Candriam Equities L Global Demography Fund
SRI Style:
Social Style
SDR Labelling:
Not eligible to use label
Product:
SICAV/Offshore
Fund Region:
Global
Fund Asset Type:
Equity
Launch Date:
02/01/2012
Last Amended:
Oct 2024
Dialshifter (
):
Fund Size:
£1481.79m
(as at: 31/05/2024)
Total Screened Themed SRI Assets:
£44400.46m
Total Responsible Ownership Assets:
£51607.60m
Total Assets Under Management:
£125342.06m
ISIN:
LU0654531341, LU1598288089, LU2346220564, LU2439121216
Contact Us:
Objectives:
Candriam Equities L Global Demography invests in global companies that are well positioned to benefit from worldwide demographic evolutions, with a market cap superior to 250 mio USD and mainly headquartered in a developed world country, as defined by MSCI. In a growing world with increasing purchasing power capacities and an increasing average life expectancy; several attractive investment themes can be put forward: increasing demand for scarce energy and raw materials through mining, infrastructure, agriculture or oil and gas, growing number of wealthy consumers through activities in luxury goods, household products and leisure or increasing demand for healthcare services for the elderly. The investment horizon is 6 years. The fund is managed actively, with reference to MSCI World (Net Return). For further information about this index and its use, please consult the fund’s key investor information document (KIID) which you can find on Candriam’s website.
Sustainable, Responsible
&/or ESG Overview:
The fund philosophy is to invest in companies mainly from developed countries and incidentally from emerging countries, which are well-positioned to benefit from global demographic changes expected in the coming years and which will have a major impact on the worldwide economy. For this thematic investment philosophy, we have developed a proprietary and conviction-based process to select new and established companies that will take advantage of the following powerful demographic megatrends:
- A growing world population
- An ageing world population
- A wealthier world population
The fund is classified article 8 SFDR and targets the two following KPI’s:
- KPI 1: targeting a carbon footprint lower than the benchmark
- KPI 2: targeting a global ESG score above the benchmark
Primary fund last amended:
Oct 2024
Information directly from fund manager.
Fund Filters
Sustainability - General
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.
A core element of these funds aim to encourage higher sustainability standards across business practices through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity
Find funds that use the UN Global Compact to inform or help direct where they can or cannot invest and will typically not invest in companies with significant breaches (low standards) - although strategies vary. (The UNGC covers a wide range of issues - search 'UNGC'). See https://unglobalcompact.org/
Find funds that specifically aim to invest (and manage assets) in ways that help to address all or some of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). See https://sdgs.un.org/goals).
Find funds that publicly report their performance against specifically named sustainability objectives (in addition to reporting their financial performance)
Environmental - General
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.
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.
Nature & Biodiversity
Find funds that have a written biodiversity policy or theme aimed at encouraging and improving environmental protection and safeguarding the natural world (sometimes referred to as the preservation or enhancement of 'natural capital'). See eg https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity
Climate Change & Energy
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.
A core element of these funds will aim to encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity
Fund has a supply chain decarbonisation policy which sets out its position on the need to reduce carbon emissions throughout the investment chain. This will inform where the manager can and can not invest.
Social / Employment
Find funds that have a labour standards policy - which can be expected to mean that the fund will invest in / favour companies that have higher standards in this area - although fund strategies can vary significantly (as with all policy areas). See eg https://www.ilo.org/international-labour-standards
Find funds that invest in line with positive strategies that relate to 'people' issues - such as having strong human rights, labour standards and equal opportunities practices. Such funds are likely to invest in companies that have market leading standards with regard to employee and supplier practices. Read fund literature for further information.
Find individual funds that have a written diversity policy – where the fund manager will aim to select companies with a carefully considered, sound approach to diversity. This should ideally cover a range of issues including gender, ethnicity, disability, beliefs, sexual orientation, etc.
Fund has a policy that explains their position on which mining companies they may or may not invest in. Typically this may mean only investing in assets with high environmental and social standards. This is a growing concern given demand for rare earth metals eg lithium, cobalt. See fund information.
Fund has a policy aimed at protecting vulnerable workers such as those on zero hour / informal contracts working in the gig economy
Ethical Values Led Exclusions
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.
Companies are excluded if they make more than 5% of their revenue from the manufacture, sale or distribution of tobacco products including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.
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.
Human Rights
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.
Find funds that have policies in place to ensure they do not invest in companies that employ children.
Find funds with policies that exclude companies or other assets where regimes are not democratic, or where people may be oppressed. May use eg. Freedom House research. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
The fund has a policy which sets out their position on the treatment of indigenous people by investee assets/companies - typically meaning they won't invest in companies with low standards.
The fund has a policy which excludes assets with involvement in Modern Slavery
The fund has a policy which sets out its position on LGBTQ+ related social issues and their expectations of investee assets - typically meaning they won't invest in companies with poor standards. See fund information.
Meeting Peoples' Basic Needs
Find funds with a thematic investment approach focusing on the ‘silver economy’ - in particular (typically) the issues and opportunities presented by changing demographics. This could include finance, healthcare and medicines and/ or longevity science to extend lifespans. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Gilts & Sovereigns
Find funds that do not invest in / exclude 'sovereigns' - debt issued by governments. See eg https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sovereign-debt.asp
Banking & Financials
Find funds that include banks as part of their holdings / portfolio.
Funds that do or may invest in insurance companies.
Governance & Management
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.
Find funds that have policies explaining how managers will respond to assets / companies that do not comply with relevant anti-bribery and anti-corruption standards or laws. Strategies vary; options include stewardship/ engagement and divestment - or a combination. See fund literature for further information.
Fund managers encourage the companies they invest in to have more diverse board structures (e.g. more women on boards)
A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity
Fund Governance
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
Find funds that invests more than half of their money into what are commonly regarded as 'large companies'. This will typically mean that the market capitalisation (or value) of the companies they hold is in excess of £5 to £10 billion.
Find a fund that invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational)companies.
Find funds that have SRI strategies and focus their investment stock selection on larger companies. (e.g. over circa £5-£10bn)
Impact Methodologies
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.
Find funds that specifically set out to help deliver positive environmental impacts, benefits or 'real world' outcomes.
Find funds that specifically state that they aim to deliver positive social (i.e. people related) impacts and/or outcomes.
Fund aims to deliver positive environmental and or social impacts (real world benefits) through its engagement with investee assets
50% of fund assets are regarded by the fund manager as being significantly focused on providing solutions to environmental or social challenges. Strategies vary.
How The Fund Works
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.
Find funds where their main 'ethical approach' is to avoid companies by using negative screening criteria. Read fund literature for further information.
Find funds that invest more heavily in those that have higher ESG ratings/standards or scores and less heavily in companies with lower ESG ratings. Where this is central to a fund's strategy you should expect it to invest in most sectors. Strategies vary.
Find funds that make significant use of internationally agreed 'norms' (e.g. United Nations Global Compact - UNGC - or the UN Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs) as part of their investment selection process alongside additional SRI criteria such as positive or negative stock selection policies and/or stewardship strategies.
Find funds that consider both the 'positive' and 'negative' aspects of company behaviour and make balanced, considered decisions as part of their investment approach. May apply to a range of different issues and policy areas.
Find funds that use internationally agreed standards, conventions and 'norms' to help direct where the fund can and cannot invest (e.g. the UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Development Goals). Read fund literature for further information.
A major focus of these funds is the careful management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) related risks - typically by avoiding or being underweight in companies seen as posing major risks in these areas (i.e. not necessarily by using themes, exclusions etc).
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).
Unscreened Assets & Cash
All assets held in the fund - except cash - meet the sustainability criteria published in fund documentation.
Intended Clients & Product Options
Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Finds those that offer an SRI / ESG portfolio option
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Find service providers who offer bespoke ('personalised') SRI / ESG portfolio options
Labels & Accreditations
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
Find fund management companies that are smaller or specialise in particular areas - notably, ideally ESG related. Strategies vary.
Find fund management companies (or subsidiaries) that specialise in - or focus entirely on - investing in assets that are helping to deliver positive environmental and / or social impacts.
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.
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.
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.)
Find fund managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.
Find fund management companies that take sustainability criteria into account when selecting and/or managing all of their property / real estate investments.
Find fund management companies that aim to align all their investments (across all funds) to help meet the aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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.
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.
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.
Asset management company has investments in bonds designed to meet sustainability requirements - however these assets may not be 'ringfenced' for this purpose. See fund manager website for details.
Fund management entity offers unstructured intermediary training on sustainable investment (ie for financial advisers and wealth managers)
Fund management entity offers unstructured intermediary training on sustainable investment (ie for financial advisers and wealth managers)
Collaborations & Affiliations
Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.
Find fund management companies that are members of UKSIF - the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance association
Fund management entity is a member of the Investment Association https://www.theia.org/
Resources
Find fund management companies that employ people to steer and support fund managers in voting shares at company AGM's and EGMs in ways that are consistent with encouraging higher ESG/sustainability standards.
Find a fund management company that directly employs specialist ESG/SRI/sustainability researchers or analysts. This allows asset managers to discuss environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities directly with 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.
Finds organisations / fund managers that have one or more ESG/sustainability experts on all investment teams or 'desks' (all asset types)
Accreditations
Finds organisations / fund managers that have an A+ PRI rating - meaning they are highly rated according to the 'Principles of Responsible Investment'
Engagement Approach
Find fund management companies that regularly initiate or run industry wide (collaborative) investor projects aimed at raising environmental, social and governance standards amongst investee companies.
Fund manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that is focused on addressing climate change with investee assets.
Asset manager has a stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that involves working with fossil fuel companies on climate change related issues. See fund manager website for details.
Asset manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy with involves encouraging investee asset to reduce plastic waste and pollution.
Asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place which aims to address human rights issues in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers) with the aim of raising standards
working with the assets they hold to help stamp out modern slavery - where direct or indirect company employees are exploited for business benefits.
Funds may use assets that are not directly aligned with sustainability objectives in order to help manage investment risk. Engaging for more sustainable options will aid alignment with fund objectives.
Working to address sustainability, ESG and related concerns around artificial intelligence.
Company Wide Exclusions
Find fund management companies (not funds) that avoid investment in 'controversial weapons' across all of their funds and other investment vehicles.
Find fund management companies that avoid investment in tobacco (manufacturing) companies across all their assets.
Find fund management companies that avoid investment in fossil fuel companies (e.g. coal, oil and gas) across all of their funds. (and/ or other assets.)
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.)
Climate & Net Zero Transition
Fund management organisations that have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’. Strategies vary - this area is changing rapidly.
Finds organisations / fund managers that have a company wide carbon transition plan - meaning that they have plotted a path to how they will move away from activities that produce or use carbon based energy sources (that emit greenhouse gases) towards clean, alternative, renewable energy sources.
Finds organisations / fund managers that have published ‘forward looking climate metrics’ e.g. 'implied temperature rise' data that are a total of the asset management company's share (% owned) of all the investee company emissions of the assets they manage, as well as their own direct and other indirect emissions.
Find fund management companies that are working to reduce their own (fund management company) carbon/greenhouse gas emissions.
Finds organisations / fund management companies that are in the process of working out how to make a ‘net zero commitment’ - meaning that when that is finalised they will have started the process of reducing their total greenhouse gas emissions to'zero'.
Transparency
Find fund management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.
Find companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.
Find fund management companies that will supply information about their sustainable and responsible investment activity on request.
Find fund management companies that have supplied Dialshifter information. See Dialshifter tab within record for more information.
Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:
In a first step, we reduce the investment universe by applying an ESG-filter based on controversial activities and the respect of the UN Global Compact principles.
Any companies exposed to the weapons industry are permanently excluded from the universe if they are involved in the production or sale of anti-personnel landmines, cluster bombs, depleted uranium, chemical, biological and nuclear weapons regardless of the sales/revenues derived from such products.
Candriam also excludes companies involved in white phosphorous weapons that derive more than 5% of their total sales/revenues from the production, manufacturing, trade, testing or maintenance of such weapons.
We also exclude all companies directly involved in the tobacco industry that derive more than 5% of their revenues from the manufacturing or retailing of tobacco products and all companies directly or indirectly involved in the thermal coal industry deriving more than 10% of their revenues from coal extraction or power generation from coal or developing new thermal coal projects. Gambling is also excluded as a controversial activity, applying a 5% revenue threshold.
Candriam also conducts a Norms-based Analysis to determine whether each company respects the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact that cover four main categories: Human Rights, Labour, Environment, and Anti-Corruption. Based on this Norms-based review, we possibly exclude companies which have significantly and repeatedly breached any of the principles of the United Nation’s Global Compact.
As for Demographic screening, we aim to identify those companies that generate at least 30% of their revenues from one or more of the following demographic long-term sub-themes: Rising demand for food, water & natural resources, Urbanisation, Environment, Healthcare, Healthier lifestyle, Retirement & savings, Emerging markets consumer, Evolving consumption trends (including digital). Starting from a high-level market classification, it’s clear some industry groups fit squarely into one of the 8 sub-thematics. Examples would be Health Care Equipment, Pharma, Automation or Electrical Equipment players within Cap goods, Semiconductor companies, Wealth Managers, Luxury Apparel amongst others. For other sectors thematic relevancy is less clear and stocks will be screened and analysed on an ad hoc basis. Both eventually create the total universe of names for the strategy.
Process:
The strategy uses a fundamental bottom-up investment process, comprising four steps:
- As a first step, we apply ESG exclusion to the investment universe. We exclude companies that have significantly and repeatedly violated one of the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, covering four main categories: Human Rights, Labour Rights, Environment, and Corruption. We also exclude companies that are involved in controversial weapons, Tobacco, and Thermal Coal.
- As a second step, we screen all companies on their exposure to key demographic trends. We reduce the investment universe to companies having at least 30% of sales exposure to key demographic long-term trends in one or more of a set of related sub-themes.
- In a third step, each company is assessed through a financial analysis according to five fundamental criteria: 1) quality of management, 2) business growth, 3) competitive advantage, 4) value creation and 5) financial leverage. ESG factors are integrated in our financial analysis and thus have an impact on the fundamental companies’ assessment. This fundamental analysis is completed by a valuation exercise to determine the intrinsic value of each stock and its upside potential.
- The 4th and last step is the portfolio construction. We build a conviction portfolio that targets between 50 to 70 companies with a buy and hold mind-set. We close the construction process with a top- down sanity check on sectors.
Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:
After first implementing a formal sustainability governance for the firm in 2020, we have further refined it to reflect changes within the firm but also to increase transparency vis-à-vis the investor:
- The Board of Directors is responsible for strategy and general policy. It ensures that Candriam has defined and implements a strategy in relation to ESG and corporate sustainability. In this context the Board is responsible for validating the relevant critical policies.
- The Candriam Board of Managementis Candriam’s key decision-making body on strategic issues including ESG and corporate sustainability. It examines and approves relevant sustainability policies, including those covering sustainability risks, climate and human rights.
- The Group Strategic Committee (GSC)sets out the strategic orientations for the firm’s ESG investing (both from a product and a commercial standpoint) and Corporate Sustainability, with sustainability focus-sessions supported by Candriam’s ESG and CSR experts. The GSC oversees the due diligence approach for Climate and Human Rights risks across the value chain, including the elaboration and review of appropriate policies.
ESG
- The Sustainability Risk Committee (SRC)oversees and steers the management of extra-financial risk in the context of Candriam’s investment activities. The SRC is responsible for approving the ESG processes and framework for funds and mandates. It assesses and monitors sustainability risks and negative sustainability impacts, including climate and human rights risks, and defines companywide ESG investment-restrictions for all Candriam investment activities. The SRC oversees monitoring of respect and breaches as well as Engagement actions plans.
- The Proxy Voting Committeeprovides strategic guidance on proxy voting best practices and monitors Candriam’s voting policy.
- The Client Solutions Committee (CSC)and Product Range Committee (PRC) are the main bodies of Candriam’s regular product governance. They steer & manage the product approval and review process, including the ESG/Sustainability characteristics of products & services.
- The ESG Steeringfollows-up on the implementation of the strategic ESG roadmap, and consists of investment, operational, IT and regulatory team workstreams.
CSR
- The CSR Ethics Committeeassesses & monitors human rights risks related to Candriam’s operations, incl Human Resources and Suppliers. It monitors the human rights due diligence process embedded within Candriam’s operations and follows up on issues alerted by operational, procurement or risk teams or via the Compliance whistleblowing procedure.
- The Candriam Institute for Sustainable Developmentoversees Candriam’s philanthropy and community impact program, through the support of initiatives in ESG research, education & entrepreneurship, social inclusion & solidarity, environment, and the fight against cancer.
- The CSR Steeringcoordinates the implementation of the CSR roadmap (incl. environmental & social aspects) and CSR reporting in the context of Candriam’s own operations, across staff, clients, operational value chain, governance and the community.
ESG + CSR
- The Sustainability Regulations Committeeoversees the follow-up of ESG/CSR regulations and coordinates the implementation of the Sustainability regulatory roadmap.
As an investment manager, we strive to integrate ESG across all processes, offering the best services and products in ESG Investing. As a company, we commit to upholding the highest sustainability standards in every dimension of our business and we believe that our new ESG Governance Framework will allow us to so in a more efficient manner.
Dialshifter
This fund is helping to ‘shift the dial from brown to green’ by...
...integrating ESG factors at every step of the investment process, from applying norms-based and controversial activities exclusions, to integrating ESG criteria in the fundamental stock analysis. Apart from its financial objectives, the fund has 2 ESG KPIs: achieving a carbon footprint that is lower than that of its benchmark, and obtaining an overall ESG score higher than the ESG score of its index.
Our organisation is helping to support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Race to Net Zero by...
- Moving beyond integrating scope 1 & 2 carbon footprinting, and extending the measurement of carbon performance to scope 3 emissions where relevant;
- The integration of climate goals in ESG research and investment objectives;
- Articulating our Climate Strategy around the core functions and activities of the organization:
- investment management products and services,
- corporate stewardship & active ownership,
- the company’s own operations.
We publish a certain number of metrics both at company level and fund level.
SDR Labelling:
Not eligible to use label
Fund Name | SRI Style | SDR Labelling | Product | Region | Asset Type | Launch Date | Last Amended |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candriam Equities L Global Demography Fund |
Social Style | Not eligible to use label | SICAV/Offshore | Global | Equity | 02/01/2012 | Oct 2024 | |
ObjectivesCandriam Equities L Global Demography invests in global companies that are well positioned to benefit from worldwide demographic evolutions, with a market cap superior to 250 mio USD and mainly headquartered in a developed world country, as defined by MSCI. In a growing world with increasing purchasing power capacities and an increasing average life expectancy; several attractive investment themes can be put forward: increasing demand for scarce energy and raw materials through mining, infrastructure, agriculture or oil and gas, growing number of wealthy consumers through activities in luxury goods, household products and leisure or increasing demand for healthcare services for the elderly. The investment horizon is 6 years. The fund is managed actively, with reference to MSCI World (Net Return). For further information about this index and its use, please consult the fund’s key investor information document (KIID) which you can find on Candriam’s website. |
Fund Size: £1481.79m (as at: 31/05/2024) Total Screened Themed SRI Assets: £44400.46m (as at: 31/05/2024) Total Responsible Ownership Assets: £51607.60m (as at: 31/05/2024) Total Assets Under Management: £125342.06m (as at: 31/05/2024) ISIN: LU0654531341, LU1598288089, LU2346220564, LU2439121216 Contact Us: benjamin.rumary@candriam.com |
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Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG OverviewThe fund philosophy is to invest in companies mainly from developed countries and incidentally from emerging countries, which are well-positioned to benefit from global demographic changes expected in the coming years and which will have a major impact on the worldwide economy. For this thematic investment philosophy, we have developed a proprietary and conviction-based process to select new and established companies that will take advantage of the following powerful demographic megatrends:
The fund is classified article 8 SFDR and targets the two following KPI’s:
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Primary fund last amended: Oct 2024 |
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Information received directly from Fund Manager |
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Fund FiltersSustainability - 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.
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
UN Global Compact linked exclusion policy
Find funds that use the UN Global Compact to inform or help direct where they can or cannot invest and will typically not invest in companies with significant breaches (low standards) - although strategies vary. (The UNGC covers a wide range of issues - search 'UNGC'). See https://unglobalcompact.org/
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) focus
Find funds that specifically aim to invest (and manage assets) in ways that help to address all or some of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). See https://sdgs.un.org/goals).
Report against sustainability objectives
Find funds that publicly report their performance against specifically named sustainability objectives (in addition to reporting their financial performance) Environmental - General
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.
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. Nature & Biodiversity
Biodiversity / nature policy
Find funds that have a written biodiversity policy or theme aimed at encouraging and improving environmental protection and safeguarding the natural world (sometimes referred to as the preservation or enhancement of 'natural capital'). See eg https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity Climate Change & Energy
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.
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
Supply chain decarbonisation policy
Fund has a supply chain decarbonisation policy which sets out its position on the need to reduce carbon emissions throughout the investment chain. This will inform where the manager can and can not invest. Social / Employment
Labour standards policy
Find funds that have a labour standards policy - which can be expected to mean that the fund will invest in / favour companies that have higher standards in this area - although fund strategies can vary significantly (as with all policy areas). See eg https://www.ilo.org/international-labour-standards
Favours companies with strong social policies
Find funds that invest in line with positive strategies that relate to 'people' issues - such as having strong human rights, labour standards and equal opportunities practices. Such funds are likely to invest in companies that have market leading standards with regard to employee and supplier practices. Read fund literature for further information.
Diversity, equality & inclusion Policy (fund level)
Find individual funds that have a written diversity policy – where the fund manager will aim to select companies with a carefully considered, sound approach to diversity. This should ideally cover a range of issues including gender, ethnicity, disability, beliefs, sexual orientation, etc.
Responsible mining policy
Fund has a policy that explains their position on which mining companies they may or may not invest in. Typically this may mean only investing in assets with high environmental and social standards. This is a growing concern given demand for rare earth metals eg lithium, cobalt. See fund information.
Vulnerable / gig workers protection policy
Fund has a policy aimed at protecting vulnerable workers such as those on zero hour / informal contracts working in the gig economy Ethical Values Led Exclusions
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.
Tobacco and related products - avoid where revenue > 5%
Companies are excluded if they make more than 5% of their revenue from the manufacture, sale or distribution of 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. 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.
Oppressive regimes (not free or democratic) exclusion policy
Find funds with policies that exclude companies or other assets where regimes are not democratic, or where people may be oppressed. May use eg. Freedom House research. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Indigenous peoples’ policy
The fund has a policy which sets out their position on the treatment of indigenous people by investee assets/companies - typically meaning they won't invest in companies with low standards.
Modern slavery exclusion policy
The fund has a policy which excludes assets with involvement in Modern Slavery
LGBTQ+ policy
The fund has a policy which sets out its position on LGBTQ+ related social issues and their expectations of investee assets - typically meaning they won't invest in companies with poor standards. See fund information. Meeting Peoples' Basic Needs
Demographic / ageing population theme
Find funds with a thematic investment approach focusing on the ‘silver economy’ - in particular (typically) the issues and opportunities presented by changing demographics. This could include finance, healthcare and medicines and/ or longevity science to extend lifespans. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information. Gilts & Sovereigns
Does not invest in sovereigns
Find funds that do not invest in / exclude 'sovereigns' - debt issued by governments. See eg https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sovereign-debt.asp Banking & Financials
Invests in banks
Find funds that include banks as part of their holdings / portfolio.
Invests in insurers
Funds that do or may invest in insurance companies. 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.
Anti-bribery and corruption policy
Find funds that have policies explaining how managers will respond to assets / companies that do not comply with relevant anti-bribery and anti-corruption standards or laws. Strategies vary; options include stewardship/ engagement and divestment - or a combination. See fund literature for further information.
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
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
Over 50% large cap companies
Find funds that invests more than half of their money into what are commonly regarded as 'large companies'. This will typically mean that the market capitalisation (or value) of the companies they hold is in excess of £5 to £10 billion.
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.
Invests mostly in large cap companies / assets
Find funds that have SRI strategies and focus their investment stock selection on larger companies. (e.g. over circa £5-£10bn) Impact Methodologies
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.
Positive social impact theme
Find funds that specifically state that they aim to deliver positive social (i.e. people related) impacts and/or outcomes.
Aim to deliver positive impacts through engagement
Fund aims to deliver positive environmental and or social impacts (real world benefits) through its engagement with investee assets
Over 50% in assets providing environmental or social ‘solutions’
50% of fund assets are regarded by the fund manager as being significantly focused on providing solutions to environmental or social challenges. Strategies vary. 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.
ESG weighted / tilt
Find funds that invest more heavily in those that have higher ESG ratings/standards or scores and less heavily in companies with lower ESG ratings. Where this is central to a fund's strategy you should expect it to invest in most sectors. Strategies vary.
Combines norms based exclusions with other SRI criteria
Find funds that make significant use of internationally agreed 'norms' (e.g. United Nations Global Compact - UNGC - or the UN Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs) as part of their investment selection process alongside additional SRI criteria such as positive or negative stock selection policies and/or stewardship strategies.
Balances company 'pros and cons' / best in sector
Find funds that consider both the 'positive' and 'negative' aspects of company behaviour and make balanced, considered decisions as part of their investment approach. May apply to a range of different issues and policy areas.
Norms focus
Find funds that use internationally agreed standards, conventions and 'norms' to help direct where the fund can and cannot invest (e.g. the UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Development Goals). Read fund literature for further information.
Focus on ESG risk mitigation
A major focus of these funds is the careful management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) related risks - typically by avoiding or being underweight in companies seen as posing major risks in these areas (i.e. not necessarily by using themes, exclusions etc).
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). Unscreened Assets & Cash
All assets (except cash) meet published sustainability criteria
All assets held in the fund - except cash - meet the sustainability criteria published in fund documentation. Intended Clients & Product Options
Available via an ISA (OEIC only)
Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.
Portfolio SRI / ESG options available (DFMs)
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Finds those that offer an SRI / ESG portfolio option
Bespoke SRI / ESG portfolios available (DFMs)
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Find service providers who offer bespoke ('personalised') SRI / ESG portfolio options 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 InformationAbout 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.
Specialist positive impact fund management company
Find fund management companies (or subsidiaries) that specialise in - or focus entirely on - investing in assets that are helping to deliver positive environmental and / or social impacts.
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.
Sustainable property strategy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that take sustainability criteria into account when selecting and/or managing all of their property / real estate investments.
SDG aligned aims / objectives (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that aim to align all their investments (across all funds) to help meet the aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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.
Invests in new sustainability linked bond issuances (AFM company wide)
Asset management company has investments in bonds designed to meet sustainability requirements - however these assets may not be 'ringfenced' for this purpose. See fund manager website for details.
Offer structured intermediary training on sustainable investment
Fund management entity offers unstructured intermediary training on sustainable investment (ie for financial advisers and wealth managers)
Offer unstructured intermediary sustainable investment training
Fund management entity offers unstructured intermediary training on sustainable investment (ie for financial advisers and wealth managers) Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory
Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.
UKSIF member
Find fund management companies that are members of UKSIF - the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance association
Investment Association (IA) member
Fund management entity is a member of the Investment Association https://www.theia.org/ Resources
In-house responsible ownership / voting expertise
Find fund management companies that employ people to steer and support fund managers in voting shares at company AGM's and EGMs in ways that are consistent with encouraging higher ESG/sustainability standards.
Employ specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability researchers
Find a fund management company that directly employs specialist ESG/SRI/sustainability researchers or analysts. This allows asset managers to discuss environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities directly with companies.
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.
ESG specialists on all investment desks (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have one or more ESG/sustainability experts on all investment teams or 'desks' (all asset types) 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' Engagement Approach
Regularly lead collaborative ESG initiatives (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that regularly initiate or run industry wide (collaborative) investor projects aimed at raising environmental, social and governance standards amongst investee companies.
Engaging on climate change issues
Fund manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that is focused on addressing climate change with investee assets.
Engaging with fossil fuel companies on climate change
Asset manager has a stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that involves working with fossil fuel companies on climate change related issues. See fund manager website for details.
Engaging to reduce plastics pollution / waste
Asset manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy with involves encouraging investee asset to reduce plastic waste and pollution.
Engaging on human rights issues
Asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place which aims to address human rights issues in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers) with the aim of raising standards
Engaging to stop modern slavery
working with the assets they hold to help stamp out modern slavery - where direct or indirect company employees are exploited for business benefits.
Engaging to encourage more sustainable ‘diversifiers’ (e.g. derivatives)
Funds may use assets that are not directly aligned with sustainability objectives in order to help manage investment risk. Engaging for more sustainable options will aid alignment with fund objectives.
Engaging on the responsible use of AI
Working to address sustainability, ESG and related concerns around artificial intelligence. Company Wide Exclusions
Controversial weapons avoidance policy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies (not funds) that avoid investment in 'controversial weapons' across all of their funds and other investment vehicles.
Tobacco avoidance policy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that avoid investment in tobacco (manufacturing) companies across all their assets.
Fossil fuel exclusion policy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that avoid investment in fossil fuel companies (e.g. coal, oil and gas) across all of their funds. (and/ or other assets.)
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.) Climate & Net Zero Transition
Net Zero commitment (AFM company wide)
Fund management organisations that have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’. Strategies vary - this area is changing rapidly.
Carbon transition plan published (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have a company wide carbon transition plan - meaning that they have plotted a path to how they will move away from activities that produce or use carbon based energy sources (that emit greenhouse gases) towards clean, alternative, renewable energy sources.
‘Forward Looking Climate Metrics’ published / ITR (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have published ‘forward looking climate metrics’ e.g. 'implied temperature rise' data that are a total of the asset management company's share (% owned) of all the investee company emissions of the assets they manage, as well as their own direct and other indirect emissions.
In-house carbon / GHG reduction policy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that are working to reduce their own (fund management company) carbon/greenhouse gas emissions.
Working towards a ‘Net Zero’ commitment (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund management companies that are in the process of working out how to make a ‘net zero commitment’ - meaning that when that is finalised they will have started the process of reducing their total greenhouse gas emissions to'zero'. Transparency
Publish responsible ownership / stewardship report (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.
Full SRI / responsible ownership policy information on company website
Find companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.
Full SRI / responsible ownership policy information available on request
Find fund management companies that will supply information about their sustainable and responsible investment activity on request.
Dialshifter statement
Find fund management companies that have supplied Dialshifter information. See Dialshifter tab within record for more information. Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:In a first step, we reduce the investment universe by applying an ESG-filter based on controversial activities and the respect of the UN Global Compact principles. Any companies exposed to the weapons industry are permanently excluded from the universe if they are involved in the production or sale of anti-personnel landmines, cluster bombs, depleted uranium, chemical, biological and nuclear weapons regardless of the sales/revenues derived from such products.
Candriam also excludes companies involved in white phosphorous weapons that derive more than 5% of their total sales/revenues from the production, manufacturing, trade, testing or maintenance of such weapons.
We also exclude all companies directly involved in the tobacco industry that derive more than 5% of their revenues from the manufacturing or retailing of tobacco products and all companies directly or indirectly involved in the thermal coal industry deriving more than 10% of their revenues from coal extraction or power generation from coal or developing new thermal coal projects. Gambling is also excluded as a controversial activity, applying a 5% revenue threshold.
Candriam also conducts a Norms-based Analysis to determine whether each company respects the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact that cover four main categories: Human Rights, Labour, Environment, and Anti-Corruption. Based on this Norms-based review, we possibly exclude companies which have significantly and repeatedly breached any of the principles of the United Nation’s Global Compact.
As for Demographic screening, we aim to identify those companies that generate at least 30% of their revenues from one or more of the following demographic long-term sub-themes: Rising demand for food, water & natural resources, Urbanisation, Environment, Healthcare, Healthier lifestyle, Retirement & savings, Emerging markets consumer, Evolving consumption trends (including digital). Starting from a high-level market classification, it’s clear some industry groups fit squarely into one of the 8 sub-thematics. Examples would be Health Care Equipment, Pharma, Automation or Electrical Equipment players within Cap goods, Semiconductor companies, Wealth Managers, Luxury Apparel amongst others. For other sectors thematic relevancy is less clear and stocks will be screened and analysed on an ad hoc basis. Both eventually create the total universe of names for the strategy.
Process:The strategy uses a fundamental bottom-up investment process, comprising four steps:
Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:After first implementing a formal sustainability governance for the firm in 2020, we have further refined it to reflect changes within the firm but also to increase transparency vis-à-vis the investor:
ESG
CSR
ESG + CSR
As an investment manager, we strive to integrate ESG across all processes, offering the best services and products in ESG Investing. As a company, we commit to upholding the highest sustainability standards in every dimension of our business and we believe that our new ESG Governance Framework will allow us to so in a more efficient manner.
DialshifterThis fund is helping to ‘shift the dial from brown to green’ by... ...integrating ESG factors at every step of the investment process, from applying norms-based and controversial activities exclusions, to integrating ESG criteria in the fundamental stock analysis. Apart from its financial objectives, the fund has 2 ESG KPIs: achieving a carbon footprint that is lower than that of its benchmark, and obtaining an overall ESG score higher than the ESG score of its index.
Our organisation is helping to support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Race to Net Zero by...
We publish a certain number of metrics both at company level and fund level.
SDR Labelling:Not eligible to use label |