capital flows for decades to come. In a complex and fragmented political and policy environment, investors to understand the underlying economics.
14 November 2025

Natalia Luna

Senior Investment Analyst, Sustainability Research

Olivia Watson

Senior Analyst, Sustainable Research

AI growth: energy, emissions and water considerations

Artificial intelligence is hungry for power and thirsty for water. We discuss advances and innovations that could alleviate the problems and highlight related investment opportunities.
30 April 2026

Joanna Tano

Head of Research, European Real Estate

UK Real Estate: Talking Points April 2026

Welcome to our quarterly snapshot of current real estate market trends.
29 April 2026

Alex Landau

Client Portfolio Manager, European equities

Europe’s quality growth opportunity

Europe is transforming, with new pockets of emerging quality. Amid rising capital barriers, our pragmatism allows us to identify industry leaders where value creation is strongest.
28 April 2026

In Credit Weekly Snapshot – Down down

These are turbulent times for the UK, between the Iran war impacting energy prices, a constrained consumer and a political crisis that is weighing on gilts.

Important information:

For use by professional clients and/or equivalent investor types in your jurisdiction (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients). For marketing purposes. Your capital is at risk.

This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable.

The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in marketing and providing financial services to Australian wholesale clients as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

In UK Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited. Registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 573204, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, United Kingdom. Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In the EEA issued by Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A. Registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Societes (Luxembourg), Registered No. B 110242, 44, rue de la Vallée, L-2661 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

In Switzerland issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, Registered address: Claridenstrasse 41, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland.

This document is distributed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments (ME) Limited, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For Distributors: This document is intended to provide distributors’ with information about Group products and services and is not for further distribution. For Institutional Clients: The information in this document is not intended as financial advice and is only intended for persons with appropriate investment knowledge and who meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as a Professional Client or Market Counterparties and no other Person should act upon it.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

© 2026 Columbia Threadneedle. All rights reserved.

Thank you. You can now visit your preference centre to choose which insights you would like to receive by email.

To view and control which insights you receive from us by email, please visit your preference centre.

Woman listens to music through headphones
Play Video

CT Property Trust- Fund Manager Update

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium