What are European ESG investment funds?

European ESG investment funds are mutual funds or ETFs domiciled in Europe that integrate environmental, social, and governance criteria into their investment process, often complying with EU regulations like SFDR.

Why invest in European ESG funds specifically?

European ESG funds are subject to some of the world's strictest ESG disclosure and sustainability standards, such as the EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), offering greater transparency and accountability.

How are the top European ESG funds selected?

Top funds are typically selected based on a combination of ESG ratings, fund size, historical performance, management quality, and adherence to regulatory classifications such as SFDR Article 8 or Article 9.

Do European ESG funds sacrifice returns for sustainability?

Many studies show that European ESG funds can offer competitive risk-adjusted returns, though past performance is not a guarantee; specific fund selection and market conditions remain key factors.

What is the SFDR and how does it affect ESG funds?

The SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation) is an EU regulation requiring funds to classify as Article 6 (non-ESG), Article 8 (promoting ESG characteristics), or Article 9 (sustainable investment objective), increasing transparency for investors.

Top 10 European ESG Investment Funds

Top 10 European ESG Investment Funds | Top10Grid

1. Nordea 1 Global Climate and Environment Fund — Managed by Nordea Asset Management with EUR 14.8B in AUM, this Article 9 SFDR fund focuses on companies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. It has delivered annualised returns of ~9% over five years while maintaining a carbon footprint 70% below its benchmark.
2. iShares MSCI Europe ESG Enhanced UCITS ETF — BlackRock's EUR 8.2B flagship European ESG ETF tracks the MSCI Europe ESG Enhanced Focus index, applying best-in-class ESG screening and excluding controversial weapons, tobacco, and thermal coal. It is one of the most traded ESG ETFs on European exchanges.
3. Pictet Global Environmental Opportunities — Geneva-based Pictet Asset Management runs this EUR 7.1B thematic fund investing exclusively in companies whose revenues derive from environmental solutions. With a 10-year track record and Article 9 classification, it is a benchmark for impact-oriented European investors.
4. Triodos Global Equities Impact Fund — Dutch ethical bank Triodos manages this EUR 2.4B impact fund, investing only in listed companies that demonstrably contribute to social and environmental solutions. Every holding undergoes a rigorous positive impact assessment alongside traditional financial analysis.
5. Robeco Sustainable Global Stars Equities — Rotterdam-based Robeco manages EUR 5.3B in this Article 8 fund that integrates ESG factors across a concentrated 40-60 stock global equity portfolio. Robeco is a pioneer in sustainability research, publishing annual ESG Country Rankings used by institutional investors worldwide.
6. BNP Paribas Easy ESG Leaders World UCITS ETF — BNP Paribas Asset Management's EUR 4.6B passive ESG vehicle tracks the MSCI World ESG Leaders index, offering broad developed-market exposure with ESG integration at low cost. It is classified Article 8 under SFDR and excludes companies failing minimum ESG thresholds.
7. Amundi MSCI Europe SRI PAB UCITS ETF — Europe's largest asset manager, Amundi, offers this EUR 3.9B ETF aligning with the EU Paris-Aligned Benchmark (PAB) standard, targeting a 50% lower carbon intensity than the parent index and a 7% annual decarbonisation trajectory. A cost-effective tool for institutional ESG mandates.
8. HSBC MSCI Europe Climate Paris Aligned UCITS ETF — HSBC Asset Management's EUR 2.1B ETF follows the MSCI Europe Climate Paris Aligned index, combining ESG scoring with science-based decarbonisation targets. It overweights green revenue companies and underweights high-emitters relative to the broad European market.
9. DWS Invest ESG Equity Income LD — DWS Group, Deutsche Bank's EUR 933B asset management arm, runs this EUR 1.7B income-focused Article 8 fund combining ESG screening with a dividend yield strategy. It targets European companies with sustainable dividend policies and low ESG controversy scores.
10. Xtrackers MSCI Europe ESG UCITS ETF — DWS's passive arm Xtrackers manages EUR 1.4B in this broad European ESG index tracker, applying MSCI ESG ratings to select the top 50% of European large- and mid-cap companies by ESG score. Low cost (TER 0.12%) makes it a gateway ESG product for retail investors.

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#1
Nordea 1 Global Climate and Environment Fund
Managed by Nordea Asset Management with EUR 14.8B in AUM, this Article 9 SFDR fund focuses on companies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. It has delivered annualised returns of ~9% over five years while maintaining a carbon footprint 70% below its benchmark.
Nordea Asset Management Morningstar Nordea Asset Management
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#2
iShares MSCI Europe ESG Enhanced UCITS ETF
BlackRock's EUR 8.2B flagship European ESG ETF tracks the MSCI Europe ESG Enhanced Focus index, applying best-in-class ESG screening and excluding controversial weapons, tobacco, and thermal coal. It is one of the most traded ESG ETFs on European exchanges.
BlackRock iShares Morningstar BlackRock iShares
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#3
Pictet Global Environmental Opportunities
Geneva-based Pictet Asset Management runs this EUR 7.1B thematic fund investing exclusively in companies whose revenues derive from environmental solutions. With a 10-year track record and Article 9 classification, it is a benchmark for impact-oriented European investors.
Pictet Asset Management Morningstar Pictet Asset Management
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
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#4
Triodos Global Equities Impact Fund
Dutch ethical bank Triodos manages this EUR 2.4B impact fund, investing only in listed companies that demonstrably contribute to social and environmental solutions. Every holding undergoes a rigorous positive impact assessment alongside traditional financial analysis.
Triodos Investment Management Morningstar Triodos Investment Management
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
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#5
Robeco Sustainable Global Stars Equities
Rotterdam-based Robeco manages EUR 5.3B in this Article 8 fund that integrates ESG factors across a concentrated 40-60 stock global equity portfolio. Robeco is a pioneer in sustainability research, publishing annual ESG Country Rankings used by institutional investors worldwide.
Robeco Morningstar Robeco
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
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#6
BNP Paribas Easy ESG Leaders World UCITS ETF
BNP Paribas Asset Management's EUR 4.6B passive ESG vehicle tracks the MSCI World ESG Leaders index, offering broad developed-market exposure with ESG integration at low cost. It is classified Article 8 under SFDR and excludes companies failing minimum ESG thresholds.
BNP Paribas Asset Management JustETF BNP Paribas Asset Management
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
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#7
Amundi MSCI Europe SRI PAB UCITS ETF
Europe's largest asset manager, Amundi, offers this EUR 3.9B ETF aligning with the EU Paris-Aligned Benchmark (PAB) standard, targeting a 50% lower carbon intensity than the parent index and a 7% annual decarbonisation trajectory. A cost-effective tool for institutional ESG mandates.
Amundi JustETF Amundi ETF
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
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#8
HSBC MSCI Europe Climate Paris Aligned UCITS ETF
HSBC Asset Management's EUR 2.1B ETF follows the MSCI Europe Climate Paris Aligned index, combining ESG scoring with science-based decarbonisation targets. It overweights green revenue companies and underweights high-emitters relative to the broad European market.
HSBC Asset Management JustETF HSBC Asset Management
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
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#9
DWS Invest ESG Equity Income LD
DWS Group, Deutsche Bank's EUR 933B asset management arm, runs this EUR 1.7B income-focused Article 8 fund combining ESG screening with a dividend yield strategy. It targets European companies with sustainable dividend policies and low ESG controversy scores.
DWS Morningstar DWS Funds
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
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#10
Xtrackers MSCI Europe ESG UCITS ETF
DWS's passive arm Xtrackers manages EUR 1.4B in this broad European ESG index tracker, applying MSCI ESG ratings to select the top 50% of European large- and mid-cap companies by ESG score. Low cost (TER 0.12%) makes it a gateway ESG product for retail investors.
MSCI JustETF Xtrackers by DWS
3
source: wikipedia Get it →

0
#1
Nordea 1 Global Climate and Environment Fund
Managed by Nordea Asset Management with EUR 14.8B in AUM, this Article 9 SFDR fund focuses on companies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. It has delivered annualised returns of ~9% over five years while maintaining a carbon footprint 70% below its benchmark.
Nordea Asset Management Morningstar Nordea Asset Management
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#2
iShares MSCI Europe ESG Enhanced UCITS ETF
BlackRock's EUR 8.2B flagship European ESG ETF tracks the MSCI Europe ESG Enhanced Focus index, applying best-in-class ESG screening and excluding controversial weapons, tobacco, and thermal coal. It is one of the most traded ESG ETFs on European exchanges.
BlackRock iShares Morningstar BlackRock iShares
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#3
Pictet Global Environmental Opportunities
Geneva-based Pictet Asset Management runs this EUR 7.1B thematic fund investing exclusively in companies whose revenues derive from environmental solutions. With a 10-year track record and Article 9 classification, it is a benchmark for impact-oriented European investors.
Pictet Asset Management Morningstar Pictet Asset Management
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#4
Triodos Global Equities Impact Fund
Dutch ethical bank Triodos manages this EUR 2.4B impact fund, investing only in listed companies that demonstrably contribute to social and environmental solutions. Every holding undergoes a rigorous positive impact assessment alongside traditional financial analysis.
Triodos Investment Management Morningstar Triodos Investment Management
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#5
Robeco Sustainable Global Stars Equities
Rotterdam-based Robeco manages EUR 5.3B in this Article 8 fund that integrates ESG factors across a concentrated 40-60 stock global equity portfolio. Robeco is a pioneer in sustainability research, publishing annual ESG Country Rankings used by institutional investors worldwide.
Robeco Morningstar Robeco
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#6
BNP Paribas Easy ESG Leaders World UCITS ETF
BNP Paribas Asset Management's EUR 4.6B passive ESG vehicle tracks the MSCI World ESG Leaders index, offering broad developed-market exposure with ESG integration at low cost. It is classified Article 8 under SFDR and excludes companies failing minimum ESG thresholds.
BNP Paribas Asset Management JustETF BNP Paribas Asset Management
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#7
Amundi MSCI Europe SRI PAB UCITS ETF
Europe's largest asset manager, Amundi, offers this EUR 3.9B ETF aligning with the EU Paris-Aligned Benchmark (PAB) standard, targeting a 50% lower carbon intensity than the parent index and a 7% annual decarbonisation trajectory. A cost-effective tool for institutional ESG mandates.
Amundi JustETF Amundi ETF
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#8
HSBC MSCI Europe Climate Paris Aligned UCITS ETF
HSBC Asset Management's EUR 2.1B ETF follows the MSCI Europe Climate Paris Aligned index, combining ESG scoring with science-based decarbonisation targets. It overweights green revenue companies and underweights high-emitters relative to the broad European market.
HSBC Asset Management JustETF HSBC Asset Management
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#9
DWS Invest ESG Equity Income LD
DWS Group, Deutsche Bank's EUR 933B asset management arm, runs this EUR 1.7B income-focused Article 8 fund combining ESG screening with a dividend yield strategy. It targets European companies with sustainable dividend policies and low ESG controversy scores.
DWS Morningstar DWS Funds
3
source: wikipedia Get it →
0
#10
Xtrackers MSCI Europe ESG UCITS ETF
DWS's passive arm Xtrackers manages EUR 1.4B in this broad European ESG index tracker, applying MSCI ESG ratings to select the top 50% of European large- and mid-cap companies by ESG score. Low cost (TER 0.12%) makes it a gateway ESG product for retail investors.
MSCI JustETF Xtrackers by DWS
3
source: wikipedia Get it →