From climate change and resource scarcity to ageing populations and strained healthcare systems, many of the world's most pressing challenges get daily attention. What receives far less coverage are the innovations and businesses working to address them.
For Philip Ripman, Portfolio Manager of Storebrand Global Solutions, that disconnect creates an important perspective for investors.
"The world is grappling with significant problems spanning from climate change to resource scarcity access to basic needs like food, education and healthcare, but the good news is that there are solutions. They just don't reach the headlines."
At a time when global challenges can feel overwhelmi
ng, Storebrand Global Solutions offers something different: the opportunity to put capital behind progress.
“Every investment is, in essence, a vote for the future”, Philip argues.
Fulled by informed optimism
The investment case for Storebrand Global Solutions is ultimately rooted in optimism. Not blind optimism, but confidence in the enduring power of human ingenuity.
“Major challenges have always stimulated innovations that solved them. The companies that develop and scale new solutions often shape the future and create significant value along the way. Our investment strategy focuses on businesses we believe can benefit from this dynamic and deliver value.”
While today's headlines may often feel dominated by crises, another story is quietly unfolding in parallel. The story of companies developing breakthrough technologies, building smarter cities, accelerating the energy transition, improving health outcomes, and expanding opportunities for millions of people.
“The world has no shortage of challenges. But there is no shortage of solutions either. And for investors who believe the future belongs to those who help solve problems, Storebrand Global Solutions offers a way to invest accordingly.”
Sustainability under scrutiny but missing the bigger picture
Sustainable investing has evolved significantly over the past decades. But the journey has not always been straightforward. In recent years, sustainability has faced growing scrutiny, particularly during periods when many oil and gas stocks outperformed, and global markets became more volatile. Some investors have even questioned whether sustainability can deliver competitive returns.
For Philip Ripman, however, that debate misses the bigger picture.
“Recent years have been challenging, but they have also shown why sustainable solutions matter. The world's fundamental challenges have not gone away. If anything, the need for climate solutions, resilient infrastructure, healthcare innovation, resource efficiency, and greater financial inclusion is more urgent than ever. While public sentiment and policy priorities will continue to vary, in the “new normal” of a volatile political environment and may change, the fundamental need ─ the strength of commercial demand for these solutions ─ remains strong”, says Ripman.
“I believe the tide is turning and that we are witnessing the seeds of a comeback. Hopefully, we have learned a few lessons along the way and can approach this moment less moralizing, less fear-driven, less naivety, and with a determination not to turn climate action into a left-versus-right issue"
He also emphasizes that the economic realities of climate change will become increasingly difficult to ignore.
Beyond the environmental and human consequences, extreme weather events carry growing costs for businesses, communities, and society as a whole.
“In many ways, failing to address these costs is like failing to pay down a loan: the liability does not disappear, it simply grows larger over time. Research has already shown that insurers are withdrawing coverage from properties exposed to significant climate risks, leaving homeowners, businesses, and local economies vulnerable. The risk is real, and the consequences can be devastating."
A vote of confidence in the future
The investment case for solutions investing is ultimately rooted in optimism. History shows that when societies face major challenges, entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, and businesses find new ways forward. The companies that lead these transformations often become defining success stories of their generation.
“Storebrand Global Solutions offers investors an opportunity to put capital behind what we believe could become one of these success stories. Every investment in the fund is, in many ways, vote of confidence in humans’ ability to shape the future. By investing in companies developing solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, we believe investors can participate in both positive change and long-term value creation."
The cable-laying vessel Leonardo da Vinci, owned by Prysmian, one of the companies in the portfolio, has deep water installation capabilities for depths of more than 3.000 meters. Photo: Prysmian
Through the conversation Philip keeps coming back to optimism.
“Being optimistic is a competitive advantage. Not because optimists ignore reality, but because they face it and embrace it. They see the challenges clearly but do not stop there. They focus on the solutions. Invest when others hesitate. They move forward when others doubt. I would like to believe our fund is the symbol of that", concludes Ripman.
Storebrand Global Solutions invests in companies that enable the transition to a more sustainable economy through renewable energy deployment, improved resource efficiency, healthcare innovation, water management, and digital infrastructure. These sectors represent some of the most important structural shifts taking place across the global economy.
Storebrand Global Solutions invests in companies that enable the transition to a more sustainable economy:
CATL is a leading battery company at the forefront of sodium ion batteries, reducing the need for critical minerals and lowering associated costs.
CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity company at the forefront of utilizing AI to combat attacks against laptops and servers.
Prysmian is the world's largest cable manufacturer, at the forefront of high-voltage subsea and land interconnectors that carry renewable power to where it's actually needed.
Xylem is a global water technology company at the forefront of smart metering and treatment systems that cut leakage and stretch scarce water supplies.
Nextpower is a solar technology company at the forefront of intelligent tracking systems that squeeze more energy out of every panel installed.
Aurubis is a multi-metal producer at the forefront of recycling copper and other critical metals from scrap and e-waste, reducing the need for new mining.
Gedeon Richter is a pharmaceutical company at the forefront of women's health and neuropsychiatry, developing treatments in areas that have long been underserved.
The fund is available on major platforms in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and the UK.
Disclaimer: This is marketing material intended for professional investors only and note that all investments involve risk. Historical returns are no guarantee of future performance, and the value of invested capital can both increase and decrease. Full information, including the fund prospectus and legal documentation, is available on our website or upon request.