AXA ACT Framlington Clean Economy Fund
SRI Style:
Environmental Style
SDR Labelling:
Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics
Product:
OEIC
Fund Region:
Global
Fund Asset Type:
Equity
Launch Date:
02/01/1986
Last Amended:
Oct 2023
Dialshifter (
):
Fund Size:
£60.29m
(as at: 30/11/2022)
Total Screened Themed SRI Assets:
£426025.69m
Total Responsible Ownership Assets:
£426025.69m
Total Assets Under Management:
£702579.79m
ISIN:
GB00B7G8XW93, GB00BRJZVM34, GB0003499851, GB0003499745, GB00BP0TM273, GB00BP0TM380
Contact Us:
Objectives:
The aim of this Fund is to provide long-term capital growth over a period of 5 years or more and to seek to achieve a sustainable investment objective, in line with a responsible investment approach.
Sustainable, Responsible
&/or ESG Overview:
Awaiting update from fund manager (November 2024)
The AXA ACT Framlington Clean Economy strategy has a dual objective of seeking to achieve long-term financial return and seeking to deliver a positive and measurable impact on the environment. The AXA ACT Framlington Clean Economy strategy aims to contribute to the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions by investing in listed companies whose activities improve resource sustainability, support the energy transition or address issues of natural resources and food scarcity, addressing the environmentally focussed UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Primary fund last amended:
Oct 2023
Information directly from fund manager.
Fund Filters
Sustainability - General
Funds that have policies that consider (environmental and social) sustainability issues. Strategies vary but are likely to consider environmental issues like climate change, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, resource management, environmental impacts; and social issues like equal opportunities, human rights, labour standards, diversity and adherence to internationally recognised codes. See fund information.
Find funds which substantially focus on sustainability issues
Find funds where there is a significant emphasis on (environmental and social) sustainability. Funds with a 'sustainability theme' typically place more emphasis on the area than funds with a 'sustainability policy' - meaning that it is more likely to drive investment selection. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Find funds that have documented policies or thematic investment approaches relating to investment in more sustainable, greener transport methods. These will typically set out a preference for companies that run, enable or support more sustainable methods of transport. See fund information for further detail.
A core element of these funds aim to encourage higher sustainability standards across business practices through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity
Find funds that use the UN Global Compact to inform or help direct where they can or cannot invest and will typically not invest in companies with significant breaches (low standards) - although strategies vary. (The UNGC covers a wide range of issues - search 'UNGC'). See https://unglobalcompact.org/
Find funds that specifically aim to invest (and manage assets) in ways that help to address all or some of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). See https://sdgs.un.org/goals).
The delivery of the shift to a sustainable future is a core feature of this fund and its investment strategy. See eg https://www.transitionpathwayinitiative.org/
Find funds that publicly report their performance against specifically named sustainability objectives (in addition to reporting their financial performance)
Fund has a theme or investment strand focused on the shift to a circular economy (where products are reused and recycled not incinerated or dumped). See eg https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview
Environmental - General
Funds that have policies which relate to environmental issues. These will typically set out the fund's stance on issues such as pollution, climate change, resource management, biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, plastics and/or additional environmental impacts. Strategies vary. See fund information for further information.
Find funds that have a policy or theme that relates to managing natural resources more efficiently. Funds with this policy will be likely to favour companies that make (or enable the) more efficient use of resources - and either avoid or encourage change amongst companies with lower standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Funds that aim to invest in companies with strong or market leading environmental policies and practices. Strategies vary - in particular the balance between 'financial' aspects and environmental benefits. Some may invest substantially in solutions or 'positive impact' companies - others may invest in more conventional companies providing certain environmental criteria are met. See fund information for further detail.
Find funds that have a written policy or theme on waste management - typically a view to encouraging higher levels of recycling and better efficiency / reducing waste.
Funds that are reviewing or encouraging companies to manage down the overuse of plastics (particularly single use, non-recyclable plastics). These funds will typically aim to encourage the use of alternative materials, but are unlikely to exclude companies purely on the basis of their use of plastics. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Nature & Biodiversity
Find funds that have a written biodiversity policy or theme aimed at encouraging and improving environmental protection and safeguarding the natural world (sometimes referred to as the preservation or enhancement of 'natural capital'). See eg https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity
A significant focus on investments that aim to protect, improve and, or restore natural habitat.
Fund has a significant focus or emphasis on investment in nature and biodiversity related opportunities
Fund has a nature or biodiversity policy which sets out their expectations of investee assets - typically meaning the fund will not invest in assets with poor standards. See fund information.
Find funds that have policies in place designed to ensure they do not invest in companies that are significantly involved in deforestation. This typically relates to palm oil plantations where biodiversity loss is a major concern (as well as other issues). Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Find funds that have policies in place explaining that they avoid companies involved in illegal and/or unsustainable deforestation. This may relate to palm oil, cattle farming or other concerns. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Fund has a responsible palm oil policy which is likely to focus on the producers of palm oil and deforestation issues with a view to informing investment decisions (and / or engagement) to support and encourage high standards.
A significant focus on the investments that aim to take better care of the marine environment – both for wildlife and the people whose livelihoods directly depend on it.
Climate Change & Energy
Funds that have policies (documented strategies that explain their position on) climate change related issues such as greenhouse gas/carbon emissions, net zero, transitioning to lower carbon. Strategies vary. Read fund details for further information.
Funds that avoid investing in major coal, oil and/or gas (extraction) companies. Funds vary: some may exclude all companies that extract oil. Others may have exposure to oil extraction via more diversified energy companies. See fund literature to confirm details.
Funds that avoid companies involved in fracking and tar sands - which are widely regarded as controversial methods of oil and gas extraction. Strategies vary. See fund information for further information.
Funds that avoid companies that are involved in extracting oil from the Arctic regions. See fund literature for further details.
Funds that avoid investing in companies with coal, oil and gas reserves. See fund information for further details.
Find funds where investment in clean / renewable energy companies an other assets is central to their investment selection strategy. The proportion of the fund that is directly or indirectly invested in renewable energy varies between funds and over time. See fund information for further details.
A core element of these funds will aim to encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity
Fund funds that have an energy efficiency theme - typically meaning that a fund manager is focused on investing in organisations that manage - or help others to manage - energy use more carefully and less wastefully - and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Funds that hold companies in the clean energy and renewable energy sectors (at the time research was supplied). Fund strategies vary, in particular the proportion of investment in these areas may vary significantly. Check fund literature for details.
Social / Employment
Find funds that have policies which set out their approach to social issues (e.g. human rights, labour standards, equal opportunities, child labour and adherence to internationally recognised codes such as the UN Global Compact). Funds with social policies typically avoid companies with low standards or work to encourage higher standards. See fund information for detail.
Find funds that have a labour standards policy - which can be expected to mean that the fund will invest in / favour companies that have higher standards in this area - although fund strategies can vary significantly (as with all policy areas). See eg https://www.ilo.org/international-labour-standards
Find funds that invest in line with positive strategies that relate to 'people' issues - such as having strong human rights, labour standards and equal opportunities practices. Such funds are likely to invest in companies that have market leading standards with regard to employee and supplier practices. Read fund literature for further information.
Find individual funds that have a written diversity policy – where the fund manager will aim to select companies with a carefully considered, sound approach to diversity. This should ideally cover a range of issues including gender, ethnicity, disability, beliefs, sexual orientation, etc.
Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Find funds that have policies that set out their position on ethical or 'personal values' based issues. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Companies are excluded if they are involved in any aspect of the production chain for tobacco products, including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.
Find funds that avoid companies that manufacture products intended specifically for military use. Fund strategies vary - particularly with regard to non-strategic military products. See fund literature for fund specific details.
Human Rights
Find funds that have policies relating to human rights issues. Funds of this kind typically require companies to demonstrate higher standards, although some fund managers work to encourage improvements. Investee companies are often judged against internationally agreed norms or standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Find funds that have policies in place to ensure they do not invest in companies that employ children.
Find funds with policies that exclude companies or other assets where regimes are not democratic, or where people may be oppressed. May use eg. Freedom House research. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Find funds that have policies or a theme that relates to the responsible management of supply chains. These may relate to employment issues, notably people employed by their suppliers, as well as the sourcing of materials and products. See fund literature for further information.
The fund has a policy which excludes assets with involvement in Modern Slavery
Meeting Peoples' Basic Needs
Find funds that have policies or themes that set out their position on investment in the water sector and/or sanitation. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Fund focuses on (ie directs a significant proportion of its investment towards) green infrastructure, eg the clean energy supply chain. See fund details.
Fund has a theme that may direct investment towards newer forms of food such as plant based meat alternatives. A fund may have one or many themes. See fund information.
Fund has a responsible food production or agriculture theme or strand of investment. Funds may have a single theme or many themes. See fund information.
Gilts & Sovereigns
Find funds that avoid investing in 'some' gilts or government bonds. Strategies vary, but this may relate to avoiding specific countries or particular reasons for bond issuance. 'Green gilts' for example would be likely to be acceptable. See fund literature for further information.
Find funds that do not invest in, or exclude, gilts and/or government bonds.
Governance & Management
Find fund options that have policies that relate to corporate governance issues such as board structure, executive remuneration, bribery and/or corporate corruption. These funds will typically avoid companies with poor practices. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Find funds that aim to avoid investing in companies with poor governance practices.(e.g. board structure, management practices etc.) Views may however vary on what counts as 'poor' practices - and funds may not immediately divest as they may prefer to work to encourage higher standards. See fund literature for further information.
Exclude companies that are subject to United Nations sanctions. See eg https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list
Find funds that have policies explaining how managers will respond to assets / companies that do not comply with relevant anti-bribery and anti-corruption standards or laws. Strategies vary; options include stewardship/ engagement and divestment - or a combination. See fund literature for further information.
Fund managers encourage the companies they invest in to have more diverse board structures (e.g. more women on boards)
A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity
Fund Governance
Find funds that factor in 'environmental, social and governance' issues as part of their investment decision making process. A focus on 'ESG' typically means a fund is carrying out additional research to help reduce ESG related risks. It does not necessarily mean a focus on sustainability. Strategies vary. See fund literature.
Asset Size
Find a fund that invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational)companies.
Targeted Positive Investments
Find funds that invest >25% of their capital towards companies where a major part of their business is focused on helping to address environmental or social challenges.
Find funds that invest >50% of their capital in companies where a major part of their business is focused on helping to address environmental or social challenges.
Find funds that have calculated the proportion of fund asset that meet the new EU Taxonomy requirements and that they total 5-25% of assets. This will typically require adding up the proportion of each individual company's activity that is regarded as 'green' so that the fund manager can produce an overall total for the whole fund / portfolio.
Impact Methodologies
Funds that aim to help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Funds that aim to measure the positive real world environmental and / or social benefits that are associated with their investment strategy. Funds that aim to deliver positive impacts and measure those impacts may be referred to as 'impact funds' - although impact measurement is not restricted to impact funds. Strategies vary. See fund information.
Funds that are specifically marketed as ‘Impact investments funds' will work to deliver both financial performance and specific, measurable positive, real world social and/or environmental benefits. Strategies vary.
Find funds that specifically set out to help deliver positive environmental impacts, benefits or 'real world' outcomes.
Find funds that direct investment towards companies where a major part of their business is about solving environmental challenges. e.g. companies helping to address climate change.
Find funds that specifically set out to invest in companies that are regarded as 'disrupting' existing business practices - typically through the development of innovative (sustainability aware) products and/or practices.
How The Fund Works
Find funds that focus on finding and investing in companies with positive / beneficial attributes. This strategy can be applied in addition to exclusion criteria and engagement/stewardship activity.
Find funds where their main 'ethical approach' is to avoid companies by using negative screening criteria. Read fund literature for further information.
Find funds that invest more heavily in those that have higher ESG ratings/standards or scores and less heavily in companies with lower ESG ratings. Where this is central to a fund's strategy you should expect it to invest in most sectors. Strategies vary.
Aims to avoid companies that do significant harm. This originates from the EU’s sustainable finance ‘DNSH’ (do no significant harm) work, which is not necessarily used by UK investors.
Find funds that have 'mapped' (reviewed) their investment selection and management strategies to identify which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the fund is helping to address.
Find funds that make significant use of internationally agreed 'norms' (e.g. United Nations Global Compact - UNGC - or the UN Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs) as part of their investment selection process alongside additional SRI criteria such as positive or negative stock selection policies and/or stewardship strategies.
Find funds that have an ESG strategy (which is typically focused on avoiding companies that pose environmental, social or governance related risks) with additional criteria such as positive and/or negative screens, themes and stewardship strategies.
Find funds that consider both the 'positive' and 'negative' aspects of company behaviour and make balanced, considered decisions as part of their investment approach. May apply to a range of different issues and policy areas.
Find funds that have published explanations of their ethical, social and/or environmental policies online (i.e. fund decision making strategies/ buy/sell &/or asset management strategies).
This fund does (and has recently) invested in newly listed companies other assets (eg bonds) which are significantly focused on the provision of products and/or services which are designed to solve environmental and/or social problems.
This fund has changed its mandate. It was previously not an ESG/sustainable fund. The information published here shows the upgraded fund strategy.
Unscreened Assets & Cash
All assets held in the fund - except cash - meet the sustainability criteria published in fund documentation.
Intended Clients & Product Options
Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in sustainability issues.
Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in ‘Impact investment funds’ which help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Finds those that offer an SRI / ESG portfolio option
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Find service providers who offer multiple SRI / ESG portfolio options
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Find service providers who offer bespoke ('personalised') SRI / ESG portfolio options
Labels & Accreditations
Finds funds classified under Article 9 of the EU’s SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Requirements). Article 9 of the SFDR applies to financial products that have sustainable investment 'objectives' - including emissions reduction objectives. (These may currently be referred to as 'impact' funds or aiming to deliver clear, specific positive outcomes.) These rules do not currently apply in the UK so fund managers may leave this field blank.
Fund Management Company Information
About The Business
Finds fund management companies that have a published company wide stewardship, engagement and / or responsible ownership policy or strategy that covers all investments. Stewardship typically involves encouraging higher ESG standards through voting and dialogue.
Find fund management companies that actively encourage higher 'environmental, social and governance' and/or 'sustainable and responsible investment' practices across investee companies - typically where the aim is to encourage positive change that is aligned with the best interests of investors. Strategies vary. See additional information and options.
Find fund managers that vote all* the shares they own at Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings. A commitment to voting shares is a key indicator of 'responsible share ownership' demonstrating their support for or disagreement with management policy. (*situations can legitimately, occasionally occur where voting proves impossible, but in principle all shares should be voted.)
Find fund managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.
Find fund management companies that take sustainability criteria into account when selecting and/or managing all of their property / real estate investments.
The leadership team of this asset manager have performance targets linked to environmental goals.
Find fund management companies that aim to align all their investments (across all funds) to help meet the aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Find funds run by fund managers that apply Responsible ownership or 'Stewardship' policies to all or most of their investment assets. This means active involvement (e.g. voting, dialogue) with the companies they invest in across funds (not normally limited to ethical or SRI options.) Read fund literature for further information.
Find fund management companies that consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when deciding whether or not to invest in a company for all / almost all of their funds and other assets. This is increasingly seen as part of sound risk management.
Finds organisations / fund managers that have an in-house (company wide) diversity improvement programme - meaning that they are working to ensure that within their own businesses they employ people from diverse backgrounds - often typically focused on ethnicity and/or sex.
Find fund management companies that encourage the companies they invest in to have strong diversity, race, gender and other equality policies across all assets held, not simply screened or themed SRI/ESG funds. (ie Asset Management company wide).
This asset management company invests in companies which have recently listed on a stock exchange (which is important as it can help grow new businesses).
Asset management company has investments in bonds designed to meet sustainability requirements - however these assets may not be 'ringfenced' for this purpose. See fund manager website for details.
Fund management entity offers unstructured intermediary training on sustainable investment (ie for financial advisers and wealth managers)
Collaborations & Affiliations
Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.
Find fund management companies that are members of UKSIF - the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance association
A member of the Taskforce for Nature Related Financial Disclosures group which aims to aid risk management and shift money towards nature-positive outcomes.
Fund management entity is a member of the Investment Association https://www.theia.org/
Resources
Find fund management companies that employ people to steer and support fund managers in voting shares at company AGM's and EGMs in ways that are consistent with encouraging higher ESG/sustainability standards.
Find a fund management company that directly employs specialist ESG/SRI/sustainability researchers or analysts. This allows asset managers to discuss environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities directly with companies.
Find fund management companies that makes use of expert external research companies. This can help deliver specialist expertise and means resources are pooled with other investors.
Finds organisations / fund managers that have one or more ESG/sustainability experts on all investment teams or 'desks' (all asset types)
Accreditations
Finds organisations / fund managers that have an A+ PRI rating - meaning they are highly rated according to the 'Principles of Responsible Investment'
Find fund managers that are signatories to the FRC UK Stewardship Code, which sets out a framework for constructive investor / investee relations where fund managers are encouraged to behave like responsible, typically longer term 'company owners'.
Engagement Approach
Find fund management companies that regularly initiate or run industry wide (collaborative) investor projects aimed at raising environmental, social and governance standards amongst investee companies.
Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage more responsible corporate taxation.
Fund manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that is focused on addressing climate change with investee assets.
Asset manager has a stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that involves working with fossil fuel companies on climate change related issues. See fund manager website for details.
Asset manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy with involves encouraging investee asset to reduce plastic waste and pollution.
Asset manager has a stewardship / responsible ownership policy that means they are working to encourage more responsible mining practices - where environmental and social issues are properly dealt with by the companies they invest in.
The asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy that focuses on biodiversity and nature issues relating to the assets they invest the aim of which will be to reduce harm and or deliver improvement. Strategies vary. https://tnfd.global
Asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy which means they are working to encourage the shift to more sustainable business practices in ways that respect and are sensitive to social issues and the impact change has on people effected by the changes that are taking place. https://www.transitionpathwayinitiative.org/ https://transitiontaskforce.net/
Asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place which aims to address human rights issues in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers) with the aim of raising standards
Asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place that aims to improve labour standards for the benefit of employees in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers)
Asset management company has a stewardship strategy in place which involves working to raise diversity, equality and inclusion standards across investee assets
Fund managers have stewardship strategies in place that focus on improving governance standards across investee assets
Asset manager has stewardship strategy in place which involves discussing mental health issues with investee companies - with the aim of raising standards
Has a stewardship / responsible ownership strategy that encourages responsible supply chain - ie the managers will discuss environmental, social and governance issues with investee companies with the aim of raising standards
Company Wide Exclusions
Find fund management companies (not funds) that avoid investment in 'controversial weapons' across all of their funds and other investment vehicles.
Find fund management companies that avoid investment in tobacco (manufacturing) companies across all their assets.
Find fund management companies that avoid investment in fossil fuel companies (e.g. coal, oil and gas) across all of their funds. (and/ or other assets.)
Find funds / fund managers that are reviewing, or have reviewed, their exposure to carbon intensive industries including (but not only) mining, oil and gas companies. (Typically with reference to climate change.)
This asset manager has a strategy in place that will lead them to exit direct investments in the coal mining industry. Managers ability to do this may depend on the geographic regions in which they invest.
This asset manager excludes direct investment in the coal mining industry. Managers ability to do this may depend on the geographic regions in which they invest.
Climate & Net Zero Transition
Fund management organisations that have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’. Strategies vary - this area is changing rapidly.
Fund manager AGM / EGM voting strategy has processes in place that mean they will normally be expected to vote in a way that will encourage the transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Find fund management companies that have published a Climate Risk policy or statement that is signed / owned by their Chief Executive.
This asset management company has set a date by which they plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.
Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
Finds organisations / fund managers that have a company wide carbon transition plan - meaning that they have plotted a path to how they will move away from activities that produce or use carbon based energy sources (that emit greenhouse gases) towards clean, alternative, renewable energy sources.
Finds organisations / fund managers that have published ‘forward looking climate metrics’ e.g. 'implied temperature rise' data that are a total of the asset management company's share (% owned) of all the investee company emissions of the assets they manage, as well as their own direct and other indirect emissions.
This asset management company plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions by reducing their emissions. Calculations and scope vary.
Find fund management companies that are working to reduce their own (fund management company) carbon/greenhouse gas emissions.
Finds organisations / fund management companies that are in the process of working out how to make a ‘net zero commitment’ - meaning that when that is finalised they will have started the process of reducing their total greenhouse gas emissions to'zero'.
See https://sciencebasedtargets.org/
Transparency
Find fund management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.
Find companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.
Find fund management companies that will supply information about their sustainable and responsible investment activity on request.
Fund management companies that publish a full record of how they vote their shares at AGMs (annual general meetings) and EGMs (extraordinary general meetings). Voting strategies have an important role to play encouraging higher environmental, social and governance standards.
This asset management company has published a plan that explains how they are to become a sustainable business - without significant negative environmental or social impacts.
This asset management company has published a plan that explains how they will align to the climate change commitments made at the Paris Climate Talks, COP21.
This asset management company has published a plan that explains how they are going to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.
Find fund management companies that have supplied Dialshifter information. See Dialshifter tab within record for more information.
Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:
This Fund is part of AXA IM’s global ACT range of products, which implement a responsible investment approach as part of their investment strategy. The ACT range is designed to enable investors to take action on global environmental, social and government (ESG) issues through their investments. These strategies go beyond ESG integration, by setting sustainable investment as their objective and seeking to achieve this by either following a process in which investment decisions are driven by ESG themes or by seeking out intentional, positive, measurable and sustainable impact.
The AXA ACT Framlington Clean Economy fund invests in equities, in accordance with AXA IM RI sectorial policies and ESG standards, and invests at least 80% of its investments in shares of listed companies of any size which are based anywhere in the world that the manager believes will generate both above-average returns and a positive and measurable impact on the planet, incorporating the analysis of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.
In selecting shares, the Manager applies the AXA IM RI sectoral policies to address ESG tail-risks, which include, e.g.:
- Exclusion of controversial weapons
- Exclusion of climate risks
- Considering ecosystem protection & deforestation
- Exclusion of soft commodities
In addition, we also apply the AXA IM ESG standards which are focused on:
- Tobacco - to avoid financing the tobacco industry and thus contribute to protecting public health
- Defense - to avoid financing companies involved in the development, production, maintenance or sale of incendiary weapons with white phosphorus
- UNGC principles - to avoid financing companies in violation of the United Nations Global Compact, OECD guidelines for MNE, ILO Conventions or UNGP for Business and Human Rights
- ESG quality - to carefully monitor companies with the worst ESG practice
- Countries with severe human right violations
- Companies exposed to severe controversies.
The full AXA IM sector specific investment guidelines and the AXA IM ESG Standards policy are subject to change and the latest copies are available from the Manager on request.
In addition to the application of the above policies, the manager will use the company’s ESG score to exclude those companies in respect of their Environment or “E” scores. The Manager will also use the ESG score as one factor within its broader analysis of the company to make selection which are expected to generate growth over time and to contribute to the transition to a sustainable economy. The ESG score is, however, just one component of the Manager’s investment process and is not the sole driver of the investment decision making process.
Further to the initial screening against the ESG criteria (as described above), the Manager will then seek to identify companies with exposure to the clean economy. The Manager defines the clean economy as the universe of companies whose activities address the environmentally focussed UN Sustainable Development Goals through improving resource sustainability, supporting the energy transition or addressing the issue of water scarcity.
The Manager will focus on such companies which operate across the following four key areas:
- Low carbon transport
- Smart energy
- Natural resource preservation
- Agriculture & Food Industry (but may also invest in such other industries which contribute to the clean transition)
The Manager will aim to select high quality companies in these areas, including by using a responsible investment ‘selectivity’ approach which selects on the basis of qualitative factors such as commitment of the company to achieve and measure impact against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (with a particular focus on the planet), its strategic direction and consideration of ESG risk, among other considerations. The Manager will also take into consideration their technologies, quality of management, expected profitability, their prospects for growth and investment in sustainability goals.
If an investment no longer meets the criteria above, the Manager will disinvest in accordance with its best execution policy.
The Manager has full discretion to select investments for the Fund in line with the above investment policy and in doing so may take into consideration the MSCI AC World Total Return Net (the “Benchmark”). The MSCI AC World Total Return Net is designed to measure the performance of mid-cap to large-cap stocks from a number of developed and emerging markets as selected by the Benchmark provider. The Benchmark best represents the universe of companies from which the portfolio will be selected, following the application of the Manager’s ESG standards and criteria.
The Fund may also invest in other transferable securities and units in collective investment schemes. The Fund may use derivatives for Efficient Portfolio Management. Use may be made of borrowing, cash holdings, hedging and other investment techniques permitted in the applicable Financial Conduct Authority rules.
Process:
The AXA ACT Framlington Clean Economy fund is highly selective in the companies invested in. The application of AXA IM sectorial policies, AXA IM ESG standards, environmental screen and CleanTech thematic filter form the earlier stages of the investment process; bottom-up stock selection forms the heart of the investment process. at stock level, we actively seek out companies with:
- A clear alignment with the six targeted environmental UN SDGs through their products & services
- A strong ESG profile
- Long term strong revenue/margins growth
- Market leading products
- Pricing power / cost control
- Appropriate funding structure
- Sustainable or improving profitability
Rigorous Impact Investing process
We seek to identify these companies based on our rigorous proprietary impact framework developed by our listed equity Impact Analysts team and based on the below five key pillars:
- Intentionality
- Investments should be made with an upfront objective of positive social or environmental outcomes. Our research seeks to identify companies that demonstrate an intentional, strategic commitment to positive impact.
- Materiality
- Invest in companies where the positive outcomes are of material significance to the beneficiaries, the company, or to both.
- Additionality
- The extent to which a company is making its 'needed' products and services more accessible or commercially viable, for example through innovation and new technologies, lower prices or better distribution.
- Negative Externalities
- A company's corporate practices, or products and services, may significantly undermine the positive impact it is generating elsewhere.
- Measurability
- There needs to be a clear methodology and commitment to measuring and reporting the social and environmental performance of investments.
Our listed equity impact analysts focus mainly on how a company’s products & services contribute to achieving the UN SDGs. For each company, the Impact analysts develop a thesis regarding company impact and record KPIs which allow us to measure the company’s impact.
We consistently monitor KPIs relevant to the company and where we consider the most material impact. For example, within our Smart Energy theme, the KPI may be renewable energy capacity added. Tracking these KPIs allows us to judge the social contribution of companies and the progression over time. As a result, we are better equipped to judge on businesses’ ability and extent to contribute to or achieve specific SDGs. KPI monitoring also helps to highlight obvious disclosure gaps of companies. When this tracking is done across a breadth of firms within a certain sector or impact theme, it additionally guides in making comparisons, allowing us to see obvious areas for improvement.
The overall companies’ score is decided after calculating the weighted average of individual pillar scores. This determines the Impact category in which the company is falling into.
At AXA IM, we have established three main Impact categories:
- Impact Leader: Companies in this category are the highest rated in terms of sustainably generating positive societal impact. Products and services Impact Leaders are firms that sell goods and services that are of critical value, and generate significant additionality by leveraging technology, scale and innovation to make their product and services accessible and commercially viable in potentially underserved markets.
- Impact Contributor: Impact Contributors generate significant positive societal impact but have not obtained the “Impact Leader” status due to considerations regarding impact theme alignment purity (e.g. only a small proportion of revenue may contribute to the SDGs while the rest of the business is largely neutral), lack of corroborating disclosures, the severity of the issue being addressed, or negative externalities.
- SDG-Aligned: These companies contribute positively to environmental or social objectives, and do not significantly harm environmental or social objectives, but their net positive contribution is deemed insufficient to warrant Impact Leader or Impact Contributor status.
Companies that do not meet the criteria for the above categories are considered non-impact. Specifically for the AXA ACT Clean Economy strategy, we mainly focus on Impact Leaders and Contributors companies.
As a responsible, active and long-term investor, we encourage and support companies to improve their transparency and actionability of disclosed data - mainly through engagement. It is once again critical in this aspect, as it promotes better disclosures and reporting, as well as commitment to long-term financial returns alongside meaningful societal impact.
Fundamental analysis
Portfolio managers interact on a regular basis through formal meetings, as well as on an ad-hoc basis with ESG analysts, Impact analysts and the RI Team, allowing the best ideas to flow from research into the security selection process.
Regular site visits and meetings with management teams are fundamental to the research process. This enables a deeper understanding of a company’s business model, the quality of its management team, their strategic commitment for growth, the competitiveness of the company’s products/services, and ultimately, prospects for revenue and profits growth.
Valuation discipline underpins the portfolio. Company valuation is another important element and a consideration of future earnings per share (EPS) and future cash flow is critical. Traditional valuation metrics, including price/earnings (P/E), EV/EBITDA, EV/Sales and price earnings growth (PEG), are utilised amongst other metrics. Ultimately, every investment decision taken by the portfolio managers are considered in the context of the potential for growth, relative to the price paid. This is to ensure we do not overpay for growth, but also to make sure that we do not miss opportunities on stocks which may look expensive at first on a valuation point of view only.
Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:
Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies
External Qualitative Research: We use the research of ESG specialists like MSCI, Sustainalytics, ISS (proxy voting and UN SDG alignment) to complement the contribution of quantitative ratings. Investment professionals also have access to external qualitative research through brokers, etc.
Internal Qualitative Research: The RI research capabilities are organised as follows:
- A central ESG Research Team focusing on thematic research, corporate governance, and shareholders engagement as well as on developing quantitative solutions. Climate, human capital/ diversity, and health have been identified as the key thematic priorities for this team.
- ESG specialists within the investment platforms conduct ESG analysis at the company level.
We have 34 dedicated RI experts, embedded within investment and research teams, who are responsible for our RI related activities and cover Research, Data/Scoring, Analytics, Stock/Credit Analysis and Active Ownership/Engagement.
We can also rely on 100 professionals whose RI is an essential in their day-to-day routine; this category of staff is composed of portfolio managers, credit analysts, sales, investment analytic people and Investments specialists.
More specifically, the RI research capabilities are organised as follows, within AXA IM Core:
- A RI Research team responsible for thematic research with a focus on climate, biodiversity, human capital & diversity as well as health, nutrition, and data privacy, ensuring it translates into implementable investment decisions across platforms. This team also leads shareholders engagement on those themes. Within this team, dedicated RI Analysts are in charge of defining the eligible Green, Social and Sustainability bonds universe. They rely on our proprietary framework notably inspired by the Green and Social Bond Principle (GSBP) and the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) Standards.
- A RI Coordination and Governance team responsible for transversal RI projects and corporate governance including voting policy on key themes mentioned above. The Active Ownership strategy is built and led jointly with the RI Research team.
- A RI Solutions, Tools and Models team dedicated to the development of ESG quantitative solutions. As such, the team has developed a proprietary ESG framework and RI Search platform, providing portfolio managers and analysts with ESG raw quantitative data, KPIs, internal and external research and ESG scores.
- ESG specialists within the investment platforms oversee product development, the operational implementation of ESG processes, building portfolio RI eligible universes and support the integration of ESG criteria and RI approaches within portfolio construction and decision-making processes.
- ESG analysts integrated within investment teams: ESG specialists are embedded the investment teams to conduct ESG analysis at the company level, working closely with fund managers. They integrate ESG criteria in their assessment of an investment, our conviction being that ESG provides a complementary analysis to traditional financial research; these issues may have financial impacts for companies in the short and/or long-term time horizon.
- Impact analysts integrated within investment teams: they perform qualitative impact analysis on companies based on five key pillars, reviewing their products or services and operational activities to demonstrates whether a company contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals or to a specific impact.
ESG related business development activities are led by specialized investment specialists, who work hand in hand with investment teams. Ultimate accountability for responsible investing lies with Hans Stoter, Head of AXA IM Core.
We play a proactive role in several industry initiatives and groups and take a leadership role as often as possible, including those listed below:
- 30% French Club Investor Group,
- 30% UK Club Investor Group,
- 30% Japan Club Investor Group,
- Advance,
- Access to Medicine Index,
- Access to Nutrition Initiative,
- ALIGN Project under EU Business@Biodiversity programme,
- Asset Management and Investors Council (AMIC) - Sustainable Finance Working Group,
- Association Française de Gestion (AFG) - Responsible Investment and Corporate Governance Committees,
- CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project),
- CERES,
- ChemSec,
- Climate Action 100+,
- Climate Bonds Initiative,
- Coalition Transition Juste,
- CRREM,
- EC B@B (European Commission Business@Biodiversity),
- ESG Open Data Platform,
- European Commission Platform on Sustainable Finance,
- European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) Stewardship and ESG Standing Committee,
- European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA),
- Eurosif (European Sustainable Investment Forum),
- European Sustainable Real Estate Initiative (ESREI),
- FAIRR,
- Finance for Biodiversity Foundation,
- Forum per la Finanza Sostenibile (ItaSIF),
- FIR (Forum pour l’Investissement Responsible - France),
- GIIN (Global Impact Investing Network),
- Global Canopy,
- Green Building Council Italie,
- GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark),
- International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN),
- ICMA – Green and Social Bond Principles,
- ICMA - Sustainable Finance Committee,
- IIGCC (Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change),
- Impact Management Project,
- INREV (European Association for Investors in Non-Listed Real Estate Vehicles),
- International Sustainability Standard Board (ISSB),
- Investment Association (IA) - Sustainability and Responsible Investment Committee,
- Investor Alliance for Human Rights,
- Institut de la Finance Durable – Investors for a Just Transition,
- Nature Action 100,
- Net Zero Asset Managers,
- Observatoire de l'Immobilier Durable (OID),
- One Planet Asset Management WG,
- Operating principles for Impact Management,
- UN PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment),
- Responsible Investment Association Australasia, SASB –
- Sustainable Trading,
- Sustainability Accounting Standards Board,
- Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets,
- ULI (Urban Land Institute),
- UN PRI - Deforestation Commodities Practitioners Group,
- UNEP FI (United Nations Environmental Program Finance Initiative),
- VBDO (Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development),
- World Benchmarking Alliance,
- World Economic Forum (WEF) – Net Zero Carbon Cities
.
Dialshifter
This fund is helping to ‘shift the dial from brown to green’ by..
The fund aims to contribute to the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions by investing in listed companies whose activities improve resource sustainability, support the energy transition or address issues of natural resources and food scarcity, directly addressing the environmentally focused UN SDGs. The fund is highly selective in the companies invested in, with stocks displaying a clear alignment with the six targeted UN SDGs through their products and services, as well as having a strong ESG profile, therefore investing for the greater good.
Our organisation is helping to support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Race to Net Zero by...
The road to net zero is challenging to navigate and requires a collective effort. We want to be one of the leaders on this journey: in our investment choices, the products we offer, the way we engage and vote, and manage our business.
This includes our commitment to manage 65% of our total 2022 AUM in line with net zero by 2050 and to aim to exit all coal investments in OECD countries by 2030. Furthermore, we use of a carbon transition framework to track the progress of companies towards net zero targets and helping us to engage accordingly.
SDR Labelling: Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics
Literature
Fund Holdings
Voting Record
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
This document has been prepared by AXA Investment Managers for the sole use of the company to whom it is addressed. It may not be copied or circulated, in whole or in part, outside that company, without the prior written consent of AXA Investment Managers. Whilst reasonable care has been taken by AXA Investment Managers to ensure that this document is current at the date of issue, no warranty of accuracy is given, and any information contained within it may be subject to change without notice. Furthermore, the data including but not limited to scenarios and investment guidelines set forth in these materials are presented for indicative and/or illustrative purpose and such data including but not limited to scenarios and investment guidelines could vary significantly from the final investment policy and/or actual results. The figures provided relate to previous months or years and past performance is not a reliable indicator as to future performance. The value of investments may fall as well as rise and investors may get back less than they put in. Nothing contained within this document shall constitute an offer to enter into, or a term or condition of, any contract with the recipient or any other party. This document shall not be deemed to constitute investment advice, or an offer for sale or solicitation to invest in any particular fund. Subscriptions to funds are accepted only from eligible investors on the basis of the relevant current prospectus or Information Memorandum.
.
In September 2023 AXA streghthened their RI policies:
- Climate Risk
- Controversial Weapons
- EcoSystem Protection & Deforestation
- Soft Commodities
Please see the text under “Exclusion” in each section for changes.
No major changes have been made to the AXA IM ESG Standards Policy, however this document was also updated and strengthened as at September 2023.
The policies can be found on the AXA IM website (Our Policies and Reports | AXA IM UK (axa-im.co.uk)).
Fund Name | SRI Style | SDR Labelling | Product | Region | Asset Type | Launch Date | Last Amended |
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AXA ACT Framlington Clean Economy Fund |
Environmental Style | Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics | OEIC | Global | Equity | 02/01/1986 | Oct 2023 | |
ObjectivesThe aim of this Fund is to provide long-term capital growth over a period of 5 years or more and to seek to achieve a sustainable investment objective, in line with a responsible investment approach. |
Fund Size: £60.29m (as at: 30/11/2022) Total Screened Themed SRI Assets: £426025.69m (as at: 30/11/2022) Total Responsible Ownership Assets: £426025.69m (as at: 30/11/2022) Total Assets Under Management: £702579.79m (as at: 30/11/2022) ISIN: GB00B7G8XW93, GB00BRJZVM34, GB0003499851, GB0003499745, GB00BP0TM273, GB00BP0TM380 Contact Us: UKClientService@axa-im.com |
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Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG OverviewAwaiting update from fund manager (November 2024)
The AXA ACT Framlington Clean Economy strategy has a dual objective of seeking to achieve long-term financial return and seeking to deliver a positive and measurable impact on the environment. The AXA ACT Framlington Clean Economy strategy aims to contribute to the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions by investing in listed companies whose activities improve resource sustainability, support the energy transition or address issues of natural resources and food scarcity, addressing the environmentally focussed UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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Primary fund last amended: Oct 2023 |
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Information received directly from Fund Manager |
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Fund FiltersSustainability - General
Sustainability policy
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Environmental policy
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Resource efficiency policy or theme
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Favours cleaner, greener companies
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Waste management policy or theme
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Plastics policy
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A significant focus on investments that aim to protect, improve and, or restore natural habitat.
Nature / biodiversity focus
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Nature / biodiversity protection policy
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Deforestation / palm oil policy
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Illegal deforestation exclusion policy
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Responsible palm oil policy
Fund has a responsible palm oil policy which is likely to focus on the producers of palm oil and deforestation issues with a view to informing investment decisions (and / or engagement) to support and encourage high standards.
Blue economy theme or focus
A significant focus on the investments that aim to take better care of the marine environment – both for wildlife and the people whose livelihoods directly depend on it. Climate Change & Energy
Climate change / greenhouse gas emissions policy
Funds that have policies (documented strategies that explain their position on) climate change related issues such as greenhouse gas/carbon emissions, net zero, transitioning to lower carbon. Strategies vary. Read fund details for further information.
Coal, oil & / or gas majors excluded
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Fracking and tar sands excluded
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Arctic drilling exclusion
Funds that avoid companies that are involved in extracting oil from the Arctic regions. See fund literature for further details.
Fossil fuel reserves exclusion
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Clean / renewable energy theme or focus
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Encourage transition to low carbon through stewardship activity
A core element of these funds will aim to encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity
Energy efficiency theme
Fund funds that have an energy efficiency theme - typically meaning that a fund manager is focused on investing in organisations that manage - or help others to manage - energy use more carefully and less wastefully - and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Invests in clean energy / renewables
Funds that hold companies in the clean energy and renewable energy sectors (at the time research was supplied). Fund strategies vary, in particular the proportion of investment in these areas may vary significantly. Check fund literature for details. Social / Employment
Social policy
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Labour standards policy
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Favours companies with strong social policies
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Diversity, equality & inclusion Policy (fund level)
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Ethical policies
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Tobacco and related product manufacturers excluded
Companies are excluded if they are involved in any aspect of the production chain for tobacco products, including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.
Armaments manufacturers avoided
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Human rights policy
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Child labour exclusion
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Oppressive regimes (not free or democratic) exclusion policy
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Responsible supply chain policy or theme
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Modern slavery exclusion policy
The fund has a policy which excludes assets with involvement in Modern Slavery Meeting Peoples' Basic Needs
Water / sanitation policy or theme
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Green infrastructure focus
Fund focuses on (ie directs a significant proportion of its investment towards) green infrastructure, eg the clean energy supply chain. See fund details.
Plant based / smart food production theme
Fund has a theme that may direct investment towards newer forms of food such as plant based meat alternatives. A fund may have one or many themes. See fund information.
Responsible food production or agriculture theme
Fund has a responsible food production or agriculture theme or strand of investment. Funds may have a single theme or many themes. See fund information. Gilts & Sovereigns
Gilts / government bonds - exclude some
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Gilts / government bonds - exclude all
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Governance policy
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Avoids companies with poor governance
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UN sanctions exclusion
Exclude companies that are subject to United Nations sanctions. See eg https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list
Anti-bribery and corruption policy
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Encourage board diversity e.g. gender
Fund managers encourage the companies they invest in to have more diverse board structures (e.g. more women on boards)
Encourage higher ESG standards through stewardship activity
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ESG integration strategy
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Invests in small, mid and large cap companies / assets
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Invests >25% of fund in environmental/social solutions companies
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Invests >50% of fund in environmental/social solutions companies
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EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy holdings 5-25% of fund assets
Find funds that have calculated the proportion of fund asset that meet the new EU Taxonomy requirements and that they total 5-25% of assets. This will typically require adding up the proportion of each individual company's activity that is regarded as 'green' so that the fund manager can produce an overall total for the whole fund / portfolio. Impact Methodologies
Aims to generate positive impacts (or 'outcomes')
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Measures positive impacts
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Described as an ‘impact investment fund’
Funds that are specifically marketed as ‘Impact investments funds' will work to deliver both financial performance and specific, measurable positive, real world social and/or environmental benefits. Strategies vary.
Positive environmental impact theme
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Invests in environmental solutions companies
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Invests in sustainability / ESG disruptors
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Positive selection bias
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Negative selection bias
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ESG weighted / tilt
Find funds that invest more heavily in those that have higher ESG ratings/standards or scores and less heavily in companies with lower ESG ratings. Where this is central to a fund's strategy you should expect it to invest in most sectors. Strategies vary.
Significant harm exclusion
Aims to avoid companies that do significant harm. This originates from the EU’s sustainable finance ‘DNSH’ (do no significant harm) work, which is not necessarily used by UK investors.
Assets mapped to SDGs
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Combines norms based exclusions with other SRI criteria
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Combines ESG strategy with other SRI criteria
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Balances company 'pros and cons' / best in sector
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SRI / ESG / Ethical policies explained on website
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Participated in sustainability solutions IPOs or new issuances
This fund does (and has recently) invested in newly listed companies other assets (eg bonds) which are significantly focused on the provision of products and/or services which are designed to solve environmental and/or social problems.
Converted from ‘non ESG’ strategy
This fund has changed its mandate. It was previously not an ESG/sustainable fund. The information published here shows the upgraded fund strategy. Unscreened Assets & Cash
All assets (except cash) meet published sustainability criteria
All assets held in the fund - except cash - meet the sustainability criteria published in fund documentation. Intended Clients & Product Options
Intended for investors interested in sustainability
Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in sustainability issues.
Intended for clients who want to have a positive impact
Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in ‘Impact investment funds’ which help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Available via an ISA (OEIC only)
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Portfolio SRI / ESG options available (DFMs)
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Finds those that offer an SRI / ESG portfolio option
Multiple SRI / ESG portfolio options available (DFMs)
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Find service providers who offer multiple SRI / ESG portfolio options
Bespoke SRI / ESG portfolios available (DFMs)
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Find service providers who offer bespoke ('personalised') SRI / ESG portfolio options Labels & Accreditations
SFDR Article 9 fund / product (EU)
Finds funds classified under Article 9 of the EU’s SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Requirements). Article 9 of the SFDR applies to financial products that have sustainable investment 'objectives' - including emissions reduction objectives. (These may currently be referred to as 'impact' funds or aiming to deliver clear, specific positive outcomes.) These rules do not currently apply in the UK so fund managers may leave this field blank. Fund Management Company InformationAbout The Business
Responsible ownership / stewardship policy or strategy (AFM company wide)
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ESG / SRI engagement (AFM company wide)
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Vote all* shares at AGMs / EGMs (AFM company wide)
Find fund managers that vote all* the shares they own at Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings. A commitment to voting shares is a key indicator of 'responsible share ownership' demonstrating their support for or disagreement with management policy. (*situations can legitimately, occasionally occur where voting proves impossible, but in principle all shares should be voted.)
Responsible ownership / ESG a key differentiator (AFM company wide)
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Sustainable property strategy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that take sustainability criteria into account when selecting and/or managing all of their property / real estate investments.
Senior management KPIs include environmental goals (AFM company wide)
The leadership team of this asset manager have performance targets linked to environmental goals.
SDG aligned aims / objectives (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that aim to align all their investments (across all funds) to help meet the aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Responsible ownership policy for non SRI funds (AFM company wide)
Find funds run by fund managers that apply Responsible ownership or 'Stewardship' policies to all or most of their investment assets. This means active involvement (e.g. voting, dialogue) with the companies they invest in across funds (not normally limited to ethical or SRI options.) Read fund literature for further information.
Integrates ESG factors into all / most (AFM) fund research
Find fund management companies that consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when deciding whether or not to invest in a company for all / almost all of their funds and other assets. This is increasingly seen as part of sound risk management.
In-house diversity improvement programme (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have an in-house (company wide) diversity improvement programme - meaning that they are working to ensure that within their own businesses they employ people from diverse backgrounds - often typically focused on ethnicity and/or sex.
Diversity, equality & inclusion engagement policy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that encourage the companies they invest in to have strong diversity, race, gender and other equality policies across all assets held, not simply screened or themed SRI/ESG funds. (ie Asset Management company wide).
Invests in newly listed companies (AFM company wide)
This asset management company invests in companies which have recently listed on a stock exchange (which is important as it can help grow new businesses).
Invests in new sustainability linked bond issuances (AFM company wide)
Asset management company has investments in bonds designed to meet sustainability requirements - however these assets may not be 'ringfenced' for this purpose. See fund manager website for details.
Offer unstructured intermediary sustainable investment training
Fund management entity offers unstructured intermediary training on sustainable investment (ie for financial advisers and wealth managers) Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory
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UKSIF member
Find fund management companies that are members of UKSIF - the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance association
TNFD forum member (AFM company wide)
A member of the Taskforce for Nature Related Financial Disclosures group which aims to aid risk management and shift money towards nature-positive outcomes.
Investment Association (IA) member
Fund management entity is a member of the Investment Association https://www.theia.org/ Resources
In-house responsible ownership / voting expertise
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Employ specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability researchers
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Use specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability research companies
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ESG specialists on all investment desks (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have one or more ESG/sustainability experts on all investment teams or 'desks' (all asset types) Accreditations
PRI A+ rated (AFM company wide)
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UK Stewardship Code signatory (AFM company wide)
Find fund managers that are signatories to the FRC UK Stewardship Code, which sets out a framework for constructive investor / investee relations where fund managers are encouraged to behave like responsible, typically longer term 'company owners'. Engagement Approach
Regularly lead collaborative ESG initiatives (AFM company wide)
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Encourage responsible corporate taxation (AFM company wide)
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Engaging on climate change issues
Fund manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that is focused on addressing climate change with investee assets.
Engaging with fossil fuel companies on climate change
Asset manager has a stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that involves working with fossil fuel companies on climate change related issues. See fund manager website for details.
Engaging to reduce plastics pollution / waste
Asset manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy with involves encouraging investee asset to reduce plastic waste and pollution.
Engaging to encourage responsible mining practices
Asset manager has a stewardship / responsible ownership policy that means they are working to encourage more responsible mining practices - where environmental and social issues are properly dealt with by the companies they invest in.
Engaging on biodiversity / nature issues
The asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy that focuses on biodiversity and nature issues relating to the assets they invest the aim of which will be to reduce harm and or deliver improvement. Strategies vary. https://tnfd.global
Engaging to encourage a Just Transition
Asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy which means they are working to encourage the shift to more sustainable business practices in ways that respect and are sensitive to social issues and the impact change has on people effected by the changes that are taking place. https://www.transitionpathwayinitiative.org/ https://transitiontaskforce.net/
Engaging on human rights issues
Asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place which aims to address human rights issues in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers) with the aim of raising standards
Engaging on labour / employment issues
Asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place that aims to improve labour standards for the benefit of employees in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers)
Engaging on diversity, equality and / or inclusion issues
Asset management company has a stewardship strategy in place which involves working to raise diversity, equality and inclusion standards across investee assets
Engaging on governance issues
Fund managers have stewardship strategies in place that focus on improving governance standards across investee assets
Engaging on mental health issues
Asset manager has stewardship strategy in place which involves discussing mental health issues with investee companies - with the aim of raising standards
Engaging on responsible supply chain issues
Has a stewardship / responsible ownership strategy that encourages responsible supply chain - ie the managers will discuss environmental, social and governance issues with investee companies with the aim of raising standards Company Wide Exclusions
Controversial weapons avoidance policy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies (not funds) that avoid investment in 'controversial weapons' across all of their funds and other investment vehicles.
Tobacco avoidance policy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that avoid investment in tobacco (manufacturing) companies across all their assets.
Fossil fuel exclusion policy (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that avoid investment in fossil fuel companies (e.g. coal, oil and gas) across all of their funds. (and/ or other assets.)
Review(ing) carbon / fossil fuel exposure for all funds (AFM company wide)
Find funds / fund managers that are reviewing, or have reviewed, their exposure to carbon intensive industries including (but not only) mining, oil and gas companies. (Typically with reference to climate change.)
Coal divestment policy (AFM company wide)
This asset manager has a strategy in place that will lead them to exit direct investments in the coal mining industry. Managers ability to do this may depend on the geographic regions in which they invest.
Coal exclusion policy (group wide coal mining exclusion policy)
This asset manager excludes direct investment in the coal mining industry. Managers ability to do this may depend on the geographic regions in which they invest. Climate & Net Zero Transition
Net Zero commitment (AFM company wide)
Fund management organisations that have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’. Strategies vary - this area is changing rapidly.
Voting policy includes net zero targets (AFM company wide)
Fund manager AGM / EGM voting strategy has processes in place that mean they will normally be expected to vote in a way that will encourage the transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Publish 'CEO owned' Climate Risk policy (AFM company wide)
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Net Zero - have set a Net Zero target date (AFM company wide)
This asset management company has set a date by which they plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.
Encourage carbon / greenhouse gas reduction (AFM company wide)
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Carbon transition plan published (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have a company wide carbon transition plan - meaning that they have plotted a path to how they will move away from activities that produce or use carbon based energy sources (that emit greenhouse gases) towards clean, alternative, renewable energy sources.
‘Forward Looking Climate Metrics’ published / ITR (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have published ‘forward looking climate metrics’ e.g. 'implied temperature rise' data that are a total of the asset management company's share (% owned) of all the investee company emissions of the assets they manage, as well as their own direct and other indirect emissions.
Carbon offsetting – do NOT offset carbon as part of net zero plan (AFM company wide)
This asset management company plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions by reducing their emissions. Calculations and scope vary.
In-house carbon / GHG reduction policy (AFM company wide)
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Working towards a ‘Net Zero’ commitment (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund management companies that are in the process of working out how to make a ‘net zero commitment’ - meaning that when that is finalised they will have started the process of reducing their total greenhouse gas emissions to'zero'.
Committed to SBTi / Science Based Targets Initiative
See https://sciencebasedtargets.org/ Transparency
Publish responsible ownership / stewardship report (AFM company wide)
Find fund management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.
Full SRI / responsible ownership policy information on company website
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Full SRI / responsible ownership policy information available on request
Find fund management companies that will supply information about their sustainable and responsible investment activity on request.
Publish full voting record (AFM company wide)
Fund management companies that publish a full record of how they vote their shares at AGMs (annual general meetings) and EGMs (extraordinary general meetings). Voting strategies have an important role to play encouraging higher environmental, social and governance standards.
Sustainability transition plan publicly available (AFM company wide)
This asset management company has published a plan that explains how they are to become a sustainable business - without significant negative environmental or social impacts.
Paris Alignment plan publicly available (AFM company wide)
This asset management company has published a plan that explains how they will align to the climate change commitments made at the Paris Climate Talks, COP21.
Net Zero transition plan publicly available (AFM company wide)
This asset management company has published a plan that explains how they are going to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.
Dialshifter statement
Find fund management companies that have supplied Dialshifter information. See Dialshifter tab within record for more information. Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:This Fund is part of AXA IM’s global ACT range of products, which implement a responsible investment approach as part of their investment strategy. The ACT range is designed to enable investors to take action on global environmental, social and government (ESG) issues through their investments. These strategies go beyond ESG integration, by setting sustainable investment as their objective and seeking to achieve this by either following a process in which investment decisions are driven by ESG themes or by seeking out intentional, positive, measurable and sustainable impact.
The AXA ACT Framlington Clean Economy fund invests in equities, in accordance with AXA IM RI sectorial policies and ESG standards, and invests at least 80% of its investments in shares of listed companies of any size which are based anywhere in the world that the manager believes will generate both above-average returns and a positive and measurable impact on the planet, incorporating the analysis of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. In selecting shares, the Manager applies the AXA IM RI sectoral policies to address ESG tail-risks, which include, e.g.:
In addition, we also apply the AXA IM ESG standards which are focused on:
The full AXA IM sector specific investment guidelines and the AXA IM ESG Standards policy are subject to change and the latest copies are available from the Manager on request.
In addition to the application of the above policies, the manager will use the company’s ESG score to exclude those companies in respect of their Environment or “E” scores. The Manager will also use the ESG score as one factor within its broader analysis of the company to make selection which are expected to generate growth over time and to contribute to the transition to a sustainable economy. The ESG score is, however, just one component of the Manager’s investment process and is not the sole driver of the investment decision making process.
Further to the initial screening against the ESG criteria (as described above), the Manager will then seek to identify companies with exposure to the clean economy. The Manager defines the clean economy as the universe of companies whose activities address the environmentally focussed UN Sustainable Development Goals through improving resource sustainability, supporting the energy transition or addressing the issue of water scarcity.
The Manager will focus on such companies which operate across the following four key areas:
The Manager will aim to select high quality companies in these areas, including by using a responsible investment ‘selectivity’ approach which selects on the basis of qualitative factors such as commitment of the company to achieve and measure impact against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (with a particular focus on the planet), its strategic direction and consideration of ESG risk, among other considerations. The Manager will also take into consideration their technologies, quality of management, expected profitability, their prospects for growth and investment in sustainability goals.
If an investment no longer meets the criteria above, the Manager will disinvest in accordance with its best execution policy.
The Manager has full discretion to select investments for the Fund in line with the above investment policy and in doing so may take into consideration the MSCI AC World Total Return Net (the “Benchmark”). The MSCI AC World Total Return Net is designed to measure the performance of mid-cap to large-cap stocks from a number of developed and emerging markets as selected by the Benchmark provider. The Benchmark best represents the universe of companies from which the portfolio will be selected, following the application of the Manager’s ESG standards and criteria.
The Fund may also invest in other transferable securities and units in collective investment schemes. The Fund may use derivatives for Efficient Portfolio Management. Use may be made of borrowing, cash holdings, hedging and other investment techniques permitted in the applicable Financial Conduct Authority rules. Process:The AXA ACT Framlington Clean Economy fund is highly selective in the companies invested in. The application of AXA IM sectorial policies, AXA IM ESG standards, environmental screen and CleanTech thematic filter form the earlier stages of the investment process; bottom-up stock selection forms the heart of the investment process. at stock level, we actively seek out companies with:
Rigorous Impact Investing process We seek to identify these companies based on our rigorous proprietary impact framework developed by our listed equity Impact Analysts team and based on the below five key pillars:
Our listed equity impact analysts focus mainly on how a company’s products & services contribute to achieving the UN SDGs. For each company, the Impact analysts develop a thesis regarding company impact and record KPIs which allow us to measure the company’s impact.
We consistently monitor KPIs relevant to the company and where we consider the most material impact. For example, within our Smart Energy theme, the KPI may be renewable energy capacity added. Tracking these KPIs allows us to judge the social contribution of companies and the progression over time. As a result, we are better equipped to judge on businesses’ ability and extent to contribute to or achieve specific SDGs. KPI monitoring also helps to highlight obvious disclosure gaps of companies. When this tracking is done across a breadth of firms within a certain sector or impact theme, it additionally guides in making comparisons, allowing us to see obvious areas for improvement.
The overall companies’ score is decided after calculating the weighted average of individual pillar scores. This determines the Impact category in which the company is falling into.
At AXA IM, we have established three main Impact categories:
Companies that do not meet the criteria for the above categories are considered non-impact. Specifically for the AXA ACT Clean Economy strategy, we mainly focus on Impact Leaders and Contributors companies.
As a responsible, active and long-term investor, we encourage and support companies to improve their transparency and actionability of disclosed data - mainly through engagement. It is once again critical in this aspect, as it promotes better disclosures and reporting, as well as commitment to long-term financial returns alongside meaningful societal impact.
Fundamental analysis Portfolio managers interact on a regular basis through formal meetings, as well as on an ad-hoc basis with ESG analysts, Impact analysts and the RI Team, allowing the best ideas to flow from research into the security selection process.
Regular site visits and meetings with management teams are fundamental to the research process. This enables a deeper understanding of a company’s business model, the quality of its management team, their strategic commitment for growth, the competitiveness of the company’s products/services, and ultimately, prospects for revenue and profits growth.
Valuation discipline underpins the portfolio. Company valuation is another important element and a consideration of future earnings per share (EPS) and future cash flow is critical. Traditional valuation metrics, including price/earnings (P/E), EV/EBITDA, EV/Sales and price earnings growth (PEG), are utilised amongst other metrics. Ultimately, every investment decision taken by the portfolio managers are considered in the context of the potential for growth, relative to the price paid. This is to ensure we do not overpay for growth, but also to make sure that we do not miss opportunities on stocks which may look expensive at first on a valuation point of view only.
Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies External Qualitative Research: We use the research of ESG specialists like MSCI, Sustainalytics, ISS (proxy voting and UN SDG alignment) to complement the contribution of quantitative ratings. Investment professionals also have access to external qualitative research through brokers, etc. Internal Qualitative Research: The RI research capabilities are organised as follows:
We have 34 dedicated RI experts, embedded within investment and research teams, who are responsible for our RI related activities and cover Research, Data/Scoring, Analytics, Stock/Credit Analysis and Active Ownership/Engagement. We can also rely on 100 professionals whose RI is an essential in their day-to-day routine; this category of staff is composed of portfolio managers, credit analysts, sales, investment analytic people and Investments specialists. More specifically, the RI research capabilities are organised as follows, within AXA IM Core:
ESG related business development activities are led by specialized investment specialists, who work hand in hand with investment teams. Ultimate accountability for responsible investing lies with Hans Stoter, Head of AXA IM Core. We play a proactive role in several industry initiatives and groups and take a leadership role as often as possible, including those listed below:
. DialshifterThis fund is helping to ‘shift the dial from brown to green’ by.. The fund aims to contribute to the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions by investing in listed companies whose activities improve resource sustainability, support the energy transition or address issues of natural resources and food scarcity, directly addressing the environmentally focused UN SDGs. The fund is highly selective in the companies invested in, with stocks displaying a clear alignment with the six targeted UN SDGs through their products and services, as well as having a strong ESG profile, therefore investing for the greater good.
Our organisation is helping to support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Race to Net Zero by... The road to net zero is challenging to navigate and requires a collective effort. We want to be one of the leaders on this journey: in our investment choices, the products we offer, the way we engage and vote, and manage our business. This includes our commitment to manage 65% of our total 2022 AUM in line with net zero by 2050 and to aim to exit all coal investments in OECD countries by 2030. Furthermore, we use of a carbon transition framework to track the progress of companies towards net zero targets and helping us to engage accordingly. SDR Labelling: Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics LiteratureFund HoldingsVoting RecordDisclaimerDisclaimer This document has been prepared by AXA Investment Managers for the sole use of the company to whom it is addressed. It may not be copied or circulated, in whole or in part, outside that company, without the prior written consent of AXA Investment Managers. Whilst reasonable care has been taken by AXA Investment Managers to ensure that this document is current at the date of issue, no warranty of accuracy is given, and any information contained within it may be subject to change without notice. Furthermore, the data including but not limited to scenarios and investment guidelines set forth in these materials are presented for indicative and/or illustrative purpose and such data including but not limited to scenarios and investment guidelines could vary significantly from the final investment policy and/or actual results. The figures provided relate to previous months or years and past performance is not a reliable indicator as to future performance. The value of investments may fall as well as rise and investors may get back less than they put in. Nothing contained within this document shall constitute an offer to enter into, or a term or condition of, any contract with the recipient or any other party. This document shall not be deemed to constitute investment advice, or an offer for sale or solicitation to invest in any particular fund. Subscriptions to funds are accepted only from eligible investors on the basis of the relevant current prospectus or Information Memorandum. .
In September 2023 AXA streghthened their RI policies:
Please see the text under “Exclusion” in each section for changes. No major changes have been made to the AXA IM ESG Standards Policy, however this document was also updated and strengthened as at September 2023. The policies can be found on the AXA IM website (Our Policies and Reports | AXA IM UK (axa-im.co.uk)).
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