Our ethical approach means there are some sectors we don’t invest in. For example, we have never invested in tobacco.
Reinvesting money into sustainable companies is the smart thing to do - it ensures money is driving a better future.
We believe our purpose as ethical investors is to earn an attractive return by funding the positive transformation the world needs.
Our Charter established the foundation for how we invest and how we’ve always invested. It guides us in seeking out investments to support, and those to avoid.
We only make investments that we believe are aligned with our ethical principles, laid out in the Ethical Charter, in 1986. In essence, these principles provide a tried and tested framework for examining whether a company is part of a path to a better future for people, animals and the environment.
Sometimes there will be destructive companies and sectors where we're more than happy to be black and white in our thinking. For example, we don't invest in tobacco, coal mining companies or nuclear weapon companies. We apply exclusionary thresholds to all of these negative activities.*
Our drive for meaningful change doesn't stop at investing. It's a responsibility of ethical investors to practice active shareholder ownership and advocacy. Our ethical investment voice can, and does, influence companies and governments to change for the better.
Engaging with companies helps us build a deeper understanding of their positive and negative impacts, and any obstacles to a more sustainable future.
As shareholders, we actively engage in shareholder resolutions and vote for the changes we want to see.
We may divest our holding if a company does not meet our stringent ethical criteria. Divesting can help start real conversations for change, trigger chain reactions and grab headlines.
*Learn more about our thresholds here.