EdenTree Green Infrastructure Fund

SRI Style:

Environmental Style

SDR Labelling:

Sustainability Impact label

Product:

OEIC

Fund Region:

Global

Fund Asset Type:

Infrastructure

Launch Date:

28/09/2022

Last Amended:

Jun 2025

Dialshifter ():

Fund/Portfolio Size:

£34.26m

(as at: 30/04/2025)

Total Screened Themed SRI Assets:

£1638.79m

(as at: 30/04/2025)

Total Responsible Ownership Assets:

£1403.01m

(as at: 30/04/2025)

Total Assets Under Management:

£3041.81m

(as at: 30/04/2025)

ISIN:

GB00BNG5Z717, GB00BNG5ZH11, GB00BNG5ZG04, GB00BQMRSF18

Objectives:

The Fund aims to generate income with the potential for capital growth by investing in infrastructure related companies around the globe.

Sustainable, Responsible
&/or ESG Overview:

To support a reduction in the level of greenhouse gas emissions, measured in tonnes of CO2e avoided on an annual basis, through the Fund’s investment in, and engagement with, companies whose business is based on the ownership, operation, construction, development, or debt funding of real assets and infrastructure projects that mitigate the effects of climate change.

Primary fund last amended:

Jun 2025

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

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

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/

Transition focus

The delivery of the shift to a sustainable future is a core feature of this fund and its investment strategy. See eg https://www.transitionpathwayinitiative.org/

Circular economy theme

Fund has a theme or investment strand focused on the shift to a circular economy (where products are reused and recycled not incinerated or dumped). See eg https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview

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.

Environmental damage and pollution policy

Funds that have written policies explaining the approach they take when companies damage the environment or are significant polluters. Funds of this kind may work with companies to encourage higher standards, or exclude companies - sometimes dependent on the situation. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

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.

Waste management policy or theme

Find funds that have a written policy or theme on waste management - typically a view to encouraging higher levels of recycling and better efficiency / reducing waste.

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

Nature / biodiversity based solutions theme

A significant focus on investments that aim to protect, improve and, or restore natural habitat.

Deforestation / palm oil policy

Find funds that have policies in place designed to ensure they do not invest in companies that are significantly involved in deforestation. This typically relates to palm oil plantations where biodiversity loss is a major concern (as well as other issues). Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Illegal deforestation exclusion policy

Find funds that have policies in place explaining that they avoid companies involved in illegal and/or unsustainable deforestation. This may relate to palm oil, cattle farming or other concerns. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Responsible palm oil policy

Fund has a responsible palm oil policy which is likely to focus on the producers of palm oil and deforestation issues with a view to informing investment decisions (and / or engagement) to support and encourage high standards.

Sustainable fisheries policy

Fund has a sustainable fisheries policy that will inform where it can and can not invest

Water stewardship policy

Fund has a policy which sets out their expectations for how investee assets should manage water

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.

Fracking and tar sands excluded

Funds that avoid companies involved in fracking and tar sands - which are widely regarded as controversial methods of oil and gas extraction. Strategies vary. See fund information for further information.

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.

Nuclear exclusion policy

Find funds that have policies which say they avoid or limit their investment in the nuclear industry. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

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.

Fossil fuel exploration exclusion - direct involvement

The fund manager excludes companies with direct involvement in fossil fuel exploration (eg coal, oil and gas companies)

Paris aligned fund strategy

This fund has a strategy that aims ensure its holdings will gradually reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in line with targets set at COP21 in Paris. The ultimate aim is to achieve ‘net zero emissions by 2050’ and a ‘maximum global temperature increase of +1.5 to +2 degrees above preindustrial levels’. Strategies and opinions vary. Read fund information.

Require net zero action plan from all/most companies

Find funds that require all, or almost all, of the companies it invests in to have a ‘net zero action plan’ - meaning that the companies they invest in have worked out how they will, over time, reduce their total carbon (and other greenhouse gas) emissions to nil.

Social / Employment
Social policy

Find funds that have policies which set out their approach to social issues (e.g. human rights, labour standards, equal opportunities, child labour and adherence to internationally recognised codes such as the UN Global Compact). Funds with social policies typically avoid companies with low standards or work to encourage higher standards. See fund information for detail.

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.

Mining exclusion

All mining companies excluded

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 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.

Controversial weapons exclusion

Find funds that exclude companies which make controversial weapons such as landmines, cluster munitions and chemical weapons. See fund literature for further information.

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.

Military involvement exclusion

Find funds that avoid companies with military contracts of any kind. This may include medical supplies, food, safety equipment, housing, etc. Fund strategies vary. See fund liteterature for more information.

Civilian firearms production exclusion

Find funds with a written civilian firearms exclusion policy - meaning that they will not invest in companies that make (or perhaps also sell) handguns made for non-military users.

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.

Animal welfare policy

Find funds with policies that require specific animal welfare standards to be met. These may reference well-known welfare standards (3Rs - Replace, Reduce, Refine) or certification schemes. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Animal testing - excluded except if for medical purposes

Find funds that avoid companies that test their products on animals for purposes other than medical benefit (e.g. for cosmetics). Strategies vary. See fund literature 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.

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.

Responsible supply chain policy or theme

Find funds that have policies or a theme that relates to the responsible management of supply chains. These may relate to employment issues, notably people employed by their suppliers, as well as the sourcing of materials and products. See fund literature for further information.

Modern slavery exclusion policy

The fund has a policy which excludes assets with involvement in Modern Slavery

Meeting Peoples' Basic Needs
Water / sanitation policy or theme

Find funds that have policies or themes that set out their position on investment in the water sector and/or sanitation. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Healthcare / medical theme

Healthcare and or medical theme or area of investment - the fund may have a single theme or many themes

Antimicrobial resistance policy

Fund has a policy on ‘antimicrobial resistance’ - which is when organisms that cause infection can survive treatment - which is commonly associated with the overuse of antibiotics in factory farming and a threat to our health.

Banking & Financials
Invests in banks

Find funds that include banks as part of their holdings / portfolio.

Only invest in TCFD (ISSB) aligned banks / financial institutions

Find fund managers that only invest in banks and other financial institutions that implement the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures recommendations on climate change related financial disclosures - which aim to help financial markets measure and respond to climate risk.

Exclude banks with significant fossil fuel investments

Will avoid banks that have a large part of their loan book (or other assets) invested in fossil fuels companies - particular coal, oil and gas.

Exclude insurers of major fossil fuel companies

Find funds that avoid investing in insurance companies that insure major fossil fuels companies – particularly coal, oil and gas. Strategies (eg definition of ‘major’) vary. See fund literature for further information.

Invests in insurers

Funds that do or may invest in insurance companies.

Governance & Management
Governance policy

Find fund options that have policies that relate to corporate governance issues such as board structure, executive remuneration, bribery and/or corporate corruption. These funds will typically avoid companies with poor practices. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.

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

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 TCFD alignment for banks & insurance companies

Find fund managers that encourage the banks and insurance companies they invest in to publish climate change related financial information - as set out by the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (with the aim of helping investors measure and respond to climate risk).

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

Require investee companies to report climate risk in R&A

The fund manager requires the companies they invest in to report on climate risks that are relevant to their business in their report and accounts

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.

ESG factors included in Assessment of Value (AoV) report

Environmental, social and governance issues are part of this fund’s reporting of their ‘value’ to clients. AoV reporting is a statutory requirement. Including ESG factors in its calculation is not.

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
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.

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 social solutions companies

Find funds that invest in companies where a major part of their business is specifically aimed at helping to address social challenges. e.g. companies helping to address poverty.

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.

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

Publish ‘theory of change’ explanation

This fund has an explanation of the way in which the manager believes things need to change in order to deliver a more sustainable future, which they are working to help achieve.

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.

Strictly screened ethical fund

Find funds where their main approach is to apply positive or negative ethical, social and / or environmental screens. Strictly screened funds are likely to exclude more companies than other related fund options. See 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.

Significant harm exclusion

Aims to avoid companies that do significant harm. This originates from the EU’s sustainable finance ‘DNSH’ (do no significant harm) work, which is not necessarily used by UK investors.

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.

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.

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).

Do not use stock / securities lending

This fund does not use stock lending for performance or risk purposes.

Unscreened Assets & Cash
Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives 70 - 79%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets.

Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives 80 – 89%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets.

Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives > 90%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets

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
Intended for investors interested in sustainability

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

Intended for clients interested in ethical issues

Find funds designed for clients who care about ethical and values-based issues, often alongside sustainability issues also.

Available via an ISA (OEIC only)

Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.

Labels & Accreditations
SDR Labelled

Find funds that have chosen to adopt one of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) SDR labels. Please note: there are a range of reasons why potentially relevant funds may not use an SDR label eg. adopting a label may be work in progress, the manager may not yet be allowed to do so because of the product type, a manager may feel their fund is insufficiently aligned to SDR requirements. Read fund literature and / or our blogs for further information.

ACT signatory

A voluntary corporate culture standard for investment managers, see https://www.investorsact.com/ - City Hive

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.

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.

Senior management KPIs include environmental goals (AFM company wide)

The leadership team of this asset manager have performance targets linked to environmental goals.

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).

Vulnerable client policy on website (AFM company wide)

Asset manager has information on their website that explains how they treat 'vulnerable clients' (as set out in FCA regulation)

Invests in newly listed companies (AFM company wide)

This asset management company invests in companies which have recently listed on a stock exchange (which is important as it can help grow new businesses).

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

Fund EcoMarket partner

Find fund management companies that have partnered with Fund EcoMarket - meaning that they are helping to improve access to information on sustainable and responsible investment by paying an annual fee to us which enables us to publish information for free. Partner funds are listed ahead of other funds and have their logos displayed.

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.

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'

UK Stewardship Code signatory (AFM company wide)

Find fund managers that are signatories to the FRC UK Stewardship Code, which sets out a framework for constructive investor / investee relations where fund managers are encouraged to behave like responsible, typically longer term 'company owners'.

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.

Encourage responsible corporate taxation (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage more responsible corporate taxation.

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 biodiversity / nature issues

The asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy that focuses on biodiversity and nature issues relating to the assets they invest the aim of which will be to reduce harm and or deliver improvement. Strategies vary. https://tnfd.global

Engaging to encourage a Just Transition

Asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy which means they are working to encourage the shift to more sustainable business practices in ways that respect and are sensitive to social issues and the impact change has on people effected by the changes that are taking place. https://www.transitionpathwayinitiative.org/ https://transitiontaskforce.net/

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 on labour / employment issues

Asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place that aims to improve labour standards for the benefit of employees in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers)

Engaging on diversity, equality and / or inclusion issues

Asset management company has a stewardship strategy in place which involves working to raise diversity, equality and inclusion standards across investee assets

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 on governance issues

Fund managers have stewardship strategies in place that focus on improving governance standards across investee assets

Engaging on responsible supply chain issues

Has a stewardship / responsible ownership strategy that encourages responsible supply chain - ie the managers will discuss environmental, social and governance issues with investee companies with the aim of raising standards

Engaging on the responsible use of AI

Working to address sustainability, ESG and related concerns around artificial intelligence.

Stewardship escalation policy

Escalation policies describe how a manager will proceed if stewardship / engagement activity is not successful in the short term.

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.

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.)

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.

Do not invest in companies with fossil fuel reserves

Asset management company excludes companies with fossil fuel reserves across all assets/funds

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.

Voting policy includes net zero targets (AFM company wide)

Fund manager AGM / EGM voting strategy has processes in place that mean they will normally be expected to vote in a way that will encourage the transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Net Zero - have set a Net Zero target date (AFM company wide)

This asset management company has set a date by which they plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.

Encourage carbon / greenhouse gas reduction (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

‘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.

Committed to SBTi / Science Based Targets Initiative

See https://sciencebasedtargets.org/

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.

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.

Dialshifter statement

Find fund management companies that have supplied Dialshifter information. See Dialshifter tab within record for more information.

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:

Sustainability Approach

We expect the Fund to contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through its asset contribution and investor contribution, as detailed below:

Asset activities (Asset Contribution to the Fund’s Impact): directing capital to companies whose products, services or assets enable a reduction in the level of greenhouse gas emissions across six pre-defined themes.

EdenTree Green Infra Policy.png

Engagement activities (Investor Contribution to the Fund’s Impact): EdenTree will engage with companies held in the portfolio to increase provision of climate solutions and avoid potentially negative outcomes. Our engagement activities seek to increase the greenhouse gas emissions reductions delivered by a company via two types of engagement:

  • Increase positive impacts: This type of engagement activity seeks to increase the company’s delivery of positive impact
  • Decrease potential negative impacts: This type of engagement activity seeks to decrease the investee company’s potential negative impacts

The Fund will invest at least 80% globally in the shares of companies and investment companies listed on stock markets whose business is based on the ownership, operation, construction, development or debt funding of real assets and infrastructure projects as defined by the investment themes set out below. Up to 20% can be invested in other assets economically appropriate to meet the Fund’s overall investment objective. These investments will be held for diversification and risk management purposes. The majority of the companies (and at least 70% of the assets of the Fund at all times) will be selected in accordance with the Sustainability Approach. Up to 30% of the Fund may be invested in other assets that do not meet the Sustainability Approach but will not conflict with the Fund’s sustainability objective, with a preference for assets that are complementary to this objective.

Process:

The Fund operates under our Green Infrastructure Framework, which is a thematic approach that incorporates both bottom-up and top-down analysis. The Fund will seek to invest in companies that own, operate, construct, develop, or provide debt funding for real assets and projects that enable the systems and services that a society needs to work effectively in a way that demonstrates positive environmental outcomes. These investments will initially take place within these five key themes, outlined below:

Edentree Green Infr process1.png

Investment Process

Edentree Green Infra process2.png

Idea Generation

The Fund’s current core investment universe consists of about 200 stocks, which is continually reviewed. This number of potential investments is anticipated to grow substantially due to the investment required to meet long term governmental climate change targets and corporate net zero ambitions.

Furthermore, new additions to this universe arise through insights about market opportunities arising from the broader team at EdenTree, with particularly pertinent insights into developing technologies coming from work related to the EdenTree Green Future Fund, and insights into debt funding of related projects from work related to the EdenTree Global Impact Bond Fund. External sources of ideas include longstanding market relationships that allow us to keep informed of IPOs and capital raisings.

The investment universe is now at a scale to provide a wide selection of potential investments for different market conditions but has up until now been small enough to allow specialist firms that have been engaging with green and sustainable themes from the beginning to develop strong networks with both emerging and long established investment operators in the sector. We believe that some of the best investment ideas will arise as a result of identifying opportunities arising from known operators engaging in new adjacent ventures. For example, Harmony Energy Income Trust is held in the portfolio as the result of deep knowledge of the company developed not only during the IPO process, but also through knowledge of the management team pre-dating the IPO. In this case, EdenTree was also approached directly by Harmony Energy Income Trust and its brokers as potential investors in the IPO. Through the process of meeting with the company several times, reading the prospectus, and assessing market conditions, we developed conviction in the investment potential.

This has also led to further engagement with the company, with our Responsible Investment (RI) Team providing investor input into their ESG approach.

Alignment and Categorization

Once an investment has been determined to be aligned with the Green Infrastructure Framework, it will be assessed for its investment potential within one of the following categories:

  • Core holdings, for which we would be seeking either ‘Secure income’ or ‘High return potential’
  • Diversifiers

When it comes to categorization by investment criteria, potential holdings will have to clearly fit into one of three investment categories: secure income, high return potential, and diversifiers.

Secure income indicates holdings that are judged to be likely to provide a more secure source of income even if they may not have as much upside potential as holdings in the ‘high return potential’ category. Canadian Solar Infrastructure, for example, has a stable long term dividend history, supported by a financial model based not on receiving merchant power prices but on receiving base rent for its assets related to a percentage of projected power generated, with the potential for performance-linked rent on top of this.

High return potential indicates holdings that are valued in such a way that we believe there is potential for greater returns, although they may or may not have a past track record of this. For example, Harmony Energy Income Trust is a recent IPO and, at the time of writing, most of its assets are under construction; the investment thesis posits that the value of its portfolio should rise substantially as the assets are constructed, but it has so far only paid one dividend. As such, we deem that it has potential for high returns, but has not yet demonstrated an ability to deliver secure income.

Diversifiers are holdings where we believe past or likely future return profiles clearly complements those of existing holdings. They may not offer high (or any) income, but they will be deemed likely to help preserve capital in the portfolio as a whole. Cadeler, for example, pays no dividend, but operates in a completely different part of the renewable energy value chain from other holdings in the portfolio.

Investment Analysis

Core holdings should demonstrate either an ability to generate a secure, stable income stream, or the potential for high total returns, grounded in income-generation potential. A potential core holding will be assessed on the basis of whether or not the anticipated yield indicates it should contribute to the portfolio meeting or exceeding its CPI-based yield target, and if premium to NAV is deemed likely to pay for itself with near term income or is justified by alternative valuation.

For direct equity investment in companies that are not investment companies, different valuation methods will be employed depending on the nature of the company and the market opportunity that has been identified; these will be grounded in assessing the value of the company’s balance sheet or its anticipated future earnings with a view to gaining conviction about the company’s ability to sustain required dividend payments.

The core investment analysis process is grounded in close reading of prospectuses and analysis of financial statements to assess the likelihood of indicated yield being delivered, or if we would estimate a different yield. Where appropriate, this may be supported by valuation of investment companies’ underlying assets. Central to the fundamental analysis process is conducting regular meetings with company managements to support our analytical activities and to gauge conviction in the management teams. Similarly, we will conduct site visits where appropriate.

Diversifiers are not necessarily focused on income-generation. Instead, diversifiers should preserve the capital value of the Fund – especially under market conditions where the core holdings may do less well.

As such, a potential diversifier will be assessed on the basis of whether or not its price implies a high likelihood of capital preservation or appreciation, and on the basis of whether or not likely future return profiles will complement the return profiles of existing holdings. This can take the form both of a logical assessment of how it generates its returns (e.g. the place it occupies in the value chain of the industry within which it sits), and through conducting correlation analysis of its past returns relative to existing assets in the portfolio.

Portfolio Construction

The Fund takes a focused yet diversified approach. By focusing on diversified investment companies, we can reduce the number of top level holdings, allowing us to regularly meet with their management teams as well as increase the frequency with which we can review each holding – without compromising on diversification because each investment company will itself have a diversified portfolio of investments. The Fund currently has under 25 holdings, but we do not intend for the Fund to diverge from its focused yet diversified approach, and, as such, we do not anticipate holdings to go above 40.

The Fund will generally invest inflows and divest outflows as they occur, seeking to remain as close to fully invested as is practicable under various market conditions. The Fund has a focus on investment companies, which tend to be most liquid during times of capital raisings and around NAV announcements. As such, we may therefore at times allow cash balances to build up to allow participation in capital raising or to await more liquid times in the market, when we believe this will be most beneficial to our investors.

At the time of investment, no holding (with the potential exception of cash) will be more than 7% of the Fund. Otherwise, position sizes will reflect conviction, liquidity, and be further modified by portfolio modelling, which will be undertaken on an ongoing basis to target appropriate aggregate characteristics for varying market conditions, such as yield, valuation, beta, and diversification.

Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:

The five person Responsible Investment (RI) Team is part of the wider Investment Team, and provides the specialist in-house resource for ESG screening, engagement, voting and thought-leadership. All members of the Investment Team are required to have an understanding of responsible and sustainable investing, and to include this into their thinking and analysis for the Responsible & Sustainable & Green fund range. The RI analysis is subject to peer review by the whole team with agreed sign off to ensure quality control and consistency. Our dedicated RI Team biographies are detailed below:  

  • Carlota Esguevillas, Head of Responsible Investment – Prior to joining the firm, Carlota worked for a leading sustainability consultancy advising global companies on their ESG strategies and disclosures. She holds a First-Class Honours BA in Geography from Oxford University, a master’s certificate with distinction in Business & Human Rights from Bergen University, and the Investment Management Certificate (IMC). She is also a member of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association’s (UKSIF) Industry Development Committee.
  • Amelia Gaston, Senior Responsible Investment Analyst – Amelia holds a BA in Geography from Durham University and previously worked as a Responsible Investment Analyst at LGPS Central, one of the UK Pension Pools. Amelia holds the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) and CFA Certificate in ESG Investing. She leads EdenTree’s work on climate and environmental issues.
  • Hayley Grafton, Senior Responsible Investment Analyst – Hayley leads on the firm's approach to corporate governance and proxy voting. She holds the Investment Management Certificate (IMC), and is a member of the StePs (Stewardship Professionals) Association. Previously, Hayley worked at Mercer, where she focused on the firm's stewardship approach and activity across portfolio funds in her role as a Sustainable Investment Specialist.
  • Cordelia Dower-Tylee, Responsible Investment Analyst – Cordelia holds an MA in History from the University of Edinburgh, and a Certificate in Sustainable Finance from the University of Cambridge. She has previously worked with the International Water Management Institute and has experience in a green-focused corporate advisory firm. She leads EdenTree’s environmental work, with an emphasis on water, and supports the company’s work on governance.
  • Aaron Cox, Impact Strategist – Aaron joined EdenTree in June 2022 and is Impact Strategist within the Responsible Investment Team. Prior to joining EdenTree, Aaron had roles at First State Investments (now First Sentier), Jupiter and Majedie and as a writer and researcher with a focus on ESG and sustainable investing. He started his career as a derivatives broker in Sydney.  Aaron has a BA in English from the University of New South Wales, Post Grad Certificate in Environmental Economics from SOAS and Certificate in Sustainable Investing from Harvard Business School.  He is currently undertaking a post graduate research project at Birmingham University on computational linguistic methods to identify sustainability stretch goal tensions and the risk of greenwashing and corporate misbehaviour.

 

ESG risk exposure is constantly monitored by our data providers, ISS & Sustainalytics, who flag potential violations of global norms. In addition, if any of our holdings breach our screens, we are immediately notified by our data providers and can then review the breach with the ultimate sanction of divestment if we deem it necessary. Furthermore, periodically stocks and instruments held within our funds are reviewed by the RI Team to ensure that they remain suitable, whilst the team monitors any negative news flow, engaging with companies to provide clarity and assess the risk level involved.

Our Responsible Investment Team hold overall responsibility of the ESG process. Whilst this involves some input from senior management, we view it as a crucial component of our investment decision-making process vis-à-vis determining a security’s suitability for portfolio inclusion on responsible grounds, that this ownership sits with the RI Team.

Our RI team conducts research and analysis from publicly available materials including:

  • Company literature (annual reports, websites and sustainability reports)
  • Industry or trade body publications and websites
  • Non-governmental organisations (NGO) reports and websites e.g. Banktrack
  • Government and academic research
  • Investor benchmark initiatives

EdenTree plays a leading and longstanding role across multiple organisations. They are signatories, members and subscribers to a number of industry partnerships and initiatives including:  

Signatory organisations

  • Principles of Responsible Investing (PRI);
  • UK Sustainable Investment & Finance Association (UKSIF);
  • Global Impact Investing Network;
  • UK Stewardship Code FRC;
  • Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC); 
  • Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return (FAIRR);
  • Financing a Just Transition Alliance;
  • World Benchmarking Alliance; 
  • Access to Nutrition Initiative;
  • Access to Medicine Initiative;  

Collaborative engagement initiatives 

  • PRI Advance Human Rights - Human Rights; 
  • IIGCC Banks Working Group - Climate Change;
  • CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project); 
  • Climate Action 100+ - Climate Change;
  • Nature Action 100+  - Biodiversity;
  • Investor Action Group on Anti-Microbial Resistance - Water & AMR;
  • Valuing Water Initiative - Water;
  • Investor Initiative on Hazardous Chemicals - Water & Chemicals;
  • Microfibre pollution initiative - Plastics Pollution;
  • 30% Club Investor Group - Diversity;
  • WBA – Digital Inclusion Group - Digital rights;
  • Good Work Coalition - Good work;
  • Votes Against Slavery - Modern slavery
  • Find it, Fix it, Prevent it initiative on modern slavery  

EdenTree believes these partnerships signals their commitment to having an active and positive role in the investment community. Collaborations are critical to driving change, whilst learning from expert sources allows them to provide more for their clients.    EdenTree also sits on UKSIF’s Analyst Committee, which advises on the development of UKSIF’s knowledge sharing programme on evolving sustainability issues. They also sit on the PRI’s Circular Economy Reference Group, which explores how investors can better integrate the principles of a circular economy into investment processes. EdenTree’s CIO, Charlie Thomas, sits on the IA’s Sustainability and Responsible Investment Committee.

Responsible Investment Advisory Panel Overview

In addition to the review provided by the RI Team, this team itself has independent oversight from an external advisory panel of senior industry practitioners with expertise in the field of responsible investment.   The EdenTree Responsible Investment Advisory Panel (“Panel”) meet three times each year to review the Responsible & Sustainable Fund portfolios, recent investment decisions and to discuss the latest responsible and sustainable research and trends.

The purpose of the Panel is to:

  • Help to ensure that the EdenTree Responsible & Sustainable range of funds meet the stated aims and objectives.
  • Provide advice in the formulation of policy in the light of changing social and environmental issues.   The Panel will provide advice to the RI Team including:
    • Advising on emerging issues or topics relevant to RI criteria.
    • Provide advice and guidance on individual companies or sectors, and engagement work.  

The Panel is made up of a number of industry experts, including:

  • Will Oulton – Panel Chair, (former Head of RI at First Sentier)
  • Mike Barry – Former Director of Sustainable Business
  • Verity Mitchell - Independent Consultant, (former Director of Utilities for HSBC Global Research)
  • Julian Parrott – Client Member, Ethical Futures 
  • Sue Round – Chair of EdenTree Investment Management ACD Board and former CEO
  • Annette Ferguson – Independent Consultant (former Head of Sustainable Business at Vodafone)
  • Paul Simpson OBE – Strategic Advisor (former CEO of CDP).

Dialshifter

This fund is helping to ‘shift the dial from brown to green’ by…

Investing in impactful companies that own, operate, construct, develop, or provide debt funding for real assets and projects that enable the systems and services that a society needs to work effectively, with emphasis on renewable energy infrastructure.

The Fund operates under our Green Infrastructure Framework, which is a thematic approach that incorporates both bottom-up and top-down analysis. The Fund will seek to invest in companies that own, operate, construct, develop, or provide debt funding for real assets and projects that enable the systems and services that a society needs to work effectively in a way that demonstrates positive environmental outcomes. These investments will take place within these six themes, outlined below:

EdenTree Green infra Dial.png

 

SDR Labelling:

Sustainability Impact label

Key Performance Indicators:

The fund adopted the SDR “Sustainability Impact” label and the fund invests mainly in solutions to sustainability problems, with an aim to achieve a positive impact for people or the planet.

 

The Fund measures its impact via one primary Key Performance Indicator (KPI), which reflects the Fund’s aim to support a reduction in the level of greenhouse gas emissions through the Fund’s investment in, and engagement with, companies whose business is based on the ownership, operation, construction, development, or debt funding of real assets and infrastructure projects that mitigate the effects of climate change and is measured in terms of the quantity of harmful emissions (tCO2 e) avoided.

At a minimum, we expect each of the Fund’s assets to contribute positively towards the Fund level KPI, which is set out in the Fund’s Theory of Change which links asset and investment activities to the positive outcome the Fund seeks to achieve.

In addition, we measure three theme-specific sustainability metrics, which we will report in the Fund’s Annual Sustainability Report. These include:

  • Renewable energy installed capacity (MW) - the amount of electricity a generator can produce when running at full operation.
  • Renewable energy generated (MWh) - the amount of electricity generated by a power plant.
  • Water saved/treated/provided (litres) - the volume of water that is treated/saved/provided by a company’s products and services.

Disclaimer

Regulatory Notice             

To obtain further information please speak to your EdenTree representative, visit www.edentreeim.com or call our support team on 0800 011 3821. This document has been prepared by EdenTree Investment Management Limited for Financial Advisors, other intermediaries and other investment professionals only. It is not suitable for private individuals.

This document has been produced for information purposes only and as such the views contained herein are not to be taken as advice or recommendation to buy or sell any investment or interest thereto. A full explanation of the characteristics of the investments is given in the Key Investor Information Document (KIID). Any forecast, figures, opinions statements of financial market trends or investment techniques and strategies expressed are unless otherwise stated, EdenTree Investment Management’s own at the date of this document. There is no guarantee that any forecast made will come to pass. Please note that the value of an investment and the income from it can fall as well as rise as a result of market and currency fluctuations, you may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future returns.

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

EdenTree Green Infrastructure Fund

Environmental Style Sustainability Impact label OEIC Global Infrastructure 28/09/2022 Jun 2025

Objectives

The Fund aims to generate income with the potential for capital growth by investing in infrastructure related companies around the globe.

Fund/Portfolio Size: £34.26m

(as at: 30/04/2025)

Total Screened Themed SRI Assets: £1638.79m

(as at: 30/04/2025)

Total Responsible Ownership Assets: £1403.01m

(as at: 30/04/2025)

Total Assets Under Management: £3041.81m

(as at: 30/04/2025)

ISIN: GB00BNG5Z717, GB00BNG5ZH11, GB00BNG5ZG04, GB00BQMRSF18

Contact Us: Clare.Setchfield@edentreeim.com

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Overview

To support a reduction in the level of greenhouse gas emissions, measured in tonnes of CO2e avoided on an annual basis, through the Fund’s investment in, and engagement with, companies whose business is based on the ownership, operation, construction, development, or debt funding of real assets and infrastructure projects that mitigate the effects of climate change.

Primary fund last amended: Jun 2025

Information received directly from Fund Manager

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Governance & Management
Governance policy

Find fund options that have policies that relate to corporate governance issues such as board structure, executive remuneration, bribery and/or corporate corruption. These funds will typically avoid companies with poor practices. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.

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

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 TCFD alignment for banks & insurance companies

Find fund managers that encourage the banks and insurance companies they invest in to publish climate change related financial information - as set out by the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (with the aim of helping investors measure and respond to climate risk).

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

Require investee companies to report climate risk in R&A

The fund manager requires the companies they invest in to report on climate risks that are relevant to their business in their report and accounts

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.

ESG factors included in Assessment of Value (AoV) report

Environmental, social and governance issues are part of this fund’s reporting of their ‘value’ to clients. AoV reporting is a statutory requirement. Including ESG factors in its calculation is not.

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
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.

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 social solutions companies

Find funds that invest in companies where a major part of their business is specifically aimed at helping to address social challenges. e.g. companies helping to address poverty.

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.

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

Publish ‘theory of change’ explanation

This fund has an explanation of the way in which the manager believes things need to change in order to deliver a more sustainable future, which they are working to help achieve.

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.

Strictly screened ethical fund

Find funds where their main approach is to apply positive or negative ethical, social and / or environmental screens. Strictly screened funds are likely to exclude more companies than other related fund options. See 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.

Significant harm exclusion

Aims to avoid companies that do significant harm. This originates from the EU’s sustainable finance ‘DNSH’ (do no significant harm) work, which is not necessarily used by UK investors.

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.

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.

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).

Do not use stock / securities lending

This fund does not use stock lending for performance or risk purposes.

Unscreened Assets & Cash
Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives 70 - 79%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets.

Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives 80 – 89%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets.

Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives > 90%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets

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
Intended for investors interested in sustainability

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

Intended for clients interested in ethical issues

Find funds designed for clients who care about ethical and values-based issues, often alongside sustainability issues also.

Available via an ISA (OEIC only)

Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.

Labels & Accreditations
SDR Labelled

Find funds that have chosen to adopt one of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) SDR labels. Please note: there are a range of reasons why potentially relevant funds may not use an SDR label eg. adopting a label may be work in progress, the manager may not yet be allowed to do so because of the product type, a manager may feel their fund is insufficiently aligned to SDR requirements. Read fund literature and / or our blogs for further information.

ACT signatory

A voluntary corporate culture standard for investment managers, see https://www.investorsact.com/ - City Hive

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.

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.

Senior management KPIs include environmental goals (AFM company wide)

The leadership team of this asset manager have performance targets linked to environmental goals.

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).

Vulnerable client policy on website (AFM company wide)

Asset manager has information on their website that explains how they treat 'vulnerable clients' (as set out in FCA regulation)

Invests in newly listed companies (AFM company wide)

This asset management company invests in companies which have recently listed on a stock exchange (which is important as it can help grow new businesses).

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

Fund EcoMarket partner

Find fund management companies that have partnered with Fund EcoMarket - meaning that they are helping to improve access to information on sustainable and responsible investment by paying an annual fee to us which enables us to publish information for free. Partner funds are listed ahead of other funds and have their logos displayed.

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.

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'

UK Stewardship Code signatory (AFM company wide)

Find fund managers that are signatories to the FRC UK Stewardship Code, which sets out a framework for constructive investor / investee relations where fund managers are encouraged to behave like responsible, typically longer term 'company owners'.

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.

Encourage responsible corporate taxation (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage more responsible corporate taxation.

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 biodiversity / nature issues

The asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy that focuses on biodiversity and nature issues relating to the assets they invest the aim of which will be to reduce harm and or deliver improvement. Strategies vary. https://tnfd.global

Engaging to encourage a Just Transition

Asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy which means they are working to encourage the shift to more sustainable business practices in ways that respect and are sensitive to social issues and the impact change has on people effected by the changes that are taking place. https://www.transitionpathwayinitiative.org/ https://transitiontaskforce.net/

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 on labour / employment issues

Asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place that aims to improve labour standards for the benefit of employees in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers)

Engaging on diversity, equality and / or inclusion issues

Asset management company has a stewardship strategy in place which involves working to raise diversity, equality and inclusion standards across investee assets

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 on governance issues

Fund managers have stewardship strategies in place that focus on improving governance standards across investee assets

Engaging on responsible supply chain issues

Has a stewardship / responsible ownership strategy that encourages responsible supply chain - ie the managers will discuss environmental, social and governance issues with investee companies with the aim of raising standards

Engaging on the responsible use of AI

Working to address sustainability, ESG and related concerns around artificial intelligence.

Stewardship escalation policy

Escalation policies describe how a manager will proceed if stewardship / engagement activity is not successful in the short term.

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.

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.)

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.

Do not invest in companies with fossil fuel reserves

Asset management company excludes companies with fossil fuel reserves across all assets/funds

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.

Voting policy includes net zero targets (AFM company wide)

Fund manager AGM / EGM voting strategy has processes in place that mean they will normally be expected to vote in a way that will encourage the transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Net Zero - have set a Net Zero target date (AFM company wide)

This asset management company has set a date by which they plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.

Encourage carbon / greenhouse gas reduction (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

‘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.

Committed to SBTi / Science Based Targets Initiative

See https://sciencebasedtargets.org/

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.

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.

Dialshifter statement

Find fund management companies that have supplied Dialshifter information. See Dialshifter tab within record for more information.

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:

Sustainability Approach

We expect the Fund to contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through its asset contribution and investor contribution, as detailed below:

Asset activities (Asset Contribution to the Fund’s Impact): directing capital to companies whose products, services or assets enable a reduction in the level of greenhouse gas emissions across six pre-defined themes.

EdenTree Green Infra Policy.png

Engagement activities (Investor Contribution to the Fund’s Impact): EdenTree will engage with companies held in the portfolio to increase provision of climate solutions and avoid potentially negative outcomes. Our engagement activities seek to increase the greenhouse gas emissions reductions delivered by a company via two types of engagement:

  • Increase positive impacts: This type of engagement activity seeks to increase the company’s delivery of positive impact
  • Decrease potential negative impacts: This type of engagement activity seeks to decrease the investee company’s potential negative impacts

The Fund will invest at least 80% globally in the shares of companies and investment companies listed on stock markets whose business is based on the ownership, operation, construction, development or debt funding of real assets and infrastructure projects as defined by the investment themes set out below. Up to 20% can be invested in other assets economically appropriate to meet the Fund’s overall investment objective. These investments will be held for diversification and risk management purposes. The majority of the companies (and at least 70% of the assets of the Fund at all times) will be selected in accordance with the Sustainability Approach. Up to 30% of the Fund may be invested in other assets that do not meet the Sustainability Approach but will not conflict with the Fund’s sustainability objective, with a preference for assets that are complementary to this objective.

Process:

The Fund operates under our Green Infrastructure Framework, which is a thematic approach that incorporates both bottom-up and top-down analysis. The Fund will seek to invest in companies that own, operate, construct, develop, or provide debt funding for real assets and projects that enable the systems and services that a society needs to work effectively in a way that demonstrates positive environmental outcomes. These investments will initially take place within these five key themes, outlined below:

Edentree Green Infr process1.png

Investment Process

Edentree Green Infra process2.png

Idea Generation

The Fund’s current core investment universe consists of about 200 stocks, which is continually reviewed. This number of potential investments is anticipated to grow substantially due to the investment required to meet long term governmental climate change targets and corporate net zero ambitions.

Furthermore, new additions to this universe arise through insights about market opportunities arising from the broader team at EdenTree, with particularly pertinent insights into developing technologies coming from work related to the EdenTree Green Future Fund, and insights into debt funding of related projects from work related to the EdenTree Global Impact Bond Fund. External sources of ideas include longstanding market relationships that allow us to keep informed of IPOs and capital raisings.

The investment universe is now at a scale to provide a wide selection of potential investments for different market conditions but has up until now been small enough to allow specialist firms that have been engaging with green and sustainable themes from the beginning to develop strong networks with both emerging and long established investment operators in the sector. We believe that some of the best investment ideas will arise as a result of identifying opportunities arising from known operators engaging in new adjacent ventures. For example, Harmony Energy Income Trust is held in the portfolio as the result of deep knowledge of the company developed not only during the IPO process, but also through knowledge of the management team pre-dating the IPO. In this case, EdenTree was also approached directly by Harmony Energy Income Trust and its brokers as potential investors in the IPO. Through the process of meeting with the company several times, reading the prospectus, and assessing market conditions, we developed conviction in the investment potential.

This has also led to further engagement with the company, with our Responsible Investment (RI) Team providing investor input into their ESG approach.

Alignment and Categorization

Once an investment has been determined to be aligned with the Green Infrastructure Framework, it will be assessed for its investment potential within one of the following categories:

  • Core holdings, for which we would be seeking either ‘Secure income’ or ‘High return potential’
  • Diversifiers

When it comes to categorization by investment criteria, potential holdings will have to clearly fit into one of three investment categories: secure income, high return potential, and diversifiers.

Secure income indicates holdings that are judged to be likely to provide a more secure source of income even if they may not have as much upside potential as holdings in the ‘high return potential’ category. Canadian Solar Infrastructure, for example, has a stable long term dividend history, supported by a financial model based not on receiving merchant power prices but on receiving base rent for its assets related to a percentage of projected power generated, with the potential for performance-linked rent on top of this.

High return potential indicates holdings that are valued in such a way that we believe there is potential for greater returns, although they may or may not have a past track record of this. For example, Harmony Energy Income Trust is a recent IPO and, at the time of writing, most of its assets are under construction; the investment thesis posits that the value of its portfolio should rise substantially as the assets are constructed, but it has so far only paid one dividend. As such, we deem that it has potential for high returns, but has not yet demonstrated an ability to deliver secure income.

Diversifiers are holdings where we believe past or likely future return profiles clearly complements those of existing holdings. They may not offer high (or any) income, but they will be deemed likely to help preserve capital in the portfolio as a whole. Cadeler, for example, pays no dividend, but operates in a completely different part of the renewable energy value chain from other holdings in the portfolio.

Investment Analysis

Core holdings should demonstrate either an ability to generate a secure, stable income stream, or the potential for high total returns, grounded in income-generation potential. A potential core holding will be assessed on the basis of whether or not the anticipated yield indicates it should contribute to the portfolio meeting or exceeding its CPI-based yield target, and if premium to NAV is deemed likely to pay for itself with near term income or is justified by alternative valuation.

For direct equity investment in companies that are not investment companies, different valuation methods will be employed depending on the nature of the company and the market opportunity that has been identified; these will be grounded in assessing the value of the company’s balance sheet or its anticipated future earnings with a view to gaining conviction about the company’s ability to sustain required dividend payments.

The core investment analysis process is grounded in close reading of prospectuses and analysis of financial statements to assess the likelihood of indicated yield being delivered, or if we would estimate a different yield. Where appropriate, this may be supported by valuation of investment companies’ underlying assets. Central to the fundamental analysis process is conducting regular meetings with company managements to support our analytical activities and to gauge conviction in the management teams. Similarly, we will conduct site visits where appropriate.

Diversifiers are not necessarily focused on income-generation. Instead, diversifiers should preserve the capital value of the Fund – especially under market conditions where the core holdings may do less well.

As such, a potential diversifier will be assessed on the basis of whether or not its price implies a high likelihood of capital preservation or appreciation, and on the basis of whether or not likely future return profiles will complement the return profiles of existing holdings. This can take the form both of a logical assessment of how it generates its returns (e.g. the place it occupies in the value chain of the industry within which it sits), and through conducting correlation analysis of its past returns relative to existing assets in the portfolio.

Portfolio Construction

The Fund takes a focused yet diversified approach. By focusing on diversified investment companies, we can reduce the number of top level holdings, allowing us to regularly meet with their management teams as well as increase the frequency with which we can review each holding – without compromising on diversification because each investment company will itself have a diversified portfolio of investments. The Fund currently has under 25 holdings, but we do not intend for the Fund to diverge from its focused yet diversified approach, and, as such, we do not anticipate holdings to go above 40.

The Fund will generally invest inflows and divest outflows as they occur, seeking to remain as close to fully invested as is practicable under various market conditions. The Fund has a focus on investment companies, which tend to be most liquid during times of capital raisings and around NAV announcements. As such, we may therefore at times allow cash balances to build up to allow participation in capital raising or to await more liquid times in the market, when we believe this will be most beneficial to our investors.

At the time of investment, no holding (with the potential exception of cash) will be more than 7% of the Fund. Otherwise, position sizes will reflect conviction, liquidity, and be further modified by portfolio modelling, which will be undertaken on an ongoing basis to target appropriate aggregate characteristics for varying market conditions, such as yield, valuation, beta, and diversification.

Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:

The five person Responsible Investment (RI) Team is part of the wider Investment Team, and provides the specialist in-house resource for ESG screening, engagement, voting and thought-leadership. All members of the Investment Team are required to have an understanding of responsible and sustainable investing, and to include this into their thinking and analysis for the Responsible & Sustainable & Green fund range. The RI analysis is subject to peer review by the whole team with agreed sign off to ensure quality control and consistency. Our dedicated RI Team biographies are detailed below:  

  • Carlota Esguevillas, Head of Responsible Investment – Prior to joining the firm, Carlota worked for a leading sustainability consultancy advising global companies on their ESG strategies and disclosures. She holds a First-Class Honours BA in Geography from Oxford University, a master’s certificate with distinction in Business & Human Rights from Bergen University, and the Investment Management Certificate (IMC). She is also a member of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association’s (UKSIF) Industry Development Committee.
  • Amelia Gaston, Senior Responsible Investment Analyst – Amelia holds a BA in Geography from Durham University and previously worked as a Responsible Investment Analyst at LGPS Central, one of the UK Pension Pools. Amelia holds the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) and CFA Certificate in ESG Investing. She leads EdenTree’s work on climate and environmental issues.
  • Hayley Grafton, Senior Responsible Investment Analyst – Hayley leads on the firm's approach to corporate governance and proxy voting. She holds the Investment Management Certificate (IMC), and is a member of the StePs (Stewardship Professionals) Association. Previously, Hayley worked at Mercer, where she focused on the firm's stewardship approach and activity across portfolio funds in her role as a Sustainable Investment Specialist.
  • Cordelia Dower-Tylee, Responsible Investment Analyst – Cordelia holds an MA in History from the University of Edinburgh, and a Certificate in Sustainable Finance from the University of Cambridge. She has previously worked with the International Water Management Institute and has experience in a green-focused corporate advisory firm. She leads EdenTree’s environmental work, with an emphasis on water, and supports the company’s work on governance.
  • Aaron Cox, Impact Strategist – Aaron joined EdenTree in June 2022 and is Impact Strategist within the Responsible Investment Team. Prior to joining EdenTree, Aaron had roles at First State Investments (now First Sentier), Jupiter and Majedie and as a writer and researcher with a focus on ESG and sustainable investing. He started his career as a derivatives broker in Sydney.  Aaron has a BA in English from the University of New South Wales, Post Grad Certificate in Environmental Economics from SOAS and Certificate in Sustainable Investing from Harvard Business School.  He is currently undertaking a post graduate research project at Birmingham University on computational linguistic methods to identify sustainability stretch goal tensions and the risk of greenwashing and corporate misbehaviour.

 

ESG risk exposure is constantly monitored by our data providers, ISS & Sustainalytics, who flag potential violations of global norms. In addition, if any of our holdings breach our screens, we are immediately notified by our data providers and can then review the breach with the ultimate sanction of divestment if we deem it necessary. Furthermore, periodically stocks and instruments held within our funds are reviewed by the RI Team to ensure that they remain suitable, whilst the team monitors any negative news flow, engaging with companies to provide clarity and assess the risk level involved.

Our Responsible Investment Team hold overall responsibility of the ESG process. Whilst this involves some input from senior management, we view it as a crucial component of our investment decision-making process vis-à-vis determining a security’s suitability for portfolio inclusion on responsible grounds, that this ownership sits with the RI Team.

Our RI team conducts research and analysis from publicly available materials including:

  • Company literature (annual reports, websites and sustainability reports)
  • Industry or trade body publications and websites
  • Non-governmental organisations (NGO) reports and websites e.g. Banktrack
  • Government and academic research
  • Investor benchmark initiatives

EdenTree plays a leading and longstanding role across multiple organisations. They are signatories, members and subscribers to a number of industry partnerships and initiatives including:  

Signatory organisations

  • Principles of Responsible Investing (PRI);
  • UK Sustainable Investment & Finance Association (UKSIF);
  • Global Impact Investing Network;
  • UK Stewardship Code FRC;
  • Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC); 
  • Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return (FAIRR);
  • Financing a Just Transition Alliance;
  • World Benchmarking Alliance; 
  • Access to Nutrition Initiative;
  • Access to Medicine Initiative;  

Collaborative engagement initiatives 

  • PRI Advance Human Rights - Human Rights; 
  • IIGCC Banks Working Group - Climate Change;
  • CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project); 
  • Climate Action 100+ - Climate Change;
  • Nature Action 100+  - Biodiversity;
  • Investor Action Group on Anti-Microbial Resistance - Water & AMR;
  • Valuing Water Initiative - Water;
  • Investor Initiative on Hazardous Chemicals - Water & Chemicals;
  • Microfibre pollution initiative - Plastics Pollution;
  • 30% Club Investor Group - Diversity;
  • WBA – Digital Inclusion Group - Digital rights;
  • Good Work Coalition - Good work;
  • Votes Against Slavery - Modern slavery
  • Find it, Fix it, Prevent it initiative on modern slavery  

EdenTree believes these partnerships signals their commitment to having an active and positive role in the investment community. Collaborations are critical to driving change, whilst learning from expert sources allows them to provide more for their clients.    EdenTree also sits on UKSIF’s Analyst Committee, which advises on the development of UKSIF’s knowledge sharing programme on evolving sustainability issues. They also sit on the PRI’s Circular Economy Reference Group, which explores how investors can better integrate the principles of a circular economy into investment processes. EdenTree’s CIO, Charlie Thomas, sits on the IA’s Sustainability and Responsible Investment Committee.

Responsible Investment Advisory Panel Overview

In addition to the review provided by the RI Team, this team itself has independent oversight from an external advisory panel of senior industry practitioners with expertise in the field of responsible investment.   The EdenTree Responsible Investment Advisory Panel (“Panel”) meet three times each year to review the Responsible & Sustainable Fund portfolios, recent investment decisions and to discuss the latest responsible and sustainable research and trends.

The purpose of the Panel is to:

  • Help to ensure that the EdenTree Responsible & Sustainable range of funds meet the stated aims and objectives.
  • Provide advice in the formulation of policy in the light of changing social and environmental issues.   The Panel will provide advice to the RI Team including:
    • Advising on emerging issues or topics relevant to RI criteria.
    • Provide advice and guidance on individual companies or sectors, and engagement work.  

The Panel is made up of a number of industry experts, including:

  • Will Oulton – Panel Chair, (former Head of RI at First Sentier)
  • Mike Barry – Former Director of Sustainable Business
  • Verity Mitchell - Independent Consultant, (former Director of Utilities for HSBC Global Research)
  • Julian Parrott – Client Member, Ethical Futures 
  • Sue Round – Chair of EdenTree Investment Management ACD Board and former CEO
  • Annette Ferguson – Independent Consultant (former Head of Sustainable Business at Vodafone)
  • Paul Simpson OBE – Strategic Advisor (former CEO of CDP).

Dialshifter (Fund)

This fund is helping to ‘shift the dial from brown to green’ by…

Investing in impactful companies that own, operate, construct, develop, or provide debt funding for real assets and projects that enable the systems and services that a society needs to work effectively, with emphasis on renewable energy infrastructure.

The Fund operates under our Green Infrastructure Framework, which is a thematic approach that incorporates both bottom-up and top-down analysis. The Fund will seek to invest in companies that own, operate, construct, develop, or provide debt funding for real assets and projects that enable the systems and services that a society needs to work effectively in a way that demonstrates positive environmental outcomes. These investments will take place within these six themes, outlined below:

EdenTree Green infra Dial.png

 

Dialshifter (Corporate)

‘Our organisation is helping to support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Race to Net Zero by…’

We aim to decarbonise our Funds in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. We have set two climate-targets for each of our Funds, designed to position our Funds onto a 1.5C-aligned pathway.

Our parent, the Benefact Group, worked with its subsidiary businesses and partners to deliver net zero direct impact (scopes 1&2) in 2023 and will work for net zero across all scopes (1, 2 & 3) by 2040. As a Group subsidiary we form part of this overall net zero ambition. Our scope 1 & 2 emissions are fully covered under the Group’s targets, as are the portfolios we manage on behalf of the Group.

SDR Labelling:

Sustainability Impact label

Key Performance Indicators:

The fund adopted the SDR “Sustainability Impact” label and the fund invests mainly in solutions to sustainability problems, with an aim to achieve a positive impact for people or the planet.

 

The Fund measures its impact via one primary Key Performance Indicator (KPI), which reflects the Fund’s aim to support a reduction in the level of greenhouse gas emissions through the Fund’s investment in, and engagement with, companies whose business is based on the ownership, operation, construction, development, or debt funding of real assets and infrastructure projects that mitigate the effects of climate change and is measured in terms of the quantity of harmful emissions (tCO2 e) avoided.

At a minimum, we expect each of the Fund’s assets to contribute positively towards the Fund level KPI, which is set out in the Fund’s Theory of Change which links asset and investment activities to the positive outcome the Fund seeks to achieve.

In addition, we measure three theme-specific sustainability metrics, which we will report in the Fund’s Annual Sustainability Report. These include:

  • Renewable energy installed capacity (MW) - the amount of electricity a generator can produce when running at full operation.
  • Renewable energy generated (MWh) - the amount of electricity generated by a power plant.
  • Water saved/treated/provided (litres) - the volume of water that is treated/saved/provided by a company’s products and services.

Disclaimer

Regulatory Notice             

To obtain further information please speak to your EdenTree representative, visit www.edentreeim.com or call our support team on 0800 011 3821. This document has been prepared by EdenTree Investment Management Limited for Financial Advisors, other intermediaries and other investment professionals only. It is not suitable for private individuals.

This document has been produced for information purposes only and as such the views contained herein are not to be taken as advice or recommendation to buy or sell any investment or interest thereto. A full explanation of the characteristics of the investments is given in the Key Investor Information Document (KIID). Any forecast, figures, opinions statements of financial market trends or investment techniques and strategies expressed are unless otherwise stated, EdenTree Investment Management’s own at the date of this document. There is no guarantee that any forecast made will come to pass. Please note that the value of an investment and the income from it can fall as well as rise as a result of market and currency fluctuations, you may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future returns.