Asset managers typically identify a subset of sustainability focus areas that are of strategic importance their thematic research and company engagement/asset stewardship work.
These areas are both potentially material to the managers investment goals and important from a systemic perspective of delivering sustainable outcomes. The themes will typically touch all investment teams to varying degrees depending on asset class, geography, and investment style and strategy.
Here's a quick look at how some asset managers approach them.
Generation Investment Management
Generation IM have established five clear societal objectives to help achieve by 2025 themes, focused carbon prices, an inclusive transition, net zero, deforestation, and capital allocation.
In addition, the Generation Foundation funds organizations targeting transformational change in addressing inequality and climate change. The foundation focusses on investor climate action, climate risk and pricing, gender inclusion and empowerment, and action on economic inequality.
Morgan Stanly Investment Management
MSIM focuses on 4 priority themes outlined below: de-carbonization & climate risk, circular economy & waste reduction, diverse & inclusive business, decent work & resilient jobs.
Reference: https://www.morganstanley.com/im/en-dk/institutional-investor/about-us/sustainable-investing.html
[No Name] Investment Management
NIM focuses on 5 priority themes: climate change, human capital management, human rights, board quality and shareholder rights.
These themes were chosen based on investment relevance across multiple asset classes (real assets, real estate, fixed income, equities) where NIM can develop a comprehensive thought leadership approach. Ultimately, these are these where NIM feels they can make a real difference. NIM also recognizes that some hot-button topics on engagement issues are not for us.
Each theme is analyzed in the context of description, the NIM difference, relevant products, alignment with the firm and media ready topics.
CERES
Ceres is a not-for-profit that advances leadership among investors, companies and capital market influencers to drive solutions and take action on the world's most pressing sustainability issues. The NGO focusses on 6 key themes: advancing climate solution, protecting global water resources, building a just and inclusive economy, accelerating sustainable capital markets, protecting and restoring life on land, and advocating for smart public policy.
Reference: https://www.ceres.org/homepage
Newton Investment Management priority engagement themes
Each year, we define priority engagement themes which reflect the issues we believe to be most material to companies’ risks and opportunity sets over the long term. Our seven priority engagement themes for 2022 are set out on here: net zero, biodiversity, circular economy 7 resource efficiency, human capital, cybersecurity, food sustainability, control and regulation.
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