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Our commitment to responsible investing

Equity Trustees has a deep commitment to responsible investing, which is closely aligned with our position as an independent trustee – a role that attracts the highest fiduciary standards of care. It is also aligned with our investment philosophy to preserve and grow the real value of capital over the long term.

We believe companies that demonstrate strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices tend have more sustainable and robust business operations. From a performance perspective, integrating ESG principles into investment analysis and decisions can help to enhance both the ability to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns, while driving positive social and environmental outcomes.

In achieving our purpose and fiduciary responsibilities, we believe we have a crucial role to play as stewards of our clients’ assets.

Our approach

Our responsible investment framework is fully embedded into our investment and fund selection process across asset classes and delivered through a range of approaches spanning ESG integration, engagement with companies on ESG issues, exercising of our proxy voting rights, ethical investing, support for sustainable organisations and impact investing.

Our responsible investment approach is illustrated below:

Responsible Investing Approach

Equity Trustees Asset Management is a proud member of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) and a signatory to the United Nations-supported Principals for Responsible Investment (PRI). As a PRI signatory, we report regularly on our responsible investing approach and are assessed on our implementation.

Our membership allows us to remain at the forefront of developments in the responsible investing sector. We continue to develop our approach to responsible investing across different asset classes as practices evolve.

You can read more about our responsible investment policy here.

 

OUR RESPONSIBLE INVESTING FRAMEWORK
ESG Integration

We identify, assess and integrate material ESG risks and opportunities in fundamental analysis and interactions with companies. ESG integration is applied across a range of our internally managed investment offerings, and forms a key component of our new investment manager selection process. We use specialist external research providers to inform our views.
Engagement

We believe this is a valuable tool in generating long-term value for our clients and driving real world impact. Through our engagement activities we aim to better understand ESG risks and opportunities highlighted through the ESG analysis process, and to positively influence company behaviours and outcomes.

 Proxy Voting

We intend to vote on all company resolutions put forward to shareholders. Our analysts assess all company resolutions on a case-by-case basis. To enhance this process, we have appointed an external proxy voting adviser.

Negative Screening

For clients that are looking to align their investments with their ethical beliefs and values we offer investments with negative screens, excluding companies considered to have undesirable business practices.

Sustainable Investing

We offer investments that aim to direct capital to companies that progress positive economic, environmental and social outcomes through the advancement of one of more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's).

Impact Investing

We have clients who wish to participate in impact investments, often viewed as complimentary to their philanthropic activities and in alignment with their values. We asses impact investment opportunities on a case by case basis driven by client demand.

 

Our sustainability focus

The United Nations created 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 to help all countries direct their efforts towards ending poverty, improving health and education, reducing inequality, spurring economic growth and tackling climate change. 

We believe these goals are a good framework to assess and define a company’s positive impact. Our Responsible Investment Australian Share Fund and Responsible Investment Global Share Fund invest in companies that support these goals. More information on how these Funds seek to progress the SDGs can be found here.

More information on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is available here.

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Source: United Nations

 

Responsible investment offerings

Equity Trustees offers two flagship responsible investing funds which are RIAA certified: the EQT Responsible Investment Australian Share Fund and the EQT Responsible Investment Global Share Fund.

 

EQT Responsible Investment
Australian Share Fund

  • A diversified portfolio of 20-40 Australian listed companies that offer attractive investment returns, strong ESG practices, and a positive impact on society by supporting one or more of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Does not invest in companies that generate more than 10% of revenue from business activities such as gaming, alcohol, tobacco*, weapons*, or adult entertainment.
  • Received RIAA Certification in December 2022, which recognises our high responsible investing standards.
  • Benchmark: S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index.

 

 

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RI Certified logo

 

EQT Responsible Investment
Global Share Fund

  • A multi-manager offering invested across a wide range of international share markets, targeting managers that possess superior capability in investment process and a demonstrated focus on integrating responsible investing principles such as ESG integration, corporate engagement, proxy voting and negative screening*.
  • Sustainable equity funds are viewed favourably in the manager selection process. Higher scores and priority are assigned to managers with a demonstrated and consistent process in selecting sustainable companies that have positive contribution to one or more of the SDGs.
  • Received RIAA Certification in May 2023, which recognises our high responsible investing standards.
  • Benchmark: MSCI World Index net dividends reinvested (AUD).

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RI Certified logo

 

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