Guideline for Ethically-Sustainable Investment in the German Protestant Church

Socially compatible, ecological and fair towards other generations

For anyone wanting to invest their money sustainably and in keeping with Christian values, it is often hard to find their way through the non-transparent financial system. The guideline, commissioned by the EKD Council, aims to offer orientation to both church investors and private persons. 

It gives detailed information and points to criteria for ethical, sustainable investment on the basis of Christian values. The guideline was drawn up by the Working Group of Church Investors (AKI) and has now appeared in its fifth, completely revised and supplemented edition.

Safe, economically efficient and ethically sustainable monetary investment

Church investors have a responsibility to invest their money not only efficiently, but also in an ecologically sustainable, socially compatible and intergenerationally equitable manner. Consequently, deciding on where to invest money means having to consider not only the safety and profitability of the investment but also its impact on other people and the environment.

The guideline explains these basic ideas in an easy-to-understand way, shedding light on how appropriate investment options can be found with the aid of both positive and exclusionary criteria.

All five chapters of the document have been revised and adapted to current opportunities for sustainable investment, including the chapter on climate strategy. This also takes into account the EKD’s climate change mitigation policy, according to which all asset investments must consider their impacts on the climate. A glossary of technical terms and a new, comprehensive check list of the guideline’s criteria and indicators will be useful aids for taking decisions.

Whom does this paper seek to address? 

  • Church institutions
  • Societal institutions
  • Workers in the banking business
  • Private persons

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Publikationsteaser - EKD Text 113 EN
©EKD

Guideline for Ethically-Sustainable Investment in the German Protestant Church

How can money be invested with such ethical responsibility as to promote sustainability – both ecologically and with fairness to other generations? This guideline produced by the Working Group of Church Investors makes ethically founded recommendations. In addition, it provides not only church and public investors but also private individuals with criteria by which they can choose investment options on the basis of Christian values.

Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland, 2023