Responsible Investing
Responsible investment considers a range of environmental, social, governance (ESG) and climate factors in conjunction with normal financial analysis.
At Colonial First State, we define responsible investment as a strategy and practice that incorporates a range of ESG and climate-related factors in the investment decision-making process.
We also believe that as stewards of your investments, investing responsibly is about the careful execution of our investment duties on your behalf. Our beliefs are driven by our guiding principles of integrity, balance, transparency, and focus – and these shape our six strategic pillars.
Our beliefs
- Good investment management of ESG and climate risks can improve the potential long-term performance of companies and, as a result, also improve returns for members.
- Climate is a financial risk that will have economic and social impact and needs to be managed.
- Active ownership (for example, working with investment managers to vote on our behalf at shareholder meetings for the companies we’re invested in) can lead to better long-term return
Our guiding principles
Integrity
The interests of members and our fiduciary duties are at the heart of everything we do.
Balance
We listen carefully to all sides of the conversation to continually deepen our understanding.
Transparency
We clearly explain the basis of our decisions and our progress on our Responsible Investment Policy.
Focus
We strive to offer meaningful responsible investment strategies to help support investment choices.
Our commitments
We are committed to understanding your ESG and climate change concerns and reflect the growing public awareness of these issues through the development of innovative products and services.
Our team places ESG considerations at the heart of our decision-making and active ownership practices and looks to engage with companies and investment managers to encourage the disclosure of ESG and climate risks. Ultimately we seek to ensure sustainable, long-term wealth creation, protection and enhancement by understanding and assessing these risks and opportunities.
Together, our team can help you create meaningful change – not only for your financial future, but to achieve positive social and environmental impact as well.
Our approach
Embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into the investment process is no longer just a trend – it is simply what we do.
Colonial First State’s approach to asset stewardship and delivering sustainable investment outcomes is driven by our beliefs and outlined in our Responsible Investment Policy.
In order to incorporate ESG and climate risk considerations into our existing investment decision-making and active ownership practices, we follow some general principles.
Our approach centres around six strategic pillars:
ESG and climate change factors are integrated into the investment decision-making process through an analysis of the investments in our portfolios. This is done prior to appointing any investment manager and on an ongoing basis. Colonial First State’s approach is to:
Refer to graphic below
Identify
We identify the ESG and climate risks and opportunities of each portfolio.
Understand
We seek to understand the drivers of these risks and opportunities, and what our investment managers are doing to manage them.
Action
We take appropriate actions (that is, how we choose to engage with investment managers and, where appropriate, seek change).
Report
We report internally on the ESG and climate risks within each portfolio.
Disclosure
We have committed to being transparent regarding how we manage ESG considerations and to also annually disclose our progress against our commitments, aligning our reporting with established standards.
Monitor
We carefully track the ESG and climate risks and opportunities for each portfolio on an ongoing basis.
Improve
We will manage, reduce and/or mitigate the ESG and climate risks of each portfolio over time.
Our team has a responsibility to allocate our customers' capital to productive purposes in the pursuit of sustainable, long-term investing. As a result, we believe it is part of our stewardship role to exercise our rights as shareholder. This includes voting on how a company operates its business and engaging with our managers to encourage change.
In general, we will not take a position on, or make judgement of, an ethical or socially responsible issue unless it is specific to our investment strategy. However, there may be some ESG risks, ethical issues and circumstances in which we believe it is appropriate to take action, whether that’s through the use of negative screens, exclusions or active engagement with our investment managers.
At Colonial First State, we believe modern slavery has no place in society and we all share the responsibility to eradicate it as a matter of priority. Aside from the huge impacts on society and, of course, the individuals involved, modern slavery has negative repercussions for companies and future development. Any company that profits from using forced labour is doing so illegally. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean it isn't happening. In fact, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), total profits obtained from the use of forced labour in the private economy worldwide is estimated to be around US$150 billion per year.
Our team recognises that poor company management of climate change risks could result in financial losses, litigation liabilities, and the devaluation of tangible and intangible assets – all of which could impact shareholder value and increase the volatility of investor returns.
Our journey to become a more responsible investor began in in 2015 with work that led to our Responsible Investment Framework. This has evolved and continues today with the renewal of our commitment in our Responsible Investment Policy. By continuing the disclosure of our journey through communication and education, we aim to provide customers with the means for sustainable, long-term wealth protection and enhancement
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Information on this webpage is provided by Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979, AFSL 245531 (AIL) and Colonial First State Investments Limited ABN 98 002 348 352, AFSL 232468 (CFSIL). It may include general advice but does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances. You can find the Target Market Determinations (TMD) for our financial products at www.cfs.com.au/tmd, which include a description of who a financial product might suit. You should read the Financial Services Guide (FSG) available online for information about our services. This information is based on current requirements and laws as at the date of publication.
Tax considerations are general and based on present tax laws and may be subject to change. You should seek independent, professional tax advice before making any decision based on this information. AIL and CFSIL are not registered tax (financial) advisers under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 and you should seek tax advice from a registered tax agent or a registered tax (financial) adviser if you intend to rely on this information to satisfy the liabilities or obligations or claim entitlements that arise under a tax law.
Things you should know
Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979, AFSL 245531 (AIL) is the trustee of the Colonial First State FirstChoice Superannuation Trust ABN 26 458 298 557 and issuer of FirstChoice range of super and pension products. Colonial First State Investments Limited ABN 98 002 348 352, AFSL 232468 (CFSIL) is the responsible entity and issuer of products made available under FirstChoice Investments and FirstChoice Wholesale Investments.
Information on this webpage is provided by AIL and CFSIL. It may include general advice but does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances. You can find the target market determinations (TMD) for our financial products at https://www.cfs.com.au/tmd which include a description of who a financial product might suit. You should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Financial Services Guide (FSG) carefully, assess whether the information is appropriate for you, and consider talking to a financial adviser before making an investment decision. You can get the PDS and FSG at www.cfs.com.au or by calling us on 13 13 36.