Sustainable Investment Instruments

Screening

We believe that companies and sectors will be better prepared for the future if they not only take ESG related risks into account, but also contribute actively to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). That is why we want to invest actively in these companies. We specifically screen for SDGs, planetary boundaries and the ACTIAM Fundamental Investment Principles. Our active approach enables us to select companies that score highly on these aspects.

Engagement

We conduct hundreds of engagement conversations each year to create an upward movement of companies and countries in ACTIAM's Sustainability Framework. Starting engagement means entering into a dialogue with a company to influence its behaviour. It can be conducted either as a response to specific incidents or proactively to address solutions that would steer companies towards ACTIAM's acceptable investment universe.

Clear targets are set and milestones are formulated during an engagement process, in order to monitor change.

View the list of most recent engagements

Voting

As a shareholder, we vote in principle at all shareholders' meetings. When necessary, we submit our own resolutions, which can be on specific ESG-related subjects such as remuneration based on a sustainability performance. We either file these resolutions independently or we join forces with others (co-filing) when this may benefit the result.

View the ACTIAM voting results.

ESG integration

We integrate ESG criteria into the investment process, which is demonstrated in a relative company ESG score. We also apply such scores to countries. The higher the score, the lower the risk. The score also reflects on how a company or country is performing. Naturally, our focus themes of Climate (CO₂ emissions), Water and Land are also sufficiently taken into account. The ESG score of the portfolio measured to market value must always exceed the benchmark. Our portfolio managers know that they have to realise a positive difference in ESG scores.

Structure ESG score

The ESG score is built up from:

1. Base scores: we review companies on aspects that are relevant to the sector and/or company. This review is carried out by the external data supplier MSCI ESG Research  A decisivefactor for the scores is the risk versus the management of the relevant aspects.
2. Sector score: to compare companies in different sectors, we use the quantitative negative or positive impact on our focus themes of Climate (CO₂ emission), Water (water use in water scarce regions) and Land (deforestation). Examples of sectors with a negative impact are oil, gas & fuels, metals & mining and utilities. Sectors with a positive impact are, for example, sustainable energy and software & services.
3. Analysts score: next, we take our own view on the sustainability performance of companies into account when determining the final ESG score. Companies with which we are under responsive engagement will be given a lower ESG score. Pioneering companies or those which contribute to our focus themes and/or the SDGs will be included in the portfolio.

Exclusion

Weapons manufacturers, manufacturers of cluster bombs, tobacco producing companies and companies involved in animal testing that do not comply with our norm are excluded. Exclusion is the last resort we deploy. We prefer to initiate engagement to realise a change in behaviour.

View the list of Excluded Companies

View the list of Excluded Sovereigns

Impact investing

Our impact investing team has a proven financial and social track record. Through impact investing, we offer scalable investment solutions, predominantly in emerging and developing economies. This positive and measurable impact allows us to contribute, for instance, to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.