HSBC GIF Global Equity Climate Change Fund
SRI Style:
Environmental Style
SDR Labelling:
Not eligible to use label
Product:
SICAV/Offshore
Fund Region:
Global
Fund Asset Type:
Equity
Launch Date:
09/11/2007
Last Amended:
Apr 2023
Dialshifter (
):
Fund Size:
£189.09m
(as at: 30/11/2024)
ISIN:
LU0323239441, LU2279705532, LU2279703917, LU2279704485
Sustainable, Responsible
&/or ESG Overview:
No response when requested update from manager (August 2024)
Global Equity Climate Change, a benchmark agnostic fund, aims to provide long term-total return by investing in companies that may benefit from the transition to a low carbon economy. The fund aims to do this with an overall carbon footprint 50% lower and an ESG score 20% higher than the weighted average of the constituents of the MSCI AC World Net index.
The fund invests globally, across a range of market capitalisations without any restriction, in individually quoted companies that fit the thematic, sustainability and governance requirements. Absolute sustainability and ESG exclusions: Companies involved in controversies related to the United Nations Global Compact principles. Companies involved in weapon design, manufacture and service. Companies involved in tobacco manufacturing, thermal coal extraction, controversial oil and gas extraction. Companies involved in electricity generation from coal, oil or nuclear.
Primary fund last amended:
Apr 2023
Information directly from fund manager.
Fund Filters
Sustainability - General
Funds that have policies that consider (environmental and social) sustainability issues. Strategies vary but are likely to consider environmental issues like climate change, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, resource management, environmental impacts; and social issues like equal opportunities, human rights, labour standards, diversity and adherence to internationally recognised codes. See fund information.
Find funds which substantially focus on sustainability issues
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.
A core element of these funds aim to encourage higher sustainability standards across business practices through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity
Find funds that use the UN Global Compact to inform or help direct where they can or cannot invest and will typically not invest in companies with significant breaches (low standards) - although strategies vary. (The UNGC covers a wide range of issues - search 'UNGC'). See https://unglobalcompact.org/
Find funds that specifically aim to invest (and manage assets) in ways that help to address all or some of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). See https://sdgs.un.org/goals).
Find funds that publicly report their performance against specifically named sustainability objectives (in addition to reporting their financial performance)
Environmental - General
Funds that limit or 'reduce' their exposure to carbon intensive industries (ie sectors which are major contributors to climate change. Funds vary - some funds may be 'underweight' in this area which means they may have some investment in highly carbon intensive areas. Funds of this kind may choose companies they consider to be 'best in sector' and encourage ever higher standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further details.
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.
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.
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.
Funds that are reviewing or encouraging companies to manage down the overuse of plastics (particularly single use, non-recyclable plastics). These funds will typically aim to encourage the use of alternative materials, but are unlikely to exclude companies purely on the basis of their use of plastics. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Nature & Biodiversity
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.
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.
Climate Change & Energy
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.
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.
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.
Funds that avoid companies that are involved in extracting oil from the Arctic regions. See fund literature for further details.
Funds that avoid investing in companies with coal, oil and gas reserves. See fund information for further details.
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.
A core element of these funds will aim to encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Companies are excluded if they are involved in any aspect of the production chain for tobacco products, including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meeting Peoples' Basic Needs
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.
Governance & Management
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.
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.
Exclude companies that are subject to United Nations sanctions. See eg https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list
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.
A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity
Fund Governance
Find funds that factor in 'environmental, social and governance' issues as part of their investment decision making process. A focus on 'ESG' typically means a fund is carrying out additional research to help reduce ESG related risks. It does not necessarily mean a focus on sustainability. Strategies vary. See fund literature.
Asset Size
Find funds that invests more than half of their money into what are commonly regarded as 'large companies'. This will typically mean that the market capitalisation (or value) of the companies they hold is in excess of £5 to £10 billion.
Find a fund that invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational)companies.
Find funds that have SRI strategies and focus their investment stock selection on larger companies. (e.g. over circa £5-£10bn)
Targeted Positive Investments
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.
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.
Find funds that have calculated the proportion of fund asset that meet the new EU Taxonomy requirements and that they total 5-25% of assets. This will typically require adding up the proportion of each individual company's activity that is regarded as 'green' so that the fund manager can produce an overall total for the whole fund / portfolio.
Find funds that have calculated the proportion of fund asset that meet the new EU Taxonomy requirements and that they total over 25% of fund assets. This will typically require adding up the proportion of each individual company's activity that is regarded as 'green' so that the fund manager can produce an overall total for the whole fund / portfolio.
Impact Methodologies
Funds that aim to help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Funds that aim to measure the positive real world environmental and / or social benefits that are associated with their investment strategy. Funds that aim to deliver positive impacts and measure those impacts may be referred to as 'impact funds' - although impact measurement is not restricted to impact funds. Strategies vary. See fund information.
Find funds that specifically set out to help deliver positive environmental impacts, benefits or 'real world' outcomes.
How The Fund Works
Find funds that focus on finding and investing in companies with positive / beneficial attributes. This strategy can be applied in addition to exclusion criteria and engagement/stewardship activity.
Find funds 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.
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.
Find funds that have 'mapped' (reviewed) their investment selection and management strategies to identify which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the fund is helping to address.
Find funds that make significant use of internationally agreed 'norms' (e.g. United Nations Global Compact - UNGC - or the UN Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs) as part of their investment selection process alongside additional SRI criteria such as positive or negative stock selection policies and/or stewardship strategies.
Find funds that 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.
Find funds that use internationally agreed standards, conventions and 'norms' to help direct where the fund can and cannot invest (e.g. the UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Development Goals). Read fund literature for further information.
A major focus of these funds is the careful management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) related risks - typically by avoiding or being underweight in companies seen as posing major risks in these areas (i.e. not necessarily by using themes, exclusions etc).
Intended Clients & Product Options
Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in sustainability issues.
Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in ‘Impact investment funds’ which help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.
Labels & Accreditations
Finds funds classified under Article 8 of the EU’s SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Requirements). Article 8 of the SFDR is a set of requirements that apply to financial products that 'promote' environmental or social characteristics with high governance also. These rules do not currently apply to UK funds so many managers may leave this field blank.
Fund Management Company Information
About The Business
Finds fund management companies that have a published company wide stewardship, engagement and / or responsible ownership policy or strategy that covers all investments. Stewardship typically involves encouraging higher ESG standards through voting and dialogue.
Find fund management companies that actively encourage higher 'environmental, social and governance' and/or 'sustainable and responsible investment' practices across investee companies - typically where the aim is to encourage positive change that is aligned with the best interests of investors. Strategies vary. See additional information and options.
Find fund managers that vote all* the shares they own at Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings. A commitment to voting shares is a key indicator of 'responsible share ownership' demonstrating their support for or disagreement with management policy. (*situations can legitimately, occasionally occur where voting proves impossible, but in principle all shares should be voted.)
Find fund managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.
The leadership team of this asset manager have performance targets linked to environmental goals.
Find fund management companies that aim to align all their investments (across all funds) to help meet the aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Find funds run by fund managers that apply Responsible ownership or 'Stewardship' policies to all or most of their investment assets. This means active involvement (e.g. voting, dialogue) with the companies they invest in across funds (not normally limited to ethical or SRI options.) Read fund literature for further information.
Find fund management companies that consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when deciding whether or not to invest in a company for all / almost all of their funds and other assets. This is increasingly seen as part of sound risk management.
Finds organisations / fund managers that have an in-house (company wide) diversity improvement programme - meaning that they are working to ensure that within their own businesses they employ people from diverse backgrounds - often typically focused on ethnicity and/or sex.
Find fund management companies that encourage the companies they invest in to have strong diversity, race, gender and other equality policies across all assets held, not simply screened or themed SRI/ESG funds. (ie Asset Management company wide).
Collaborations & Affiliations
Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.
Find fund management companies that are members of UKSIF - the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance association
This asset manager has signed up to the UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) program which aims to encourage more responsible banking practices – focused on environmental and social issues.
Resources
Find fund management companies that employ people to steer and support fund managers in voting shares at company AGM's and EGMs in ways that are consistent with encouraging higher ESG/sustainability standards.
Find a fund management company that directly employs specialist ESG/SRI/sustainability researchers or analysts. This allows asset managers to discuss environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities directly with companies.
Find fund management companies that makes use of expert external research companies. This can help deliver specialist expertise and means resources are pooled with other investors.
Accreditations
Finds organisations / fund managers that have an A+ PRI rating - meaning they are highly rated according to the 'Principles of Responsible Investment'
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
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.
Company Wide Exclusions
Find fund management companies (not funds) that avoid investment in 'controversial weapons' across all of their funds and other investment vehicles.
Find funds / fund managers that are reviewing, or have reviewed, their exposure to carbon intensive industries including (but not only) mining, oil and gas companies. (Typically with reference to climate change.)
This asset manager has a strategy in place that will lead them to exit direct investments in the coal mining industry. Managers ability to do this may depend on the geographic regions in which they invest.
Climate & Net Zero Transition
Fund management organisations that have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’. Strategies vary - this area is changing rapidly.
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.
This asset management company has set a date by which they plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.
Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
This asset management company plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions by reducing their emissions. Calculations and scope vary.
Finds organisations / fund management companies that are in the process of working out how to make a ‘net zero commitment’ - meaning that when that is finalised they will have started the process of reducing their total greenhouse gas emissions to'zero'.
Transparency
Find fund management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.
Find companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.
Fund management companies that publish a full record of how they vote their shares at AGMs (annual general meetings) and EGMs (extraordinary general meetings). Voting strategies have an important role to play encouraging higher environmental, social and governance standards.
Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:
Our Climate Change Policy outlines an approach to increasing the climate resilience of clients’ investments as well as contributing towards financing the transition to a low carbon economy. In 2015 we signed the Montréal Carbon Pledge. This annual disclosure forms an important part of our commitment to report on actions. We provide an annual report of the carbon footprint of our global equity portfolios in line with the PRI-sponsored Pledge.
A series of sub themes have been identified that we believe encompass the necessary responses to the challenges of climate change. All holdings in the fund are aligned with at least one of these sub themes. The sub themes are:
- Renewable Energy
- Green Buildings
- Pollution & Waste Prevention and Control
- Energy Efficiency
- Sustainable Water & Wastewater Management
- Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency
- Clean Transport
- Climate Change Adaption
- Natural Capital & Ecosystems
We selected the sub themes based on internal research, engaging with internal sustainability experts, and external consultation.
Our themes align well with what independent science suggests needs to happen for climate change to be minimised. Project Drawdown have used peer reviewed research to determine the likely impact of possible solutions to climate change. They find that renewable energy, ecosystem restoration, food, and energy efficiency are particularly important solutions due the size of their effects, and their lower cost. Currently, our portfolio aligns well with these findings, but we would hope to add more to the ecosystem restoration and land conservation area as more investment opportunities become apparent in this space.
Process:
Opportunities we are seeking to meet the Fund’s Objectives
- Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases enter the Earth’s atmosphere primarily as a result of the burning of fossil fuels for electricity production, the production of food and changing agricultural practices and land use, industrial processes, transportation and buildings.
- Whilst some of these emissions are absorbed naturally into land and sea based “sinks” approximately two thirds of them remain in the atmosphere and are the key drivers of climate change. A successful energy transition and decarbonisation of the entire global economic system requires a fundamental rewiring across all industries and sectors.
- Innovation and dramatic change in business practices will be required to reduce the emissions that remain in the atmosphere in order to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
- We want to finance companies that are targeting these areas as solution providers, solution enablers or those companies that are facilitating adaptation to climate change.
- Our investment process aims to deliver investment performance over the long term through a transparent and consistently applied fundamental approach to selecting investment candidates and managing the portfolio.
The three stages of the investment process are as follows:
Stage 1. Idea Generation
There are two stages within our idea generation – theme alignment and fundamental analysis.
- Theme Alignment
We have identified a series of sub themes that we believe encompass the necessary responses to the challenges of climate change. All portfolio holdings are aligned with at least one of these sub themes. The sub themes are:
- Renewable Energy
- Green Buildings
- Pollution & Waste Prevention and Control
- Energy Efficiency
- Sustainable Water & Wastewater Management
- Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency
- Clean Transport
- Climate Change Adaption
- Natural Capital & Ecosystems
We selected the sub themes based on internal research, engaging with internal sustainability experts, and external consultation.
- Business Model & Valuation Analysis
All companies that meet the thematic filters are then subject to a rigorous business model analysis, stakeholder due diligence and valuation framework to assess their suitability as potential investments.
Business Model Analysis
The business model is assessed by analysing sector and company specific process, using our four ‘M’ approach:
- Management Quality – Operate, Generate, Allocate
- Market Growth – Secular Cyclical
- Market Share – Value Proposition
- Economic Moat – Competitive Advantage
Stakeholder Due Diligence
Companies do not exist in a vacuum, there are a wide range of environmental, social, and governance stakeholders that a company must consider in order for it to achieve its purpose. We look for evidence of good values, behavior and culture to ensure that no stakeholders are being exploited; Customers, Employees, Board, Shareholders, Creditors, Pensioners, Supplies, Competitors, Environment, Society/Media, Regulator and Government.
Valuation Framework:
Our approach seeks to understand what is currently discounted in the share price, with reference to what the company has achieved historically, to ensure that the current valuation is appropriate given our assessment of the company’s prospects:
- ROIC - Level, C.A.P., FADE
- Required Return – Risk, Scenario, Probability
- Free Cash Flow – Growth Investment, Debt Repayment, Shareholder Returns
- Growth – Underling, T.A.M., Mix
Resources
Our fundamental research is internal and proprietary. We take advantage of the firm’s global research capability to access specific knowledge, perspective and on-the-ground insight.
The Global Equity team makes several hundred company visits each year, with our scale and reputation allowing direct access to senior management teams around the world.
We leverage select external research providers for access to their in-depth insight and understanding, including HSBC Global Research’s Climate Change Centre.
Stage 2: Metric Assessment and Validation
Stages 2.1 and 2.2 involve assessing data provider scoring on ESG, carbon intensity, and green revenue scores, and validating the scoring.
- ESG Score: MSCI and HSBC internal scores as first points of call. Internal analyst verification of these scores, involving reading about company, researching its relationships with key stakeholders. Direct engagement with company and its stakeholders if required.
- Exclusion Criteria: HSBC Internal data (from Sustainalytics) on UNGC compliance. Firm wide exclusions (cluster munitions etc) also applied.
- Green Revenue: FTSE Russell Green Revenues Database as first point of call. Internal analyst verification of FTSE analysis, and integration of internal sustainability research into our own view of whether FTSE analysis makes sense as part of one of our nine themes.
- If candidate is not rated by FTSE Russell GR, internal assessment used, following conservative estimate of current revenue base and its link to one (or more) of the 9 themes.
- Carbon Intensity: Trucost Data for entire global universe updated monthly. Trucost data for company is checked against MSCI and internal CO2 emissions estimates. Also, internal analyst work to sense check the data, and anticipate if the CI could change significantly in future (e.g. a business division sale could lower revenues and thus increase CI).
Stage 3: Portfolio Construction and Monitoring
- Portfolio Construction
The portfolio manager aims to build a diversified portfolio that balances climate solution thematic exposure, return potential, and sustainability criteria.
The portfolio aims to be fully invested. Cash positions are neither used strategically nor viewed as a risk management tool. Under normal market conditions, cash is invested as soon as is practically possible in order to minimise the cash drag on our clients’ portfolios. The strategy may invest in index instruments, for example ETFs, to ensure efficient cash management.
- Portfolio Monitoring
The portfolio is monitored and re-assessed continually. Weekly investment team meetings provide a formal forum for investment discussion. Every opportunity is taken to challenge the sustainability of the profitability of individual holdings. We actively monitor and engage with current and prospective portfolio companies, but also benefit from the wider HSBC Asset Management level engagement work on climate change and broader E, S and G topics.
Portfolio Level Engagement
- Ongoing engagement with portfolio companies
- Input into key voting decisions on portfolio companies
Examples:
- We wrote to the management of Weichai Power to discuss some of their ‘S’ and ‘G’ related ESG disclosures
- We encouraged the company to publicly disclose more information on their policies relating to labour management, health & safety, and supply chain vetting
- We also encouraged change in specific areas where we felt the company’s policies were falling short of global best practice
- We held a call with Verisk to discuss the company’s opportunity in providing data analytics services for the energy transition – in line with our renewable energy thematic
- We encouraged the company to be bold in its vision to create ‘the Bloomberg of energy data’ (company’s words), by making renewable energy insights a central tenant of the product offer
Firm Level Engagement
Active ownership, through engagement and global proxy voting, is a key pillar of our approach to responsible investment. Our stewardship activity is focused on protecting and enhancing our clients’ investments with us.
Engagement
We engage with companies on a range of ESG issues and we have a clear set of engagement objectives:
- Improve our understanding of company business and strategy
- Monitor company performance
- Signal support or raise concerns about company management, performance or direction
- Promote good practice
- Recent examples
- In depth research and engagement with companies highly exposed to high use of plastic packaging in their product sales. We encouraged shifts to sustainable packaging materials and reuse-based business models.
- Engagement with largest buyers of commodities from countries experiencing rainforest loss. Asking for stricter monitoring and reporting on deforestation risks, and commitments to reforestation and ceasing business links with known illegal loggers.
Our Engagement Policy applies to both equity and fixed income assets and reflects our adherence to the relevant directives of which we are a signatory and our approach to engagement including:
- Monitoring issuers
- Engagement
- Collective engagement
- Voting
- Conflicts of interest
Proxy Voting
Proxies are voted per internal global policy. Our Voting Guidelines Policy sets out our global voting guidelines, informing our clients, company boards and other stakeholders how we exercise these voting rights.
Key voting issues that inform our engagement activity are listed but not exhaustive and are complemented by a number of tailored voting frameworks to reflect our approach in specific markets:
- Board’s role and leadership
- Board composition and independence
- Board remuneration
- Disclosure and audit
- Capital issues and shareholder rights
Furthermore, these global voting guidelines inform the custom voting recommendations we receive from our external proxy voting research and platform provider. The voting recommendations for active holdings are reviewed by the relevant fund managers, whilst our corporate governance specialists oversee voting for all holdings.
Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:
SBC Asset Management was an early PRI signatory in 2006. As a signatory of the PRI, we work with other investors in leading engagement on a range of issues. We report annually on our responsible investment activities and how UN PRI principles and different ESG aspects are covered as part of our investment processes. We achieved a PRI score of A+ in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 PRI Assessment Report for Strategy and Governance.
In 2010 we made the decision to move our dedicated ESG analysts into our mainstream equity and credit analyst teams in order to further integrate ESG into our mainstream investment processes. Since then, ESG assessments are a core responsibility of all of our portfolio managers and analysts. Our company and issuer level ESG research is undertaken throughout our organisation. All investment staff have sustainable investment responsibilities as part of their investment duties. ESG integration is a core task of all of our equity and credit analysts. The analysts use the research output of our Paris-based ESG research team in their portfolio research and analysis and portfolio managers include ESG considerations within their investment decision-making processes.
We have a dedicated responsible investment specialist team based in London and Paris. Their responsibilities cover our global Responsible Investment strategy and policy as well as the development of investment solutions for our global clients and Responsible Investment implementation. The team also plays an active role in industry engagement and policy and market initiatives to address systemic sustainability challenges. They work very closely with our corporate governance and engagement team based in London and with our ESG research team based in Paris and they work with our portfolio managers and ESG analysts on systemic ESG issues that require system level solutions through market policy and regulation.
We also have a Stewardship team, with members based in London, Paris and Hong Kong, and who work very closely with our investment managers when undertaking our stewardship activities.
We take into account all available company data including ESG factors when making investment decisions across all asset classes and strategies using in-house financial analysis, third party research and data as well as information gathered from company engagement. In addition to our own research we also use third party research and data from the following providers:
- MSCI ESG Research: Intangible Value ESG Assessment, comprehensive ESG assessment and Financial Crime Compliance screening. We use MSCI because their wide coverage of issuers and sector specific methodology
- ISS ESG (formerly ISS Ethix and ISS Oekom): Identifying issuers involved in the production and/or marketing of controversial banned weapons such as cluster munitions and landmine and government bonds' environmental and societal assessment. The specificity of our banned weapons definition can be implemented by ISS as one of the only providers covering government bonds
- Trucost Research: Quantitative environmental data to measure the carbon footprint of companies, issuers and our funds
- Sustainalytics: UNGC compliance and revenues from controversial and sustainable products and activities
- RepRisk: Tracking companies' reputational risk and involvement in ESG-related controversies (implementation in progress). Provides an ongoing view of issuer’s ESG performance, risks, and controversies
- FTSE Green Revenues: Provides revenues breakdown from green activity and its material impact on the bottom line for approximately 3,000 companies
- Carbon4Finance: Measures “carbon emission savings” to help understand a company’s strategic and financial commitment to a low-carbon transition
Collaborative Engagement
We focus on engagement with investee companies but also engage with stakeholders, regulators, industry partners and academics to inform standards and practices that will benefit the long-term interest of our clients.
A combination of the list below, together with local regulators and industry bodies and other institutions, provides an example of where HSBC Group and HSBC Asset Management have memberships and affiliations:
HSBC Asset Management
- UKSIF (the Sustainable and Finance association)
- AFG (Association Française de Gestion Financière) membre de la commission de Corporate Governance
- ORSE (Observatoire pour la Responsabilité Sociétale des Entreprises)
- ICGN (International Corporate Governance Network)
- Eurosif (the European Sustainable Investment Forum)
- FIR (Forum pour l’Investissement Responsable)
- Italian SIF (Italian Forum for Sustainable Finance)
- PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment)
- IIGCC (Institutional Investor Group on Climate Change)
- UK Stewardship Code
- ACGA (Asian Corporate Governance Association)
- Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
- Cambridge Institute of Sustainability leadership- ILG
- Council of Institutional Investors
- Global Climate Action 100+
- One Planet Asset Manager Initiative
- Finance for Biodiversity pledge
- Net Zero Asset Managers’ Initiative
HSBC Group
- UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEPFI)
- UN Global Compact
- Wolfsberg Principles
- OECD Convention on Combating Bribery
- OECD Guidelines for Multinationals
- International Chamber of Commerce Rules of Conduct to Combat Extortion and Bribery
- Global Sullivan Principles
- UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Equator Principles
- Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
- Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS
- Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
- Extractive s/industries’ Transparency Initiative
- UN Principles for Sustainable Insurance
- Cambridge Institute of Sustainability leadership – ILG
SDR Labelling:
Not eligible to use label
Voting Record
Fund Name | SRI Style | SDR Labelling | Product | Region | Asset Type | Launch Date | Last Amended |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HSBC GIF Global Equity Climate Change Fund |
Environmental Style | Not eligible to use label | SICAV/Offshore | Global | Equity | 09/11/2007 | Apr 2023 | |
Fund Size: £189.09m (as at: 30/11/2024) ISIN: LU0323239441, LU2279705532, LU2279703917, LU2279704485 |
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Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG OverviewNo response when requested update from manager (August 2024)
Global Equity Climate Change, a benchmark agnostic fund, aims to provide long term-total return by investing in companies that may benefit from the transition to a low carbon economy. The fund aims to do this with an overall carbon footprint 50% lower and an ESG score 20% higher than the weighted average of the constituents of the MSCI AC World Net index. The fund invests globally, across a range of market capitalisations without any restriction, in individually quoted companies that fit the thematic, sustainability and governance requirements. Absolute sustainability and ESG exclusions: Companies involved in controversies related to the United Nations Global Compact principles. Companies involved in weapon design, manufacture and service. Companies involved in tobacco manufacturing, thermal coal extraction, controversial oil and gas extraction. Companies involved in electricity generation from coal, oil or nuclear.
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Primary fund last amended: Apr 2023 |
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Information received directly from Fund Manager |
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Fund FiltersSustainability - General
Sustainability policy
Funds that have policies that consider (environmental and social) sustainability issues. Strategies vary but are likely to consider environmental issues like climate change, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, resource management, environmental impacts; and social issues like equal opportunities, human rights, labour standards, diversity and adherence to internationally recognised codes. See fund information.
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/
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) focus
Find funds that specifically aim to invest (and manage assets) in ways that help to address all or some of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). See https://sdgs.un.org/goals).
Report against sustainability objectives
Find funds that publicly report their performance against specifically named sustainability objectives (in addition to reporting their financial performance) Environmental - General
Limits exposure to carbon intensive industries
Funds that limit or 'reduce' their exposure to carbon intensive industries (ie sectors which are major contributors to climate change. Funds vary - some funds may be 'underweight' in this area which means they may have some investment in highly carbon intensive areas. Funds of this kind may choose companies they consider to be 'best in sector' and encourage ever higher standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further details.
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.
Plastics policy
Funds that are reviewing or encouraging companies to manage down the overuse of plastics (particularly single use, non-recyclable plastics). These funds will typically aim to encourage the use of alternative materials, but are unlikely to exclude companies purely on the basis of their use of plastics. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail. Nature & Biodiversity
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. 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.
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. Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Tobacco and related product manufacturers excluded
Companies are excluded if they are involved in any aspect of the production chain for tobacco products, including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.
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.
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. 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. 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 higher ESG standards through stewardship activity
A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity Fund Governance
ESG integration strategy
Find funds that factor in 'environmental, social and governance' issues as part of their investment decision making process. A focus on 'ESG' typically means a fund is carrying out additional research to help reduce ESG related risks. It does not necessarily mean a focus on sustainability. Strategies vary. See fund literature. Asset Size
Over 50% large cap companies
Find funds that invests more than half of their money into what are commonly regarded as 'large companies'. This will typically mean that the market capitalisation (or value) of the companies they hold is in excess of £5 to £10 billion.
Invests in small, mid and large cap companies / assets
Find a fund that invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational)companies.
Invests mostly in large cap companies / assets
Find funds that have SRI strategies and focus their investment stock selection on larger companies. (e.g. over circa £5-£10bn) 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.
EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy holdings 5-25% of fund assets
Find funds that have calculated the proportion of fund asset that meet the new EU Taxonomy requirements and that they total 5-25% of assets. This will typically require adding up the proportion of each individual company's activity that is regarded as 'green' so that the fund manager can produce an overall total for the whole fund / portfolio.
EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy holdings >25% of fund assets
Find funds that have calculated the proportion of fund asset that meet the new EU Taxonomy requirements and that they total over 25% of fund assets. This will typically require adding up the proportion of each individual company's activity that is regarded as 'green' so that the fund manager can produce an overall total for the whole fund / portfolio. Impact Methodologies
Aims to generate positive impacts (or 'outcomes')
Funds that aim to help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Measures positive impacts
Funds that aim to measure the positive real world environmental and / or social benefits that are associated with their investment strategy. Funds that aim to deliver positive impacts and measure those impacts may be referred to as 'impact funds' - although impact measurement is not restricted to impact funds. Strategies vary. See fund information.
Positive environmental impact theme
Find funds that specifically set out to help deliver positive environmental impacts, benefits or 'real world' outcomes. 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.
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.
Assets mapped to SDGs
Find funds that have 'mapped' (reviewed) their investment selection and management strategies to identify which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the fund is helping to address.
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.
Norms focus
Find funds that use internationally agreed standards, conventions and 'norms' to help direct where the fund can and cannot invest (e.g. the UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Development Goals). Read fund literature for further information.
Focus on ESG risk mitigation
A major focus of these funds is the careful management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) related risks - typically by avoiding or being underweight in companies seen as posing major risks in these areas (i.e. not necessarily by using themes, exclusions etc). 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 who want to have a positive impact
Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in ‘Impact investment funds’ which help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Available via an ISA (OEIC only)
Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper. Labels & Accreditations
SFDR Article 8 fund / product (EU)
Finds funds classified under Article 8 of the EU’s SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Requirements). Article 8 of the SFDR is a set of requirements that apply to financial products that 'promote' environmental or social characteristics with high governance also. These rules do not currently apply to UK funds so many managers may leave this field blank. Fund Management Company InformationAbout The Business
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.
Senior management KPIs include environmental goals (AFM company wide)
The leadership team of this asset manager have performance targets linked to environmental goals.
SDG aligned aims / objectives (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that aim to align all their investments (across all funds) to help meet the aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Responsible ownership policy for non SRI funds (AFM company wide)
Find funds run by fund managers that apply Responsible ownership or 'Stewardship' policies to all or most of their investment assets. This means active involvement (e.g. voting, dialogue) with the companies they invest in across funds (not normally limited to ethical or SRI options.) Read fund literature for further information.
Integrates ESG factors into all / most (AFM) fund research
Find fund management companies that consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when deciding whether or not to invest in a company for all / almost all of their funds and other assets. This is increasingly seen as part of sound risk management.
In-house diversity improvement programme (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have an in-house (company wide) diversity improvement programme - meaning that they are working to ensure that within their own businesses they employ people from diverse backgrounds - often typically focused on ethnicity and/or sex.
Diversity, equality & inclusion engagement policy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that encourage the companies they invest in to have strong diversity, race, gender and other equality policies across all assets held, not simply screened or themed SRI/ESG funds. (ie Asset Management company wide). Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory
Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.
UKSIF member
Find fund management companies that are members of UKSIF - the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance association
UN Principles of Responsible Banking framework signatory-co wide
This asset manager has signed up to the UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) program which aims to encourage more responsible banking practices – focused on environmental and social issues. 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. 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.
Review(ing) carbon / fossil fuel exposure for all funds (AFM company wide)
Find funds / fund managers that are reviewing, or have reviewed, their exposure to carbon intensive industries including (but not only) mining, oil and gas companies. (Typically with reference to climate change.)
Coal divestment policy (AFM company wide)
This asset manager has a strategy in place that will lead them to exit direct investments in the coal mining industry. Managers ability to do this may depend on the geographic regions in which they invest. 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.
Carbon offsetting – do NOT offset carbon as part of net zero plan (AFM company wide)
This asset management company plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions by reducing their emissions. Calculations and scope vary.
Working towards a ‘Net Zero’ commitment (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund management companies that are in the process of working out how to make a ‘net zero commitment’ - meaning that when that is finalised they will have started the process of reducing their total greenhouse gas emissions to'zero'. Transparency
Publish responsible ownership / stewardship report (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.
Full SRI / responsible ownership policy information on company website
Find companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.
Publish full voting record (AFM company wide)
Fund management companies that publish a full record of how they vote their shares at AGMs (annual general meetings) and EGMs (extraordinary general meetings). Voting strategies have an important role to play encouraging higher environmental, social and governance standards. Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:Our Climate Change Policy outlines an approach to increasing the climate resilience of clients’ investments as well as contributing towards financing the transition to a low carbon economy. In 2015 we signed the Montréal Carbon Pledge. This annual disclosure forms an important part of our commitment to report on actions. We provide an annual report of the carbon footprint of our global equity portfolios in line with the PRI-sponsored Pledge.
A series of sub themes have been identified that we believe encompass the necessary responses to the challenges of climate change. All holdings in the fund are aligned with at least one of these sub themes. The sub themes are:
We selected the sub themes based on internal research, engaging with internal sustainability experts, and external consultation.
Our themes align well with what independent science suggests needs to happen for climate change to be minimised. Project Drawdown have used peer reviewed research to determine the likely impact of possible solutions to climate change. They find that renewable energy, ecosystem restoration, food, and energy efficiency are particularly important solutions due the size of their effects, and their lower cost. Currently, our portfolio aligns well with these findings, but we would hope to add more to the ecosystem restoration and land conservation area as more investment opportunities become apparent in this space. Process:Opportunities we are seeking to meet the Fund’s Objectives
The three stages of the investment process are as follows: Stage 1. Idea Generation There are two stages within our idea generation – theme alignment and fundamental analysis.
We have identified a series of sub themes that we believe encompass the necessary responses to the challenges of climate change. All portfolio holdings are aligned with at least one of these sub themes. The sub themes are:
We selected the sub themes based on internal research, engaging with internal sustainability experts, and external consultation.
All companies that meet the thematic filters are then subject to a rigorous business model analysis, stakeholder due diligence and valuation framework to assess their suitability as potential investments. Business Model Analysis The business model is assessed by analysing sector and company specific process, using our four ‘M’ approach:
Stakeholder Due Diligence Companies do not exist in a vacuum, there are a wide range of environmental, social, and governance stakeholders that a company must consider in order for it to achieve its purpose. We look for evidence of good values, behavior and culture to ensure that no stakeholders are being exploited; Customers, Employees, Board, Shareholders, Creditors, Pensioners, Supplies, Competitors, Environment, Society/Media, Regulator and Government. Valuation Framework: Our approach seeks to understand what is currently discounted in the share price, with reference to what the company has achieved historically, to ensure that the current valuation is appropriate given our assessment of the company’s prospects:
Resources Our fundamental research is internal and proprietary. We take advantage of the firm’s global research capability to access specific knowledge, perspective and on-the-ground insight. The Global Equity team makes several hundred company visits each year, with our scale and reputation allowing direct access to senior management teams around the world. We leverage select external research providers for access to their in-depth insight and understanding, including HSBC Global Research’s Climate Change Centre.
Stage 2: Metric Assessment and Validation Stages 2.1 and 2.2 involve assessing data provider scoring on ESG, carbon intensity, and green revenue scores, and validating the scoring.
Stage 3: Portfolio Construction and Monitoring
The portfolio manager aims to build a diversified portfolio that balances climate solution thematic exposure, return potential, and sustainability criteria. The portfolio aims to be fully invested. Cash positions are neither used strategically nor viewed as a risk management tool. Under normal market conditions, cash is invested as soon as is practically possible in order to minimise the cash drag on our clients’ portfolios. The strategy may invest in index instruments, for example ETFs, to ensure efficient cash management.
The portfolio is monitored and re-assessed continually. Weekly investment team meetings provide a formal forum for investment discussion. Every opportunity is taken to challenge the sustainability of the profitability of individual holdings. We actively monitor and engage with current and prospective portfolio companies, but also benefit from the wider HSBC Asset Management level engagement work on climate change and broader E, S and G topics. Portfolio Level Engagement
Examples:
Firm Level Engagement Active ownership, through engagement and global proxy voting, is a key pillar of our approach to responsible investment. Our stewardship activity is focused on protecting and enhancing our clients’ investments with us. Engagement We engage with companies on a range of ESG issues and we have a clear set of engagement objectives:
Our Engagement Policy applies to both equity and fixed income assets and reflects our adherence to the relevant directives of which we are a signatory and our approach to engagement including:
Proxy Voting Proxies are voted per internal global policy. Our Voting Guidelines Policy sets out our global voting guidelines, informing our clients, company boards and other stakeholders how we exercise these voting rights.
Key voting issues that inform our engagement activity are listed but not exhaustive and are complemented by a number of tailored voting frameworks to reflect our approach in specific markets:
Furthermore, these global voting guidelines inform the custom voting recommendations we receive from our external proxy voting research and platform provider. The voting recommendations for active holdings are reviewed by the relevant fund managers, whilst our corporate governance specialists oversee voting for all holdings.
Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:SBC Asset Management was an early PRI signatory in 2006. As a signatory of the PRI, we work with other investors in leading engagement on a range of issues. We report annually on our responsible investment activities and how UN PRI principles and different ESG aspects are covered as part of our investment processes. We achieved a PRI score of A+ in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 PRI Assessment Report for Strategy and Governance.
In 2010 we made the decision to move our dedicated ESG analysts into our mainstream equity and credit analyst teams in order to further integrate ESG into our mainstream investment processes. Since then, ESG assessments are a core responsibility of all of our portfolio managers and analysts. Our company and issuer level ESG research is undertaken throughout our organisation. All investment staff have sustainable investment responsibilities as part of their investment duties. ESG integration is a core task of all of our equity and credit analysts. The analysts use the research output of our Paris-based ESG research team in their portfolio research and analysis and portfolio managers include ESG considerations within their investment decision-making processes.
We have a dedicated responsible investment specialist team based in London and Paris. Their responsibilities cover our global Responsible Investment strategy and policy as well as the development of investment solutions for our global clients and Responsible Investment implementation. The team also plays an active role in industry engagement and policy and market initiatives to address systemic sustainability challenges. They work very closely with our corporate governance and engagement team based in London and with our ESG research team based in Paris and they work with our portfolio managers and ESG analysts on systemic ESG issues that require system level solutions through market policy and regulation.
We also have a Stewardship team, with members based in London, Paris and Hong Kong, and who work very closely with our investment managers when undertaking our stewardship activities. We take into account all available company data including ESG factors when making investment decisions across all asset classes and strategies using in-house financial analysis, third party research and data as well as information gathered from company engagement. In addition to our own research we also use third party research and data from the following providers:
Collaborative Engagement We focus on engagement with investee companies but also engage with stakeholders, regulators, industry partners and academics to inform standards and practices that will benefit the long-term interest of our clients. A combination of the list below, together with local regulators and industry bodies and other institutions, provides an example of where HSBC Group and HSBC Asset Management have memberships and affiliations:
HSBC Asset Management
HSBC Group
SDR Labelling:Not eligible to use label Voting Record |