Vanguard Global Capital Stewards Equity Fund

SRI Style:

Sustainability Tilt

SDR Labelling:

Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics

Product:

OEIC

Fund Region:

Global

Fund Asset Type:

Equity

Launch Date:

08/12/2021

Last Amended:

Oct 2024

Dialshifter ():

Fund Size:

£100.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

Total Screened Themed SRI Assets:

£42100.00m

Total Responsible Ownership Assets:

£1376000.00m

Total Assets Under Management:

£7292100.00m

ISIN:

GB00BMV9B514, GB00BMV9B621

Objectives:

The Vanguard Global Sustainable Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to provide an increase in the value of investments over the long-term (more than 5 years), through a combination of capital growth and income. The Fund aims to achieve this whilst selecting investments which meet certain sustainability criteria.

 

Sustainable, Responsible
&/or ESG Overview:

Vanguard Global Sustainable Equity Fund

  • A portfolio that prioritises return on capital and stewardship, in concert, has the potential to outperform.
  • Active ownership through engagement and proxy voting can influence company behaviour and create value for shareholders.
  • Benefits of stewardship and engagement accrue as time horizons are extended.
Primary fund last amended:

Oct 2024

Information directly from fund manager.

Fund Filters

Sustainability - General
Sustainability policy

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.

Sustainability focus

Find funds which substantially focus on sustainability issues

Sustainability theme or focus

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.

Encourage more sustainable practices through stewardship

A core element of these funds aim to encourage higher sustainability standards across business practices through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity

UN Global Compact linked exclusion policy

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/

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) focus

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).

Report against sustainability objectives

Find funds that publicly report their performance against specifically named sustainability objectives (in addition to reporting their financial performance)

Environmental - General
Environmental policy

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.

Resource efficiency policy or theme

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.

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

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.

Fracking and tar sands excluded

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.

Fossil fuel reserves exclusion

Funds that avoid investing in companies with coal, oil and gas reserves. See fund information for further details.

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

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.

Nuclear exclusion policy

Find funds that have policies which say they avoid or limit their investment in the nuclear industry. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Supply chain decarbonisation policy

Fund has a supply chain decarbonisation policy which sets out its position on the need to reduce carbon emissions throughout the investment chain. This will inform where the manager can and can not invest.

Fossil fuel exploration exclusion - direct involvement

The fund manager excludes companies with direct involvement in fossil fuel exploration (eg coal, oil and gas companies)

Fossil fuel exploration exclusion – indirect involvement

The fund manager excludes companies with indirect involvement in fossil fuel exploration. For example they would be expected to exclude banks and insurance companies that are effectively enabling new coal, oil and or gas reserves to be discovered and in due course extracted through the provision of necessary finance or services.

Require net zero action plan from all/most companies

Find funds that require all, or almost all, of the companies it invests in to have a ‘net zero action plan’ - meaning that the companies they invest in have worked out how they will, over time, reduce their total carbon (and other greenhouse gas) emissions to nil.

Social / Employment
Mining exclusion

All mining companies excluded

Ethical Values Led Exclusions
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.

Tobacco and related products - avoid where revenue > 5%

Companies are excluded if they make more than 5% of their revenue from the manufacture, sale or distribution of tobacco products including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.

Armaments manufacturers avoided

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.

Civilian firearms production exclusion

Find funds with a written civilian firearms exclusion policy - meaning that they will not invest in companies that make (or perhaps also sell) handguns made for non-military users.

Gambling avoidance policy

Find funds that avoid companies with significant involvement in the gambling industry. Some funds may allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund policy for further details.

Human Rights
Modern slavery exclusion policy

The fund has a policy which excludes assets with involvement in Modern Slavery

Gilts & Sovereigns
Does not invest in sovereigns

Find funds that do not invest in / exclude 'sovereigns' - debt issued by governments. See eg https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sovereign-debt.asp

Governance & Management
Governance policy

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.

Avoids companies with poor governance

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.

Anti-bribery and corruption policy

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.

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 TCFD alignment for banks & insurance companies

Find fund managers that encourage the banks and insurance companies they invest in to publish climate change related financial information - as set out by the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (with the aim of helping investors measure and respond to climate risk).

Encourage higher ESG standards through stewardship activity

A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity

Fund Governance
ESG integration strategy

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.

ESG factors included in Assessment of Value (AoV) report

Environmental, social and governance issues are part of this fund’s reporting of their ‘value’ to clients. AoV reporting is a statutory requirement. Including ESG factors in its calculation is not.

Asset Size
Over 50% large cap companies

Find funds that invests more than half of their money into what are commonly regarded as 'large companies'. This will typically mean that the market capitalisation (or value) of the companies they hold is in excess of £5 to £10 billion.

Invests in small, mid and large cap companies / assets

Find a fund that invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational)companies.

Invests mostly in large cap companies / assets

Find funds that have SRI strategies and focus their investment stock selection on larger companies. (e.g. over circa £5-£10bn)

Impact Methodologies
Aims to generate positive impacts (or 'outcomes')

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.

Invests in environmental solutions companies

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.

Invests in social solutions companies

Find funds that invest in companies where a major part of their business is specifically aimed at helping to address social challenges. e.g. companies helping to address poverty.

Aim to deliver positive impacts through engagement

Fund aims to deliver positive environmental and or social impacts (real world benefits) through its engagement with investee assets

How The Fund Works
Positive selection bias

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.

Limited / few ethical exclusions

Find funds with few exclusions - typically for example exclude tobacco or companies that breach commonly adopted standards or norms such as the UN Global Compact.

Balances company 'pros and cons' / best in sector

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.

Focus on ESG risk mitigation

A major focus of these funds is the careful management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) related risks - typically by avoiding or being underweight in companies seen as posing major risks in these areas (i.e. not necessarily by using themes, exclusions etc).

SRI / ESG / Ethical policies explained on website

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).

Use stock / securities lending

This fund uses, or can use, specialist strategies to aid performance which involve ‘lending’ fund assets to others at specific points in time.

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 interested in ethical issues

Find funds designed for clients who care about ethical and values-based issues, often alongside sustainability issues also.

Available via an ISA (OEIC only)

Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.

Fund Management Company Information

About The Business
Responsible ownership / stewardship policy or strategy (AFM company wide)

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.

ESG / SRI engagement (AFM company wide)

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.

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)

Find fund managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.

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).

Vulnerable client policy on website (AFM company wide)

Asset manager has information on their website that explains how they treat 'vulnerable clients' (as set out in FCA regulation)

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.

Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory

Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.

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

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.

Employ specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability researchers

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.

Use specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability research 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.

Accreditations
PRI A+ rated (AFM company wide)

Finds organisations / fund managers that have an A+ PRI rating - meaning they are highly rated according to the 'Principles of Responsible Investment'

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)

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.

Encourage responsible corporate taxation (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage more responsible corporate taxation.

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 to stop modern slavery

working with the assets they hold to help stamp out modern slavery - where direct or indirect company employees are exploited for business benefits.

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

Engaging to encourage more sustainable ‘diversifiers’ (e.g. derivatives)

Funds may use assets that are not directly aligned with sustainability objectives in order to help manage investment risk. Engaging for more sustainable options will aid alignment with fund objectives.

Engaging on the responsible use of AI

Working to address sustainability, ESG and related concerns around artificial intelligence.

Company Wide Exclusions
Do not invest in companies with fossil fuel reserves

Asset management company excludes companies with fossil fuel reserves across all assets/funds

Climate & Net Zero Transition
Publish 'CEO owned' Climate Risk policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that have published a Climate Risk policy or statement that is signed / owned by their Chief Executive.

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)

Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

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.

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)

Find fund management companies that are working to reduce their own (fund management company) carbon/greenhouse gas emissions.

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'.

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

Find companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.

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.

Dialshifter statement

Find fund management companies that have supplied Dialshifter information. See Dialshifter tab within record for more information.

Comments

Please note:

  • Net Zero - have set a Net Zero target date (AFM company wide) - for business operations

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:

Vanguard takes a sub-advised approach to the active management of our equity funds and partners with leading fund managers from around the world. The Vanguard Global Sustainable Equity Fund is managed by Wellington, it is an active fund whereby the investment adviser uses their expertise to pick investments to achieve the fund’s objectives. The fund uses an independent sub-investment adviser (the “manager”), Wellington Management Company, which follows a distinct approach in managing the fund’s investments.

 

ESG philosophy - Wellington believes that:

  • A portfolio that equally weights capital returns and ESG practices can beat the market over the long term.
  • Leading corporate ESG practices matter for long-term success.
  • Companies should consider the fair treatment of all constituents in pursuit of profits.
  • Great companies integrate material ESG factors in their long-term strategic planning.
  • Thoughtful capital and resource allocation along with strong governance practices can help companies sustain returns over time.
  • ESG practices can be a competitive advantage by lowering the cost of capital.
  • Companies with high and sustainable return on capital historically outperform.
  • ESG practices become more valuable as the holding period extends.
  • Engagement and proxy voting enable shareholders to hold management and boards accountable.
  • Even the most highly regarded ESG companies have room to improve.

Process:

Investment approach

The fund is managed by Wellington Management Company, who employ a long-term, high-quality approach that seeks to invest in companies with leading stewardship practices and high and persistent financial returns that adhere to certain sustainability criteria. The portfolio is built from the bottom up and starts with a universe of the world’s largest and most liquid stocks. Stock selection itself starts with fundamental research, looking for the best 10-year ideas from within the investment universe and focuses on the following company attributes as reflected by their Stewardship flywheel:

(i)         A proven track record of effective capital allocation.

(ii)        Demonstrated corporate responsibility and stewardship.

(iii)       Confidence that a wide gap between return on capital and cost of capital can be sustained.

 

The portfolio managers apply their own proprietary judgments when assessing the long-term fundamental appeal of each company and complement this research by engaging with them. Through their conversations with management teams and boards, the portfolio managers focus on each company’s outlook for sustaining return on capital and maintaining their position as leaders in stewardship.

 

Principle investment strategy

As noted above, the Vanguard Global Sustainable Equity Fund is an active fund whereby the investment adviser uses their expertise to pick investments to achieve the fund’s objectives. The fund uses an independent sub-investment adviser (the “manager”), Wellington Management Company, which follows a distinct approach in managing the fund’s investments.

 

The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing almost exclusively (at least 90% of the fund’s assets) in equity securities issued by large and mid-size companies located throughout the world, selected in accordance with the fund’s Sustainability Policy.

 

The fund has a specific focus on investing in and engaging with companies which display good ‘stewardship’ and are assessed as leaders in incorporating ESG risks and opportunities into their corporate strategy, along with a sustained track record of strong returns. Engagement is key to this strategy, as the portfolio managers aim to engage with a board member and executive from every company they invest in on a yearly basis and have a “constructivist” approach to engagement, looking to build collaboration with the companies.

 

The fund uses an investment approach based on bottom-up fundamental research into companies that exhibit attractive and persistent returns on equity and stewardship excellence. The manager is biased to own companies already in a position of strength, with established competitive positions, identifiable business advantages, a history of continuous improvement and innovation and inspiring leadership. To help evaluate the likelihood of continuing attractive returns, the manager places an emphasis on each company’s stewardship, with the belief that proper care and nurturing of a company’s valuable assets and intangibles is critical to the business’s long-term resilience.

 

Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:

For decades, Wellington has been a worldclass leader in integrating ESG considerations into its investment process. With more than 108 analysts covering either fundamental credit, equity and ESG research and sustainable investing and involved in more than 15,000 company meetings a year, the strength of its research capabilities gives Wellington fund managers a clear analytical edge.
Within Vanguard, there are close to 100 employees who consider ESG as part of their responsibilities. This includes employees in Investment Stewardship who consider ESG issues as part of their daily responsibilities, as well as employees who consider ESG issues as part of their broader role.


Our credit analysts develop independent risk assessments and investment opinions for each fixed income issuer. They seek to understand the investment implications of ESG risks and determine whether market pricing adequately reflects these risks.


Similarly, investment stewardship sector analysts use ESG data and research to inform our active ownership practices, including engagement. In our engagements, we advocate for effective oversight of ESG practices that consistently support the creation of long-term value for investors.


Representatives from all these groups also sit on our cross-divisional responsible investment team. In recent years, additional staff members were hired to support our approach to analysing ESG risks in our funds.

The Fixed Income Group (FIG) credit research analysts make use of both internal and external sources for ESG information.


Internal resources

For our active fixed income assets, the team evaluates financial and credit trends across sectors, as well as for individual issuers in which Vanguard invests (or expects to invest). Credit analysts perform an objective, thorough and independent analysis of an issuer’s overall creditworthiness for those securities. This research process may include:

  • Analysis of the issuer’s recent and historical financial statements
  • Sensitivity testing on projected cash flows
  • Discussions with management and/or rating agency analysts
  • Site visits
  • Road show presentations


These resources are inputs to independent analyses conducted by our team of credit research analysts, which are tailored to each investment opportunity. Our approach carefully considers the investment implications of ESG risk factors along with other risk factors to ensure thorough due diligence is done both prior to initial investment and on an ongoing basis. FIG incorporates the views of our credit analysts within the issuer selection process.

In addition, credit analysts in FIG use an ESG risk assessment process to flag issuers with material ESG risks. Analysts are responsible for identifying, recording, and monitoring the issuer’s ESG risk and progress toward addressing related issues. This process is overseen by our ESG committee, composed of six members of the global fixed income credit research team. This committee complements our investment decision-making process, including the assessment of ESG risks among other risk assessments conducted by our team of fixed income analysts. The committee is responsible for evaluating external ESG data and research resources used in our investment processes. Team members are also responsible for the continuous improvement in the integration of ESG concepts and department operating procedures.


External resources

Our dedicated research team will use information provided by various sources, including the rating agencies (i.e. Moody’s & S&P), Bloomberg, Sustainalytics sell-side research, and issuers. These resources are inputs to independent analyses conducted by our team of credit research analysts, which are tailored to each investment opportunity. Our approach carefully considers the investment implications of ESG risk factors along with other risk factors to ensure thorough due diligence is done both prior to initial investment and on an ongoing basis.


Participation in industry initiatives

Vanguard is involved in the following initiatives (year in brackets denotes when we joined or became a signatory):

  • Commonsense Corporate Governance Principles (2016)   Vanguard is a founding member of this initiative. Former Vanguard CEO, Bill McNabb, participated in preparing the Commonsense Principles of Corporate Governance position paper.
  • Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (2016)   Vanguard serves on The Investor Advisory Group.
  • Investor Stewardship Group (2017)   Vanguard is a founding member. We actively promote the framework and engage with companies on its substance.
  • 30% Club (2017)In May 2017, Vanguard joined the 30% Club, a global organisation that advocates for greater representation of women in boardrooms and leadership roles.
  • Principles for Responsible Investment (2014)Vanguard is a signatory and fully committed to the adoption of the principles.
  • International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) (2019)ICGN is an investor-led organisation with a mission to promote effective standards of corporate governance and investor stewardship to advance efficient markets and sustainable economies worldwide.
  • CDP Global (2018)CDP Climate Change, signatoryCDP Forests, signatoryCDP Water, signatory
  • Council of Institutional Investors (CII) (2017)CII is a non-profit, non-partisan association of corporate, public and union employee benefit funds and endowments with a focused policy mission: to be the leading voice for effective corporate governance practices for US companies and strong shareowner rights and protections.
  • CECP (CEO Force for Good) Strategic Investor InitiativeCo-chaired by Vanguard's former CEO, Bill McNabb, it encourages companies to share their long-term strategic stories and focus more of their disclosure and reporting on sustainable long-term value creation.
  • Embankment Project for Inclusive Capitalism (EPIC) sponsored by the Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism (2018)EPIC was an 18-month long collaborative initiative which brought together professionals from 31 companies, asset managers and asset owners, who worked together to identify and create new metrics in order to demonstrate and measure long-term value in financial markets. Vanguard served as chair of the Existing Initiatives working group.
  • Business Roundtable’s Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation (2019)Vanguard is a signatory.
  • Energy Transition and Care for Our Common Home participant statement (2019)The Vatican’s participant statement on climate risk disclosures calls on companies to be transparent about climate-related matters and disclose them to investors. Vanguard is a signatory.
  • Net Zero Asset Managers initiative (NZAM) (2021)Founded in December 2020, the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative is a group of global asset managers committed to supporting the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions, in line with global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and to support investing aligned with net zero emissions, both by 2050 or sooner.

Vanguard is also supportive of local governance or stewardship codes, such as:

.

Important Information

Confidentiality

The information contained in this document, including attachments, is confidential information and property of Vanguard Asset Management, Limited, The Vanguard Group, Inc. and their affiliates. The information may not be divulged or communicated to any third parties without the prior written consent of Vanguard Asset Management, Limited, unless it is needed for the execution of the present document or when divulgation is required by law.

Investment Risk Information

The value of investments, and the income from them, may fall or rise and investors may get back less than they invested.

Some funds invest in emerging markets which can be more volatile than more established markets. As a result the value of your investment may rise or fall.

ETF shares can be bought or sold only through a broker. Investing in ETFs entails stockbroker commission and a bid-offer spread which should be considered fully before investing.Funds investing in fixed interest securities carry the risk of default on repayment and erosion of the capital value of your investment and the level of income may fluctuate. Movements in interest rates are likely to affect the capital value of fixed interest securities. Corporate bonds may provide higher yields but as such may carry greater credit risk increasing the risk of default on repayment and erosion of the capital value of your investment. The level of income may fluctuate and movements in interest rates are likely to affect the capital value of bonds.

The funds may use derivatives in order to reduce risk or cost and/or generate extra income or growth. The use of derivatives could increase or reduce exposure to underlying assets and result in greater fluctuations of the funds’ net asset value. A derivative is a financial contract whose value is based on the value of a financial asset (such as a share, bond, or currency) or a market index.

Some funds invest in securities which are denominated in different currencies. Movements in currency exchange rates can affect the return of investments.For further information on risks please see the “Risk Factors” section of the prospectus on our website at https://global.vanguard.com.

Disclaimer

This document is directed at professional investors and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by retail investors.

For further information on the funds’ investment policies and risks, please refer to the prospectus of the UCITS and to the Key Investor Information Document (“KIID”) before making any final investment decisions. The KIID for this fund is available, alongside the prospectus via Vanguard’s website https://global.vanguard.com/

This document is designed for use by, and is directed only at, persons resident in the UK.

The information contained in this document is not to be regarded as an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell securities in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation is against the law, or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation, or if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so. The information in this document is general in nature and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Potential investors are urged to consult their professional advisers on the implications of making an investment in, holding or disposing of units/shares of, and the receipt of distribution from any investment.

Vanguard Investment Series plc & Vanguard Funds plc have been authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland as a UCITS and have been registered for public distribution in certain EEA countries and the UK. Prospective investors are referred to the funds' prospectus for further information. Prospective investors are also urged to consult their own professional advisers on the implications of making an investment in, and holding or disposing shares of the funds and the receipt of distributions with respect to such shares under the law of the countries in which they are liable to taxation.

The Manager of Vanguard Investment Series plc is Vanguard Group (Ireland) Limited. Vanguard Asset Management, Limited is a distributor of Vanguard Investment Series plc.

The Manager of Vanguard Funds plc is Vanguard Group (Ireland) Limited. Vanguard Asset Management, Limited is a distributor for Vanguard Funds plc.

The Indicative Net Asset Value (iNAV) for Vanguard’s ETFs is published on Bloomberg or Reuters. Refer to the Portfolio Holdings Policy at https://global.vanguard.com/portal/site/portal/ucits-documentation for holdings information.

The Manager of the Ireland-domiciled funds may determine to terminate any arrangements made for marketing the shares in one or more jurisdictions in accordance with the UCITS Directive, as may be amended from time-to-time.

For investors in UK-domiciled funds, a summary of investor rights can be obtained via https://global.vanguard.com/portal/site/portal/ucits-investing-with-us and is available in English.

For investors in Ireland-domiciled funds, a summary of investor rights can be obtained via https://global.vanguard.com/portal/site/portal/ucits-investing-with-us and is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch and Italian.

The Authorised Corporate Director for Vanguard Investments Funds ICVC is Vanguard Investments UK, Limited. Vanguard Asset Management, Limited is a distributor of Vanguard Investments Funds ICVC.

London Stock Exchange Group companies include FTSE International Limited ("FTSE"), Frank Russell Company ("Russell"), MTS Next Limited ("MTS"), and FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Inc. ("FTSE TMX"). All rights reserved. "FTSE®", "Russell®", "MTS®", "FTSE TMX®" and "FTSE Russell" and other service marks and trademarks related to the FTSE or Russell indexes are trademarks of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and are used by FTSE, MTS, FTSE TMX and Russell under license. All information is provided for information purposes only. No responsibility or liability can be accepted by the London Stock Exchange Group companies nor its licensors for any errors or for any loss from use of this publication. Neither the London Stock Exchange Group companies nor any of its licensors make any claim, prediction, warranty or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to the results to be obtained from the use of the FTSE Indexes or the fitness or suitability of the Indexes for any particular purpose to which they might be put.

"Bloomberg®" and Bloomberg EUR Non-Government Float Adjusted Bond Index are service marks of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates, including Bloomberg Index Services Limited ("BISL"), the administrator of the index (collectively, "Bloomberg") and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by Vanguard. Bloomberg is not affiliated with Vanguard, and Bloomberg does not approve, endorse, review, or recommend Vanguard SRI Euro Investment Grade Bond. Bloomberg does not guarantee the timeliness, accurateness, or completeness of any data or information relating to Vanguard SRI Euro Investment Grade Bond.

SEDOL and SEDOL Masterfile® are registered trademarks of the London Stock Exchange Group PLC. SEDOL Data has been provided from the London Stock Exchange's SEDOL Masterfile®

Issued by Vanguard Asset Management, Limited which is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

© 2022 Vanguard Asset Management, Limited. All rights reserved

Dialshifter

Our organisation is helping to support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Race to Net Zero by…

 

Please refer to our website:

https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/corporatesite/us/en/corp/who-we-are/we-care-about/sustainability.html

SDR Labelling: Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics

Fund Name SRI Style SDR Labelling Product Region Asset Type Launch Date Last Amended

Vanguard Global Capital Stewards Equity Fund

Sustainability Tilt Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics OEIC Global Equity 08/12/2021 Oct 2024

Objectives

The Vanguard Global Sustainable Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to provide an increase in the value of investments over the long-term (more than 5 years), through a combination of capital growth and income. The Fund aims to achieve this whilst selecting investments which meet certain sustainability criteria.

 

Fund Size: £100.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

Total Screened Themed SRI Assets: £42100.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

Total Responsible Ownership Assets: £1376000.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

Total Assets Under Management: £7292100.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

ISIN: GB00BMV9B514, GB00BMV9B621

Contact Us: UK_internals@vanguard.com

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Overview

Vanguard Global Sustainable Equity Fund

  • A portfolio that prioritises return on capital and stewardship, in concert, has the potential to outperform.
  • Active ownership through engagement and proxy voting can influence company behaviour and create value for shareholders.
  • Benefits of stewardship and engagement accrue as time horizons are extended.

Primary fund last amended: Oct 2024

Information received directly from Fund Manager

Please select what you would like to read:

Fund Filters

Sustainability - General
Sustainability policy

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.

Sustainability focus

Find funds which substantially focus on sustainability issues

Sustainability theme or focus

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.

Encourage more sustainable practices through stewardship

A core element of these funds aim to encourage higher sustainability standards across business practices through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity

UN Global Compact linked exclusion policy

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/

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) focus

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).

Report against sustainability objectives

Find funds that publicly report their performance against specifically named sustainability objectives (in addition to reporting their financial performance)

Environmental - General
Environmental policy

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.

Resource efficiency policy or theme

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.

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

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.

Fracking and tar sands excluded

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.

Fossil fuel reserves exclusion

Funds that avoid investing in companies with coal, oil and gas reserves. See fund information for further details.

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

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.

Nuclear exclusion policy

Find funds that have policies which say they avoid or limit their investment in the nuclear industry. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Supply chain decarbonisation policy

Fund has a supply chain decarbonisation policy which sets out its position on the need to reduce carbon emissions throughout the investment chain. This will inform where the manager can and can not invest.

Fossil fuel exploration exclusion - direct involvement

The fund manager excludes companies with direct involvement in fossil fuel exploration (eg coal, oil and gas companies)

Fossil fuel exploration exclusion – indirect involvement

The fund manager excludes companies with indirect involvement in fossil fuel exploration. For example they would be expected to exclude banks and insurance companies that are effectively enabling new coal, oil and or gas reserves to be discovered and in due course extracted through the provision of necessary finance or services.

Require net zero action plan from all/most companies

Find funds that require all, or almost all, of the companies it invests in to have a ‘net zero action plan’ - meaning that the companies they invest in have worked out how they will, over time, reduce their total carbon (and other greenhouse gas) emissions to nil.

Social / Employment
Mining exclusion

All mining companies excluded

Ethical Values Led Exclusions
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.

Tobacco and related products - avoid where revenue > 5%

Companies are excluded if they make more than 5% of their revenue from the manufacture, sale or distribution of tobacco products including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.

Armaments manufacturers avoided

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.

Civilian firearms production exclusion

Find funds with a written civilian firearms exclusion policy - meaning that they will not invest in companies that make (or perhaps also sell) handguns made for non-military users.

Gambling avoidance policy

Find funds that avoid companies with significant involvement in the gambling industry. Some funds may allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund policy for further details.

Human Rights
Modern slavery exclusion policy

The fund has a policy which excludes assets with involvement in Modern Slavery

Gilts & Sovereigns
Does not invest in sovereigns

Find funds that do not invest in / exclude 'sovereigns' - debt issued by governments. See eg https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sovereign-debt.asp

Governance & Management
Governance policy

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.

Avoids companies with poor governance

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.

Anti-bribery and corruption policy

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.

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 TCFD alignment for banks & insurance companies

Find fund managers that encourage the banks and insurance companies they invest in to publish climate change related financial information - as set out by the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (with the aim of helping investors measure and respond to climate risk).

Encourage higher ESG standards through stewardship activity

A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity

Fund Governance
ESG integration strategy

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.

ESG factors included in Assessment of Value (AoV) report

Environmental, social and governance issues are part of this fund’s reporting of their ‘value’ to clients. AoV reporting is a statutory requirement. Including ESG factors in its calculation is not.

Asset Size
Over 50% large cap companies

Find funds that invests more than half of their money into what are commonly regarded as 'large companies'. This will typically mean that the market capitalisation (or value) of the companies they hold is in excess of £5 to £10 billion.

Invests in small, mid and large cap companies / assets

Find a fund that invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational)companies.

Invests mostly in large cap companies / assets

Find funds that have SRI strategies and focus their investment stock selection on larger companies. (e.g. over circa £5-£10bn)

Impact Methodologies
Aims to generate positive impacts (or 'outcomes')

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.

Invests in environmental solutions companies

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.

Invests in social solutions companies

Find funds that invest in companies where a major part of their business is specifically aimed at helping to address social challenges. e.g. companies helping to address poverty.

Aim to deliver positive impacts through engagement

Fund aims to deliver positive environmental and or social impacts (real world benefits) through its engagement with investee assets

How The Fund Works
Positive selection bias

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.

Limited / few ethical exclusions

Find funds with few exclusions - typically for example exclude tobacco or companies that breach commonly adopted standards or norms such as the UN Global Compact.

Balances company 'pros and cons' / best in sector

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.

Focus on ESG risk mitigation

A major focus of these funds is the careful management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) related risks - typically by avoiding or being underweight in companies seen as posing major risks in these areas (i.e. not necessarily by using themes, exclusions etc).

SRI / ESG / Ethical policies explained on website

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).

Use stock / securities lending

This fund uses, or can use, specialist strategies to aid performance which involve ‘lending’ fund assets to others at specific points in time.

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 interested in ethical issues

Find funds designed for clients who care about ethical and values-based issues, often alongside sustainability issues also.

Available via an ISA (OEIC only)

Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.

Fund Management Company Information

About The Business
Responsible ownership / stewardship policy or strategy (AFM company wide)

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.

ESG / SRI engagement (AFM company wide)

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.

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)

Find fund managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.

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).

Vulnerable client policy on website (AFM company wide)

Asset manager has information on their website that explains how they treat 'vulnerable clients' (as set out in FCA regulation)

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.

Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory

Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.

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

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.

Employ specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability researchers

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.

Use specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability research 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.

Accreditations
PRI A+ rated (AFM company wide)

Finds organisations / fund managers that have an A+ PRI rating - meaning they are highly rated according to the 'Principles of Responsible Investment'

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)

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.

Encourage responsible corporate taxation (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage more responsible corporate taxation.

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 to stop modern slavery

working with the assets they hold to help stamp out modern slavery - where direct or indirect company employees are exploited for business benefits.

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

Engaging to encourage more sustainable ‘diversifiers’ (e.g. derivatives)

Funds may use assets that are not directly aligned with sustainability objectives in order to help manage investment risk. Engaging for more sustainable options will aid alignment with fund objectives.

Engaging on the responsible use of AI

Working to address sustainability, ESG and related concerns around artificial intelligence.

Company Wide Exclusions
Do not invest in companies with fossil fuel reserves

Asset management company excludes companies with fossil fuel reserves across all assets/funds

Climate & Net Zero Transition
Publish 'CEO owned' Climate Risk policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that have published a Climate Risk policy or statement that is signed / owned by their Chief Executive.

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)

Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

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.

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)

Find fund management companies that are working to reduce their own (fund management company) carbon/greenhouse gas emissions.

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'.

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

Find companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.

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.

Dialshifter statement

Find fund management companies that have supplied Dialshifter information. See Dialshifter tab within record for more information.

Comments

Please note:

  • Net Zero - have set a Net Zero target date (AFM company wide) - for business operations

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:

Vanguard takes a sub-advised approach to the active management of our equity funds and partners with leading fund managers from around the world. The Vanguard Global Sustainable Equity Fund is managed by Wellington, it is an active fund whereby the investment adviser uses their expertise to pick investments to achieve the fund’s objectives. The fund uses an independent sub-investment adviser (the “manager”), Wellington Management Company, which follows a distinct approach in managing the fund’s investments.

 

ESG philosophy - Wellington believes that:

  • A portfolio that equally weights capital returns and ESG practices can beat the market over the long term.
  • Leading corporate ESG practices matter for long-term success.
  • Companies should consider the fair treatment of all constituents in pursuit of profits.
  • Great companies integrate material ESG factors in their long-term strategic planning.
  • Thoughtful capital and resource allocation along with strong governance practices can help companies sustain returns over time.
  • ESG practices can be a competitive advantage by lowering the cost of capital.
  • Companies with high and sustainable return on capital historically outperform.
  • ESG practices become more valuable as the holding period extends.
  • Engagement and proxy voting enable shareholders to hold management and boards accountable.
  • Even the most highly regarded ESG companies have room to improve.

Process:

Investment approach

The fund is managed by Wellington Management Company, who employ a long-term, high-quality approach that seeks to invest in companies with leading stewardship practices and high and persistent financial returns that adhere to certain sustainability criteria. The portfolio is built from the bottom up and starts with a universe of the world’s largest and most liquid stocks. Stock selection itself starts with fundamental research, looking for the best 10-year ideas from within the investment universe and focuses on the following company attributes as reflected by their Stewardship flywheel:

(i)         A proven track record of effective capital allocation.

(ii)        Demonstrated corporate responsibility and stewardship.

(iii)       Confidence that a wide gap between return on capital and cost of capital can be sustained.

 

The portfolio managers apply their own proprietary judgments when assessing the long-term fundamental appeal of each company and complement this research by engaging with them. Through their conversations with management teams and boards, the portfolio managers focus on each company’s outlook for sustaining return on capital and maintaining their position as leaders in stewardship.

 

Principle investment strategy

As noted above, the Vanguard Global Sustainable Equity Fund is an active fund whereby the investment adviser uses their expertise to pick investments to achieve the fund’s objectives. The fund uses an independent sub-investment adviser (the “manager”), Wellington Management Company, which follows a distinct approach in managing the fund’s investments.

 

The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing almost exclusively (at least 90% of the fund’s assets) in equity securities issued by large and mid-size companies located throughout the world, selected in accordance with the fund’s Sustainability Policy.

 

The fund has a specific focus on investing in and engaging with companies which display good ‘stewardship’ and are assessed as leaders in incorporating ESG risks and opportunities into their corporate strategy, along with a sustained track record of strong returns. Engagement is key to this strategy, as the portfolio managers aim to engage with a board member and executive from every company they invest in on a yearly basis and have a “constructivist” approach to engagement, looking to build collaboration with the companies.

 

The fund uses an investment approach based on bottom-up fundamental research into companies that exhibit attractive and persistent returns on equity and stewardship excellence. The manager is biased to own companies already in a position of strength, with established competitive positions, identifiable business advantages, a history of continuous improvement and innovation and inspiring leadership. To help evaluate the likelihood of continuing attractive returns, the manager places an emphasis on each company’s stewardship, with the belief that proper care and nurturing of a company’s valuable assets and intangibles is critical to the business’s long-term resilience.

 

Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:

For decades, Wellington has been a worldclass leader in integrating ESG considerations into its investment process. With more than 108 analysts covering either fundamental credit, equity and ESG research and sustainable investing and involved in more than 15,000 company meetings a year, the strength of its research capabilities gives Wellington fund managers a clear analytical edge.
Within Vanguard, there are close to 100 employees who consider ESG as part of their responsibilities. This includes employees in Investment Stewardship who consider ESG issues as part of their daily responsibilities, as well as employees who consider ESG issues as part of their broader role.


Our credit analysts develop independent risk assessments and investment opinions for each fixed income issuer. They seek to understand the investment implications of ESG risks and determine whether market pricing adequately reflects these risks.


Similarly, investment stewardship sector analysts use ESG data and research to inform our active ownership practices, including engagement. In our engagements, we advocate for effective oversight of ESG practices that consistently support the creation of long-term value for investors.


Representatives from all these groups also sit on our cross-divisional responsible investment team. In recent years, additional staff members were hired to support our approach to analysing ESG risks in our funds.

The Fixed Income Group (FIG) credit research analysts make use of both internal and external sources for ESG information.


Internal resources

For our active fixed income assets, the team evaluates financial and credit trends across sectors, as well as for individual issuers in which Vanguard invests (or expects to invest). Credit analysts perform an objective, thorough and independent analysis of an issuer’s overall creditworthiness for those securities. This research process may include:

  • Analysis of the issuer’s recent and historical financial statements
  • Sensitivity testing on projected cash flows
  • Discussions with management and/or rating agency analysts
  • Site visits
  • Road show presentations


These resources are inputs to independent analyses conducted by our team of credit research analysts, which are tailored to each investment opportunity. Our approach carefully considers the investment implications of ESG risk factors along with other risk factors to ensure thorough due diligence is done both prior to initial investment and on an ongoing basis. FIG incorporates the views of our credit analysts within the issuer selection process.

In addition, credit analysts in FIG use an ESG risk assessment process to flag issuers with material ESG risks. Analysts are responsible for identifying, recording, and monitoring the issuer’s ESG risk and progress toward addressing related issues. This process is overseen by our ESG committee, composed of six members of the global fixed income credit research team. This committee complements our investment decision-making process, including the assessment of ESG risks among other risk assessments conducted by our team of fixed income analysts. The committee is responsible for evaluating external ESG data and research resources used in our investment processes. Team members are also responsible for the continuous improvement in the integration of ESG concepts and department operating procedures.


External resources

Our dedicated research team will use information provided by various sources, including the rating agencies (i.e. Moody’s & S&P), Bloomberg, Sustainalytics sell-side research, and issuers. These resources are inputs to independent analyses conducted by our team of credit research analysts, which are tailored to each investment opportunity. Our approach carefully considers the investment implications of ESG risk factors along with other risk factors to ensure thorough due diligence is done both prior to initial investment and on an ongoing basis.


Participation in industry initiatives

Vanguard is involved in the following initiatives (year in brackets denotes when we joined or became a signatory):

  • Commonsense Corporate Governance Principles (2016)   Vanguard is a founding member of this initiative. Former Vanguard CEO, Bill McNabb, participated in preparing the Commonsense Principles of Corporate Governance position paper.
  • Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (2016)   Vanguard serves on The Investor Advisory Group.
  • Investor Stewardship Group (2017)   Vanguard is a founding member. We actively promote the framework and engage with companies on its substance.
  • 30% Club (2017)In May 2017, Vanguard joined the 30% Club, a global organisation that advocates for greater representation of women in boardrooms and leadership roles.
  • Principles for Responsible Investment (2014)Vanguard is a signatory and fully committed to the adoption of the principles.
  • International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) (2019)ICGN is an investor-led organisation with a mission to promote effective standards of corporate governance and investor stewardship to advance efficient markets and sustainable economies worldwide.
  • CDP Global (2018)CDP Climate Change, signatoryCDP Forests, signatoryCDP Water, signatory
  • Council of Institutional Investors (CII) (2017)CII is a non-profit, non-partisan association of corporate, public and union employee benefit funds and endowments with a focused policy mission: to be the leading voice for effective corporate governance practices for US companies and strong shareowner rights and protections.
  • CECP (CEO Force for Good) Strategic Investor InitiativeCo-chaired by Vanguard's former CEO, Bill McNabb, it encourages companies to share their long-term strategic stories and focus more of their disclosure and reporting on sustainable long-term value creation.
  • Embankment Project for Inclusive Capitalism (EPIC) sponsored by the Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism (2018)EPIC was an 18-month long collaborative initiative which brought together professionals from 31 companies, asset managers and asset owners, who worked together to identify and create new metrics in order to demonstrate and measure long-term value in financial markets. Vanguard served as chair of the Existing Initiatives working group.
  • Business Roundtable’s Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation (2019)Vanguard is a signatory.
  • Energy Transition and Care for Our Common Home participant statement (2019)The Vatican’s participant statement on climate risk disclosures calls on companies to be transparent about climate-related matters and disclose them to investors. Vanguard is a signatory.
  • Net Zero Asset Managers initiative (NZAM) (2021)Founded in December 2020, the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative is a group of global asset managers committed to supporting the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions, in line with global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and to support investing aligned with net zero emissions, both by 2050 or sooner.

Vanguard is also supportive of local governance or stewardship codes, such as:

.

Important Information

Confidentiality

The information contained in this document, including attachments, is confidential information and property of Vanguard Asset Management, Limited, The Vanguard Group, Inc. and their affiliates. The information may not be divulged or communicated to any third parties without the prior written consent of Vanguard Asset Management, Limited, unless it is needed for the execution of the present document or when divulgation is required by law.

Investment Risk Information

The value of investments, and the income from them, may fall or rise and investors may get back less than they invested.

Some funds invest in emerging markets which can be more volatile than more established markets. As a result the value of your investment may rise or fall.

ETF shares can be bought or sold only through a broker. Investing in ETFs entails stockbroker commission and a bid-offer spread which should be considered fully before investing.Funds investing in fixed interest securities carry the risk of default on repayment and erosion of the capital value of your investment and the level of income may fluctuate. Movements in interest rates are likely to affect the capital value of fixed interest securities. Corporate bonds may provide higher yields but as such may carry greater credit risk increasing the risk of default on repayment and erosion of the capital value of your investment. The level of income may fluctuate and movements in interest rates are likely to affect the capital value of bonds.

The funds may use derivatives in order to reduce risk or cost and/or generate extra income or growth. The use of derivatives could increase or reduce exposure to underlying assets and result in greater fluctuations of the funds’ net asset value. A derivative is a financial contract whose value is based on the value of a financial asset (such as a share, bond, or currency) or a market index.

Some funds invest in securities which are denominated in different currencies. Movements in currency exchange rates can affect the return of investments.For further information on risks please see the “Risk Factors” section of the prospectus on our website at https://global.vanguard.com.

Disclaimer

This document is directed at professional investors and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by retail investors.

For further information on the funds’ investment policies and risks, please refer to the prospectus of the UCITS and to the Key Investor Information Document (“KIID”) before making any final investment decisions. The KIID for this fund is available, alongside the prospectus via Vanguard’s website https://global.vanguard.com/

This document is designed for use by, and is directed only at, persons resident in the UK.

The information contained in this document is not to be regarded as an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell securities in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation is against the law, or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation, or if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so. The information in this document is general in nature and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Potential investors are urged to consult their professional advisers on the implications of making an investment in, holding or disposing of units/shares of, and the receipt of distribution from any investment.

Vanguard Investment Series plc & Vanguard Funds plc have been authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland as a UCITS and have been registered for public distribution in certain EEA countries and the UK. Prospective investors are referred to the funds' prospectus for further information. Prospective investors are also urged to consult their own professional advisers on the implications of making an investment in, and holding or disposing shares of the funds and the receipt of distributions with respect to such shares under the law of the countries in which they are liable to taxation.

The Manager of Vanguard Investment Series plc is Vanguard Group (Ireland) Limited. Vanguard Asset Management, Limited is a distributor of Vanguard Investment Series plc.

The Manager of Vanguard Funds plc is Vanguard Group (Ireland) Limited. Vanguard Asset Management, Limited is a distributor for Vanguard Funds plc.

The Indicative Net Asset Value (iNAV) for Vanguard’s ETFs is published on Bloomberg or Reuters. Refer to the Portfolio Holdings Policy at https://global.vanguard.com/portal/site/portal/ucits-documentation for holdings information.

The Manager of the Ireland-domiciled funds may determine to terminate any arrangements made for marketing the shares in one or more jurisdictions in accordance with the UCITS Directive, as may be amended from time-to-time.

For investors in UK-domiciled funds, a summary of investor rights can be obtained via https://global.vanguard.com/portal/site/portal/ucits-investing-with-us and is available in English.

For investors in Ireland-domiciled funds, a summary of investor rights can be obtained via https://global.vanguard.com/portal/site/portal/ucits-investing-with-us and is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch and Italian.

The Authorised Corporate Director for Vanguard Investments Funds ICVC is Vanguard Investments UK, Limited. Vanguard Asset Management, Limited is a distributor of Vanguard Investments Funds ICVC.

London Stock Exchange Group companies include FTSE International Limited ("FTSE"), Frank Russell Company ("Russell"), MTS Next Limited ("MTS"), and FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Inc. ("FTSE TMX"). All rights reserved. "FTSE®", "Russell®", "MTS®", "FTSE TMX®" and "FTSE Russell" and other service marks and trademarks related to the FTSE or Russell indexes are trademarks of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and are used by FTSE, MTS, FTSE TMX and Russell under license. All information is provided for information purposes only. No responsibility or liability can be accepted by the London Stock Exchange Group companies nor its licensors for any errors or for any loss from use of this publication. Neither the London Stock Exchange Group companies nor any of its licensors make any claim, prediction, warranty or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to the results to be obtained from the use of the FTSE Indexes or the fitness or suitability of the Indexes for any particular purpose to which they might be put.

"Bloomberg®" and Bloomberg EUR Non-Government Float Adjusted Bond Index are service marks of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates, including Bloomberg Index Services Limited ("BISL"), the administrator of the index (collectively, "Bloomberg") and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by Vanguard. Bloomberg is not affiliated with Vanguard, and Bloomberg does not approve, endorse, review, or recommend Vanguard SRI Euro Investment Grade Bond. Bloomberg does not guarantee the timeliness, accurateness, or completeness of any data or information relating to Vanguard SRI Euro Investment Grade Bond.

SEDOL and SEDOL Masterfile® are registered trademarks of the London Stock Exchange Group PLC. SEDOL Data has been provided from the London Stock Exchange's SEDOL Masterfile®

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