IQ EQ Low Carbon Equity Fund

SRI Style:

Environmental Style

SDR Labelling:

Not eligible to use label

Product:

SICAV/Offshore

Fund Region:

Global

Fund Asset Type:

Equity

Launch Date:

01/04/2018

Last Amended:

Jun 2022

Dialshifter ():

Fund Size:

£m

ISIN:

IE00BHPGB640, IE00BHPGB756, IE00BD25K032, IE00BD25JZ13

Sustainable, Responsible
&/or ESG Overview:

No response when requested information from fund manager (August 2024)

 

The ‘Fund’ invests in high quality companies which demonstrate a high level of adaptation to climate change risks and opportunities, using a blend of quantitative and fundamental-based investment approaches.

 

We believe climate change will have an enormous societal and economic impact over the coming decades. Companies who embrace the investment opportunities afforded by this transition and avoid the associated risks offer a significant investment opportunity in the future.

 

The Fund aims to invest across major transformative themes, namely; clean technology, renewable energy, energy efficiency, low carbon leadership and a sustainable financial system. Stocks which conform to these themes, subject to assessment of their investment quality and climate change credentials, are considered for investment (using a proprietary research methodology). The resulting portfolio is a high conviction 40-60 stock portfolio of climate change leaders.

Primary fund last amended:

Jun 2022

Information directly from fund manager.

Fund Filters

Sustainability - General
Sustainability policy

Funds that have policies that consider (environmental and social) sustainability issues. Strategies vary but are likely to consider environmental issues like climate change, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, resource management, environmental impacts; and social issues like equal opportunities, human rights, labour standards, diversity and adherence to internationally recognised codes. See fund information.

Sustainability focus

Find funds which substantially focus on sustainability issues

Sustainability theme or focus

Find funds where there is a significant emphasis on (environmental and social) sustainability. Funds with a 'sustainability theme' typically place more emphasis on the area than funds with a 'sustainability policy' - meaning that it is more likely to drive investment selection. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Sustainable transport policy or theme

Find funds that have documented policies or thematic investment approaches relating to investment in more sustainable, greener transport methods. These will typically set out a preference for companies that run, enable or support more sustainable methods of transport. See fund information for further detail.

Encourage more sustainable practices through stewardship

A core element of these funds aim to encourage higher sustainability standards across business practices through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity

Environmental - General
Environmental policy

Funds that have policies which relate to environmental issues. These will typically set out the fund's stance on issues such as pollution, climate change, resource management, biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, plastics and/or additional environmental impacts. Strategies vary. See fund information for further information.

Limits exposure to carbon intensive industries

Funds that limit or 'reduce' their exposure to carbon intensive industries (ie sectors which are major contributors to climate change. Funds vary - some funds may be 'underweight' in this area which means they may have some investment in highly carbon intensive areas. Funds of this kind may choose companies they consider to be 'best in sector' and encourage ever higher standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further details.

Resource efficiency policy or theme

Find funds that have a policy or theme that relates to managing natural resources more efficiently. Funds with this policy will be likely to favour companies that make (or enable the) more efficient use of resources - and either avoid or encourage change amongst companies with lower standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Favours cleaner, greener companies

Funds that aim to invest in companies with strong or market leading environmental policies and practices. Strategies vary - in particular the balance between 'financial' aspects and environmental benefits. Some may invest substantially in solutions or 'positive impact' companies - others may invest in more conventional companies providing certain environmental criteria are met. See fund information for further detail.

Climate Change & Energy
Climate change / greenhouse gas emissions policy

Funds that have policies (documented strategies that explain their position on) climate change related issues such as greenhouse gas/carbon emissions, net zero, transitioning to lower carbon. Strategies vary. Read fund details for further information.

Coal, oil & / or gas majors excluded

Funds that avoid investing in major coal, oil and/or gas (extraction) companies. Funds vary: some may exclude all companies that extract oil. Others may have exposure to oil extraction via more diversified energy companies. See fund literature to confirm details.

Arctic drilling exclusion

Funds that avoid companies that are involved in extracting oil from the Arctic regions. See fund literature for further details.

Fossil fuel reserves exclusion

Funds that avoid investing in companies with coal, oil and gas reserves. See fund information for further details.

Clean / renewable energy theme or focus

Find funds where investment in clean / renewable energy companies an other assets is central to their investment selection strategy. The proportion of the fund that is directly or indirectly invested in renewable energy varies between funds and over time. See fund information for further details.

Encourage transition to low carbon through stewardship activity

A core element of these funds will aim to encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity

Energy efficiency theme

Fund funds that have an energy efficiency theme - typically meaning that a fund manager is focused on investing in organisations that manage - or help others to manage - energy use more carefully and less wastefully - and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Invests in clean energy / renewables

Funds that hold companies in the clean energy and renewable energy sectors (at the time research was supplied). Fund strategies vary, in particular the proportion of investment in these areas may vary significantly. Check fund literature for details.

Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Ethical policies

Find funds that have policies that set out their position on ethical or 'personal values' based issues. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Tobacco and related product manufacturers excluded

Companies are excluded if they are involved in any aspect of the production chain for tobacco products, including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.

Armaments manufacturers avoided

Find funds that avoid companies that manufacture products intended specifically for military use. Fund strategies vary - particularly with regard to non-strategic military products. See fund literature for fund specific details.

Alcohol production excluded

Find funds that avoid investment in companies involved in the production of alcohol. Strategies vary; some funds allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund literature for further information.

Gambling avoidance policy

Find funds that avoid companies with significant involvement in the gambling industry. Some funds may allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund policy for further details.

Pornography avoidance policy

Find funds that avoid companies that derive significant income from pornography and related areas. Strategies vary. See fund details for further information.

Human Rights
Human rights policy

Find funds that have policies relating to human rights issues. Funds of this kind typically require companies to demonstrate higher standards, although some fund managers work to encourage improvements. Investee companies are often judged against internationally agreed norms or standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Child labour exclusion

Find funds that have policies in place to ensure they do not invest in companies that employ children.

Governance & Management
Avoids companies with poor governance

Find funds that aim to avoid investing in companies with poor governance practices.(e.g. board structure, management practices etc.) Views may however vary on what counts as 'poor' practices - and funds may not immediately divest as they may prefer to work to encourage higher standards. See fund literature for further information.

UN sanctions exclusion

Exclude companies that are subject to United Nations sanctions. See eg https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list

Encourage board diversity e.g. gender

Fund managers encourage the companies they invest in to have more diverse board structures (e.g. more women on boards)

Encourage higher ESG standards through stewardship activity

A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity

Fund Governance
Employ external (fund) oversight or advisory committee

Find funds that have an external committee that helps steer or advise fund managers on SRI policy or strategy related issues. These people may be paid for their time but are not employees of the fund manager.

ESG integration strategy

Find funds that factor in 'environmental, social and governance' issues as part of their investment decision making process. A focus on 'ESG' typically means a fund is carrying out additional research to help reduce ESG related risks. It does not necessarily mean a focus on sustainability. Strategies vary. See fund literature.

Asset Size
Invests in small, mid and large cap companies / assets

Find a fund that invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational)companies.

Targeted Positive Investments
Invests >25% of fund in environmental/social solutions companies

Find funds that invest >25% of their capital towards companies where a major part of their business is focused on helping to address environmental or social challenges.

Invests >50% of fund in environmental/social solutions companies

Find funds that invest >50% of their capital in companies where a major part of their business is focused on helping to address environmental or social challenges.

Impact Methodologies
Aims to generate positive impacts (or 'outcomes')

Funds that aim to help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.

Measures positive impacts

Funds that aim to measure the positive real world environmental and / or social benefits that are associated with their investment strategy. Funds that aim to deliver positive impacts and measure those impacts may be referred to as 'impact funds' - although impact measurement is not restricted to impact funds. Strategies vary. See fund information.

Positive environmental impact theme

Find funds that specifically set out to help deliver positive environmental impacts, benefits or 'real world' outcomes.

Invests in environmental solutions companies

Find funds that direct investment towards companies where a major part of their business is about solving environmental challenges. e.g. companies helping to address climate change.

Invests in sustainability / ESG disruptors

Find funds that specifically set out to invest in companies that are regarded as 'disrupting' existing business practices - typically through the development of innovative (sustainability aware) products and/or practices.

How The Fund Works
Positive selection bias

Find funds that focus on finding and investing in companies with positive / beneficial attributes. This strategy can be applied in addition to exclusion criteria and engagement/stewardship activity.

Negative selection bias

Find funds where their main 'ethical approach' is to avoid companies by using negative screening criteria. Read fund literature for further information.

Combines ESG strategy with other SRI criteria

Find funds that have an ESG strategy (which is typically focused on avoiding companies that pose environmental, social or governance related risks) with additional criteria such as positive and/or negative screens, themes and stewardship strategies.

SRI / ESG / Ethical policies explained on website

Find funds that have published explanations of their ethical, social and/or environmental policies online (i.e. fund decision making strategies/ buy/sell &/or asset management strategies).

Intended Clients & Product Options
Intended for investors interested in sustainability

Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in sustainability issues.

Faith friendly

Find funds that have attributes that commonly suit the aims of investors of faith - although they may not be specifically marketed as being only for religious investors. Strategies vary (as do investor aims). Read fund literature for further information.

Labels & Accreditations
SFDR Article 8 fund / product (EU)

Finds funds classified under Article 8 of the EU’s SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Requirements). Article 8 of the SFDR is a set of requirements that apply to financial products that 'promote' environmental or social characteristics with high governance also. These rules do not currently apply to UK funds so many managers may leave this field blank.

Fund Management Company Information

About The Business
Boutique / specialist fund management company

Find fund management companies that are smaller or specialise in particular areas - notably, ideally ESG related. Strategies vary.

Responsible ownership / stewardship policy or strategy (AFM company wide)

Finds fund management companies that have a published company wide stewardship, engagement and / or responsible ownership policy or strategy that covers all investments. Stewardship typically involves encouraging higher ESG standards through voting and dialogue.

ESG / SRI engagement (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that actively encourage higher 'environmental, social and governance' and/or 'sustainable and responsible investment' practices across investee companies - typically where the aim is to encourage positive change that is aligned with the best interests of investors. Strategies vary. See additional information and options.

Vote all* shares at AGMs / EGMs (AFM company wide)

Find fund managers that vote all* the shares they own at Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings. A commitment to voting shares is a key indicator of 'responsible share ownership' demonstrating their support for or disagreement with management policy. (*situations can legitimately, occasionally occur where voting proves impossible, but in principle all shares should be voted.)

Responsible ownership / ESG a key differentiator (AFM company wide)

Find fund managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.

Responsible ownership policy for non SRI funds (AFM company wide)

Find funds run by fund managers that apply Responsible ownership or 'Stewardship' policies to all or most of their investment assets. This means active involvement (e.g. voting, dialogue) with the companies they invest in across funds (not normally limited to ethical or SRI options.) Read fund literature for further information.

Integrates ESG factors into all / most (AFM) fund research

Find fund management companies that consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when deciding whether or not to invest in a company for all / almost all of their funds and other assets. This is increasingly seen as part of sound risk management.

In-house diversity improvement programme (AFM company wide)

Finds organisations / fund managers that have an in-house (company wide) diversity improvement programme - meaning that they are working to ensure that within their own businesses they employ people from diverse backgrounds - often typically focused on ethnicity and/or sex.

Diversity, equality & inclusion engagement policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that encourage the companies they invest in to have strong diversity, race, gender and other equality policies across all assets held, not simply screened or themed SRI/ESG funds. (ie Asset Management company wide).

Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory

Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.

Resources
Use specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability research companies

Find fund management companies that makes use of expert external research companies. This can help deliver specialist expertise and means resources are pooled with other investors.

Accreditations
PRI A+ rated (AFM company wide)

Finds organisations / fund managers that have an A+ PRI rating - meaning they are highly rated according to the 'Principles of Responsible Investment'

Company Wide Exclusions
Review(ing) carbon / fossil fuel exposure for all funds (AFM company wide)

Find funds / fund managers that are reviewing, or have reviewed, their exposure to carbon intensive industries including (but not only) mining, oil and gas companies. (Typically with reference to climate change.)

Coal divestment policy (AFM company wide)

This asset manager has a strategy in place that will lead them to exit direct investments in the coal mining industry. Managers ability to do this may depend on the geographic regions in which they invest.

Coal exclusion policy (group wide coal mining exclusion policy)

This asset manager excludes direct investment in the coal mining industry. Managers ability to do this may depend on the geographic regions in which they invest.

Transparency
Publish full voting record (AFM company wide)

Fund management companies that publish a full record of how they vote their shares at AGMs (annual general meetings) and EGMs (extraordinary general meetings). Voting strategies have an important role to play encouraging higher environmental, social and governance standards.

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:

The Fund aims to promote a positive environmental impact by investing in companies which demonstrate a high level of adaptation to climate change risks and opportunities. This is achieved by creating what we believe is an optimal blend of thematic, exclusionary and climate change research approaches.

 

The Fund focuses on four primary investment themes which we believe capture the climate change opportunity set; namely;

 

  • Carbon Emissions Leadership: Companies which are lower carbon intensive by design and those who proactively invest in low carbon technologies to increase the carbon efficiency of their business. 
  • Clean Technology: Companies with broad exposure to technologies which provide solutions to environmental issues such as resource conservation, energy efficiency and pollution control.
  • Renewable Energy: Companies which proactively invest in renewable power generation such as solar, wind or alternative fuels.
  • Sustainable Financial System: companies which contribute to a climate-conscious allocation of capital. This may include financial exchanges, asset managers and financial technology companies.

 

The Fund does not invest in fossil fuel-related stocks by excluding those exposed to the exploration, extraction and burning of fossil fuels for profit.  Broadly speaking the Funds exploration, extraction and burning of fossil fuel- exclusions remove the Energy sector as well as some companies in the Utilities and Materials sectors from the investment universe. Additionally, the Fund removes stocks involved in controversial business areas, most notably; Weaponry, Human Rights Abuses, Labour Rights Abuses, Tobacco, Gambling, Adult Entertainment, and Alcohol.

 

A proprietary climate change research methodology is used to identify the best available opportunities within the themes identified. This methodology uses both quantitative and qualitative environmental data and is organized under three headings: performance, preparedness, and disclosure. Engagement is used to drive positive change on climate change issues at held companies. The positive environmental impact of the portfolio is measured and reported using a broad variety of environmental metrics.

Process:

The investment process begins with a bottom up strategy using a blend of a quantitative and fundamental-based methods, with the aim of investing in companies which offer a combinations of best-in-class ESG risk profiles and high investment quality, according to a proprietary definition. After eliminating controversial business areas, fundamental research and valuation work is conducted to arrive at a strategy that invests in 50-60 stocks.

 

The style is considered Quality with neither value or growth tilts and is benchmarked against the MSCI World Index. Position size is determined by a combination of the quality score, ESG rating and upside potential in the valuation. As long-term oriented investors, the typical holding period is 3-5 years. Portfolio active share of greater than 80% is targeted.

 

  • Market capitalisation: > €2Bn
  • Sector: +/- 10% relative to benchmark
  • Region: +/-10% for US and Europe, +/- 5% for Japan and Asia
  • Cash: typically 2%, max 10%
  • Position Size: max 10%

 

Risk management combines real-time and systematic monthly reporting systems and procedures developed by investment and independent risk teams to monitor portfolios, ensuring portfolios adhere to clients’ guidelines. Some of the measures monitored include tracking error, active share, beta, concentration, liquidity and volatility. In addition, the historical evolution of these metrics is shown, giving context to the current portfolio positioning. ESG performance is considered at a single stock level, and at a portfolio level.

 

The team have dedicated portfolio risk resources which monitor portfolios ensuring client guidelines are being adhered to. All portfolios are systematically reviewed during a monthly Portfolio Performance and Risk Review meeting involving the Head of Portfolio Risk, Chief Investment Officer (CIO)  and Portfolio Managers.

 

Pre-Investment: The firm uses Bloomberg’s Asset and Investment Manager (AIM) system for pre and post-trade compliance to ensure portfolios are consistent with investment guidelines. The AIM system allows the hardcoding of rules based on investment guidelines into the trading system. Pre-trade, Portfolio Managers are unable to generate trades which are in breach of hard coded investment guidelines.

 

Post-Investment: Portfolios are reviewed to verify they meet performance, risk and ESG targets and any deviations are dealt with swiftly and effectively. They are monitored in terms of tracking error, beta, active share, concentration risk, ESG and liquidity risk on a rolling monthly, quarterly and annual basis at meetings attended by the portfolio management and risk teams. In addition, through an independent third-party system ( Style Analytics), the tracking error can be decomposed according to benchmark risk, sector risk, regional risk, factor risk and stock specific risk.

 

Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:

In-house fundamental research is complimented with third party research (ESG, Sell-side, Alternative, Industry bodies), which is used to test assumptions and to act as an alternative point of view to mitigate confirmation bias. 

 

For example, detailed ESG research reports from MSCI ESG offer insights into material business risks and opportunities companies face and how they are being addressed. Importantly, MSCI offers alternative, non-financial data and analysis which can help to uncover long-term risks which may not be apparent through traditional financial data.

 

Engagement with companies is a vital part of our research process, allowing us to test assumptions of our fundamental research and to gain additional insights in company strategy and operations. Importantly, we also engage with companies to address the ESG risks faced by them, to gain a better understanding of those risks and how those risks are being managed. Proxy voting enhances our engagement activity by allowing us to express our views in a more direct and objective fashion than purely discourse-based engagement. We view Portfolio Managers as being best placed to make informed voting decisions and ensure that investment decisions, engagement and proxy voting decisions are aligned, however voting activity is reviewed on an annual basis by our Proxy Voting Committee, which includes our MD, CIO and Head of Portfolio Risk.

 

We appointed ISS as the independent proxy voting research provider in 2018 to enhance our engagement process. ISS provide proxy voting services including alerting us to upcoming corporate actions, recommending how to vote and then voting based on our instruction.

 

All third-party research is paid for by the firm.

 

We are affiliated with the following organizations.

  • UNPRI A+ rating for Strategy & Governance 2021
  • CDP member 2018
  • Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment. (Ireland founding member 2017) (2019 US Signatory)
  • International Endowments Network (2019 Member)

 

SDR Labelling: Not eligible to use label

Fund Name SRI Style SDR Labelling Product Region Asset Type Launch Date Last Amended

IQ EQ Low Carbon Equity Fund

Environmental Style Not eligible to use label SICAV/Offshore Global Equity 01/04/2018 Jun 2022

ISIN: IE00BHPGB640, IE00BHPGB756, IE00BD25K032, IE00BD25JZ13

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Overview

No response when requested information from fund manager (August 2024)

 

The ‘Fund’ invests in high quality companies which demonstrate a high level of adaptation to climate change risks and opportunities, using a blend of quantitative and fundamental-based investment approaches.

 

We believe climate change will have an enormous societal and economic impact over the coming decades. Companies who embrace the investment opportunities afforded by this transition and avoid the associated risks offer a significant investment opportunity in the future.

 

The Fund aims to invest across major transformative themes, namely; clean technology, renewable energy, energy efficiency, low carbon leadership and a sustainable financial system. Stocks which conform to these themes, subject to assessment of their investment quality and climate change credentials, are considered for investment (using a proprietary research methodology). The resulting portfolio is a high conviction 40-60 stock portfolio of climate change leaders.

Primary fund last amended: Jun 2022

Information received directly from Fund Manager

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Fund Filters

Sustainability - General
Sustainability policy

Funds that have policies that consider (environmental and social) sustainability issues. Strategies vary but are likely to consider environmental issues like climate change, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, resource management, environmental impacts; and social issues like equal opportunities, human rights, labour standards, diversity and adherence to internationally recognised codes. See fund information.

Sustainability focus

Find funds which substantially focus on sustainability issues

Sustainability theme or focus

Find funds where there is a significant emphasis on (environmental and social) sustainability. Funds with a 'sustainability theme' typically place more emphasis on the area than funds with a 'sustainability policy' - meaning that it is more likely to drive investment selection. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Sustainable transport policy or theme

Find funds that have documented policies or thematic investment approaches relating to investment in more sustainable, greener transport methods. These will typically set out a preference for companies that run, enable or support more sustainable methods of transport. See fund information for further detail.

Encourage more sustainable practices through stewardship

A core element of these funds aim to encourage higher sustainability standards across business practices through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity

Environmental - General
Environmental policy

Funds that have policies which relate to environmental issues. These will typically set out the fund's stance on issues such as pollution, climate change, resource management, biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, plastics and/or additional environmental impacts. Strategies vary. See fund information for further information.

Limits exposure to carbon intensive industries

Funds that limit or 'reduce' their exposure to carbon intensive industries (ie sectors which are major contributors to climate change. Funds vary - some funds may be 'underweight' in this area which means they may have some investment in highly carbon intensive areas. Funds of this kind may choose companies they consider to be 'best in sector' and encourage ever higher standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further details.

Resource efficiency policy or theme

Find funds that have a policy or theme that relates to managing natural resources more efficiently. Funds with this policy will be likely to favour companies that make (or enable the) more efficient use of resources - and either avoid or encourage change amongst companies with lower standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Favours cleaner, greener companies

Funds that aim to invest in companies with strong or market leading environmental policies and practices. Strategies vary - in particular the balance between 'financial' aspects and environmental benefits. Some may invest substantially in solutions or 'positive impact' companies - others may invest in more conventional companies providing certain environmental criteria are met. See fund information for further detail.

Climate Change & Energy
Climate change / greenhouse gas emissions policy

Funds that have policies (documented strategies that explain their position on) climate change related issues such as greenhouse gas/carbon emissions, net zero, transitioning to lower carbon. Strategies vary. Read fund details for further information.

Coal, oil & / or gas majors excluded

Funds that avoid investing in major coal, oil and/or gas (extraction) companies. Funds vary: some may exclude all companies that extract oil. Others may have exposure to oil extraction via more diversified energy companies. See fund literature to confirm details.

Arctic drilling exclusion

Funds that avoid companies that are involved in extracting oil from the Arctic regions. See fund literature for further details.

Fossil fuel reserves exclusion

Funds that avoid investing in companies with coal, oil and gas reserves. See fund information for further details.

Clean / renewable energy theme or focus

Find funds where investment in clean / renewable energy companies an other assets is central to their investment selection strategy. The proportion of the fund that is directly or indirectly invested in renewable energy varies between funds and over time. See fund information for further details.

Encourage transition to low carbon through stewardship activity

A core element of these funds will aim to encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity

Energy efficiency theme

Fund funds that have an energy efficiency theme - typically meaning that a fund manager is focused on investing in organisations that manage - or help others to manage - energy use more carefully and less wastefully - and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Invests in clean energy / renewables

Funds that hold companies in the clean energy and renewable energy sectors (at the time research was supplied). Fund strategies vary, in particular the proportion of investment in these areas may vary significantly. Check fund literature for details.

Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Ethical policies

Find funds that have policies that set out their position on ethical or 'personal values' based issues. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Tobacco and related product manufacturers excluded

Companies are excluded if they are involved in any aspect of the production chain for tobacco products, including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.

Armaments manufacturers avoided

Find funds that avoid companies that manufacture products intended specifically for military use. Fund strategies vary - particularly with regard to non-strategic military products. See fund literature for fund specific details.

Alcohol production excluded

Find funds that avoid investment in companies involved in the production of alcohol. Strategies vary; some funds allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund literature for further information.

Gambling avoidance policy

Find funds that avoid companies with significant involvement in the gambling industry. Some funds may allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund policy for further details.

Pornography avoidance policy

Find funds that avoid companies that derive significant income from pornography and related areas. Strategies vary. See fund details for further information.

Human Rights
Human rights policy

Find funds that have policies relating to human rights issues. Funds of this kind typically require companies to demonstrate higher standards, although some fund managers work to encourage improvements. Investee companies are often judged against internationally agreed norms or standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Child labour exclusion

Find funds that have policies in place to ensure they do not invest in companies that employ children.

Governance & Management
Avoids companies with poor governance

Find funds that aim to avoid investing in companies with poor governance practices.(e.g. board structure, management practices etc.) Views may however vary on what counts as 'poor' practices - and funds may not immediately divest as they may prefer to work to encourage higher standards. See fund literature for further information.

UN sanctions exclusion

Exclude companies that are subject to United Nations sanctions. See eg https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list

Encourage board diversity e.g. gender

Fund managers encourage the companies they invest in to have more diverse board structures (e.g. more women on boards)

Encourage higher ESG standards through stewardship activity

A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity

Fund Governance
Employ external (fund) oversight or advisory committee

Find funds that have an external committee that helps steer or advise fund managers on SRI policy or strategy related issues. These people may be paid for their time but are not employees of the fund manager.

ESG integration strategy

Find funds that factor in 'environmental, social and governance' issues as part of their investment decision making process. A focus on 'ESG' typically means a fund is carrying out additional research to help reduce ESG related risks. It does not necessarily mean a focus on sustainability. Strategies vary. See fund literature.

Asset Size
Invests in small, mid and large cap companies / assets

Find a fund that invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational)companies.

Targeted Positive Investments
Invests >25% of fund in environmental/social solutions companies

Find funds that invest >25% of their capital towards companies where a major part of their business is focused on helping to address environmental or social challenges.

Invests >50% of fund in environmental/social solutions companies

Find funds that invest >50% of their capital in companies where a major part of their business is focused on helping to address environmental or social challenges.

Impact Methodologies
Aims to generate positive impacts (or 'outcomes')

Funds that aim to help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.

Measures positive impacts

Funds that aim to measure the positive real world environmental and / or social benefits that are associated with their investment strategy. Funds that aim to deliver positive impacts and measure those impacts may be referred to as 'impact funds' - although impact measurement is not restricted to impact funds. Strategies vary. See fund information.

Positive environmental impact theme

Find funds that specifically set out to help deliver positive environmental impacts, benefits or 'real world' outcomes.

Invests in environmental solutions companies

Find funds that direct investment towards companies where a major part of their business is about solving environmental challenges. e.g. companies helping to address climate change.

Invests in sustainability / ESG disruptors

Find funds that specifically set out to invest in companies that are regarded as 'disrupting' existing business practices - typically through the development of innovative (sustainability aware) products and/or practices.

How The Fund Works
Positive selection bias

Find funds that focus on finding and investing in companies with positive / beneficial attributes. This strategy can be applied in addition to exclusion criteria and engagement/stewardship activity.

Negative selection bias

Find funds where their main 'ethical approach' is to avoid companies by using negative screening criteria. Read fund literature for further information.

Combines ESG strategy with other SRI criteria

Find funds that have an ESG strategy (which is typically focused on avoiding companies that pose environmental, social or governance related risks) with additional criteria such as positive and/or negative screens, themes and stewardship strategies.

SRI / ESG / Ethical policies explained on website

Find funds that have published explanations of their ethical, social and/or environmental policies online (i.e. fund decision making strategies/ buy/sell &/or asset management strategies).

Intended Clients & Product Options
Intended for investors interested in sustainability

Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in sustainability issues.

Faith friendly

Find funds that have attributes that commonly suit the aims of investors of faith - although they may not be specifically marketed as being only for religious investors. Strategies vary (as do investor aims). Read fund literature for further information.

Labels & Accreditations
SFDR Article 8 fund / product (EU)

Finds funds classified under Article 8 of the EU’s SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Requirements). Article 8 of the SFDR is a set of requirements that apply to financial products that 'promote' environmental or social characteristics with high governance also. These rules do not currently apply to UK funds so many managers may leave this field blank.

Fund Management Company Information

About The Business
Boutique / specialist fund management company

Find fund management companies that are smaller or specialise in particular areas - notably, ideally ESG related. Strategies vary.

Responsible ownership / stewardship policy or strategy (AFM company wide)

Finds fund management companies that have a published company wide stewardship, engagement and / or responsible ownership policy or strategy that covers all investments. Stewardship typically involves encouraging higher ESG standards through voting and dialogue.

ESG / SRI engagement (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that actively encourage higher 'environmental, social and governance' and/or 'sustainable and responsible investment' practices across investee companies - typically where the aim is to encourage positive change that is aligned with the best interests of investors. Strategies vary. See additional information and options.

Vote all* shares at AGMs / EGMs (AFM company wide)

Find fund managers that vote all* the shares they own at Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings. A commitment to voting shares is a key indicator of 'responsible share ownership' demonstrating their support for or disagreement with management policy. (*situations can legitimately, occasionally occur where voting proves impossible, but in principle all shares should be voted.)

Responsible ownership / ESG a key differentiator (AFM company wide)

Find fund managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.

Responsible ownership policy for non SRI funds (AFM company wide)

Find funds run by fund managers that apply Responsible ownership or 'Stewardship' policies to all or most of their investment assets. This means active involvement (e.g. voting, dialogue) with the companies they invest in across funds (not normally limited to ethical or SRI options.) Read fund literature for further information.

Integrates ESG factors into all / most (AFM) fund research

Find fund management companies that consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when deciding whether or not to invest in a company for all / almost all of their funds and other assets. This is increasingly seen as part of sound risk management.

In-house diversity improvement programme (AFM company wide)

Finds organisations / fund managers that have an in-house (company wide) diversity improvement programme - meaning that they are working to ensure that within their own businesses they employ people from diverse backgrounds - often typically focused on ethnicity and/or sex.

Diversity, equality & inclusion engagement policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that encourage the companies they invest in to have strong diversity, race, gender and other equality policies across all assets held, not simply screened or themed SRI/ESG funds. (ie Asset Management company wide).

Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory

Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.

Resources
Use specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability research companies

Find fund management companies that makes use of expert external research companies. This can help deliver specialist expertise and means resources are pooled with other investors.

Accreditations
PRI A+ rated (AFM company wide)

Finds organisations / fund managers that have an A+ PRI rating - meaning they are highly rated according to the 'Principles of Responsible Investment'

Company Wide Exclusions
Review(ing) carbon / fossil fuel exposure for all funds (AFM company wide)

Find funds / fund managers that are reviewing, or have reviewed, their exposure to carbon intensive industries including (but not only) mining, oil and gas companies. (Typically with reference to climate change.)

Coal divestment policy (AFM company wide)

This asset manager has a strategy in place that will lead them to exit direct investments in the coal mining industry. Managers ability to do this may depend on the geographic regions in which they invest.

Coal exclusion policy (group wide coal mining exclusion policy)

This asset manager excludes direct investment in the coal mining industry. Managers ability to do this may depend on the geographic regions in which they invest.

Transparency
Publish full voting record (AFM company wide)

Fund management companies that publish a full record of how they vote their shares at AGMs (annual general meetings) and EGMs (extraordinary general meetings). Voting strategies have an important role to play encouraging higher environmental, social and governance standards.

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:

The Fund aims to promote a positive environmental impact by investing in companies which demonstrate a high level of adaptation to climate change risks and opportunities. This is achieved by creating what we believe is an optimal blend of thematic, exclusionary and climate change research approaches.

 

The Fund focuses on four primary investment themes which we believe capture the climate change opportunity set; namely;

 

  • Carbon Emissions Leadership: Companies which are lower carbon intensive by design and those who proactively invest in low carbon technologies to increase the carbon efficiency of their business. 
  • Clean Technology: Companies with broad exposure to technologies which provide solutions to environmental issues such as resource conservation, energy efficiency and pollution control.
  • Renewable Energy: Companies which proactively invest in renewable power generation such as solar, wind or alternative fuels.
  • Sustainable Financial System: companies which contribute to a climate-conscious allocation of capital. This may include financial exchanges, asset managers and financial technology companies.

 

The Fund does not invest in fossil fuel-related stocks by excluding those exposed to the exploration, extraction and burning of fossil fuels for profit.  Broadly speaking the Funds exploration, extraction and burning of fossil fuel- exclusions remove the Energy sector as well as some companies in the Utilities and Materials sectors from the investment universe. Additionally, the Fund removes stocks involved in controversial business areas, most notably; Weaponry, Human Rights Abuses, Labour Rights Abuses, Tobacco, Gambling, Adult Entertainment, and Alcohol.

 

A proprietary climate change research methodology is used to identify the best available opportunities within the themes identified. This methodology uses both quantitative and qualitative environmental data and is organized under three headings: performance, preparedness, and disclosure. Engagement is used to drive positive change on climate change issues at held companies. The positive environmental impact of the portfolio is measured and reported using a broad variety of environmental metrics.

Process:

The investment process begins with a bottom up strategy using a blend of a quantitative and fundamental-based methods, with the aim of investing in companies which offer a combinations of best-in-class ESG risk profiles and high investment quality, according to a proprietary definition. After eliminating controversial business areas, fundamental research and valuation work is conducted to arrive at a strategy that invests in 50-60 stocks.

 

The style is considered Quality with neither value or growth tilts and is benchmarked against the MSCI World Index. Position size is determined by a combination of the quality score, ESG rating and upside potential in the valuation. As long-term oriented investors, the typical holding period is 3-5 years. Portfolio active share of greater than 80% is targeted.

 

  • Market capitalisation: > €2Bn
  • Sector: +/- 10% relative to benchmark
  • Region: +/-10% for US and Europe, +/- 5% for Japan and Asia
  • Cash: typically 2%, max 10%
  • Position Size: max 10%

 

Risk management combines real-time and systematic monthly reporting systems and procedures developed by investment and independent risk teams to monitor portfolios, ensuring portfolios adhere to clients’ guidelines. Some of the measures monitored include tracking error, active share, beta, concentration, liquidity and volatility. In addition, the historical evolution of these metrics is shown, giving context to the current portfolio positioning. ESG performance is considered at a single stock level, and at a portfolio level.

 

The team have dedicated portfolio risk resources which monitor portfolios ensuring client guidelines are being adhered to. All portfolios are systematically reviewed during a monthly Portfolio Performance and Risk Review meeting involving the Head of Portfolio Risk, Chief Investment Officer (CIO)  and Portfolio Managers.

 

Pre-Investment: The firm uses Bloomberg’s Asset and Investment Manager (AIM) system for pre and post-trade compliance to ensure portfolios are consistent with investment guidelines. The AIM system allows the hardcoding of rules based on investment guidelines into the trading system. Pre-trade, Portfolio Managers are unable to generate trades which are in breach of hard coded investment guidelines.

 

Post-Investment: Portfolios are reviewed to verify they meet performance, risk and ESG targets and any deviations are dealt with swiftly and effectively. They are monitored in terms of tracking error, beta, active share, concentration risk, ESG and liquidity risk on a rolling monthly, quarterly and annual basis at meetings attended by the portfolio management and risk teams. In addition, through an independent third-party system ( Style Analytics), the tracking error can be decomposed according to benchmark risk, sector risk, regional risk, factor risk and stock specific risk.

 

Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:

In-house fundamental research is complimented with third party research (ESG, Sell-side, Alternative, Industry bodies), which is used to test assumptions and to act as an alternative point of view to mitigate confirmation bias. 

 

For example, detailed ESG research reports from MSCI ESG offer insights into material business risks and opportunities companies face and how they are being addressed. Importantly, MSCI offers alternative, non-financial data and analysis which can help to uncover long-term risks which may not be apparent through traditional financial data.

 

Engagement with companies is a vital part of our research process, allowing us to test assumptions of our fundamental research and to gain additional insights in company strategy and operations. Importantly, we also engage with companies to address the ESG risks faced by them, to gain a better understanding of those risks and how those risks are being managed. Proxy voting enhances our engagement activity by allowing us to express our views in a more direct and objective fashion than purely discourse-based engagement. We view Portfolio Managers as being best placed to make informed voting decisions and ensure that investment decisions, engagement and proxy voting decisions are aligned, however voting activity is reviewed on an annual basis by our Proxy Voting Committee, which includes our MD, CIO and Head of Portfolio Risk.

 

We appointed ISS as the independent proxy voting research provider in 2018 to enhance our engagement process. ISS provide proxy voting services including alerting us to upcoming corporate actions, recommending how to vote and then voting based on our instruction.

 

All third-party research is paid for by the firm.

 

We are affiliated with the following organizations.

  • UNPRI A+ rating for Strategy & Governance 2021
  • CDP member 2018
  • Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment. (Ireland founding member 2017) (2019 US Signatory)
  • International Endowments Network (2019 Member)

 

SDR Labelling: Not eligible to use label