Pictet Quest Europe Sustainable Equities Fund

SRI Style:

Sustainable Style

SDR Labelling:

Not eligible to use label

Product:

SICAV/Offshore

Fund Region:

Europe

Fund Asset Type:

Equity

Launch Date:

30/03/2012

Last Amended:

May 2023

Dialshifter ():

Fund Size:

£1350.00m

(as at: 31/07/2024)

Total Screened Themed SRI Assets:

£49415.00m

(as at: 31/07/2024)

Total Responsible Ownership Assets:

£174795.00m

(as at: 31/07/2024)

Total Assets Under Management:

£224615.00m

(as at: 31/07/2024)

ISIN:

LU0144509550, LU2190601570

Objectives:

To increase the value of your investment. By investing in robust, sustainable companies we seek to generate market returns with fewer risks

 

Sustainable, Responsible
&/or ESG Overview:

Awaiting update from manager (August 2024)

 

Pictet - Quest Europe Sustainable Equities invests in companies focussed on delivering long term shareholder returns through positive economic, social and environmental impact. We view sustainability as an underlying driver for innovation and profitable growth as well as key to managing unforeseen risks.

Primary fund last amended:

May 2023

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 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.

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/

Environmental - General
Limits exposure to carbon intensive industries

Funds that limit or 'reduce' their exposure to carbon intensive industries (ie sectors which are major contributors to climate change. Funds vary - some funds may be 'underweight' in this area which means they may have some investment in highly carbon intensive areas. Funds of this kind may choose companies they consider to be 'best in sector' and encourage ever higher standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further details.

Environmental damage and pollution policy

Funds that have written policies explaining the approach they take when companies damage the environment or are significant polluters. Funds of this kind may work with companies to encourage higher standards, or exclude companies - sometimes dependent on the situation. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Favours cleaner, greener companies

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.

Nature & Biodiversity
Genetic engineering exclusion

Fund avoids assets / companies directly involved in genetic engineering

Climate Change & Energy
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.

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

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

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.

Social / Employment
Social policy

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.

Labour standards policy

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

Favours companies with strong social policies

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.

Health & wellbeing policies or theme

Find funds with policies or themes that set out their approach to health and wellbeing issues. Funds of this kind typically aim to invest in companies with high standards - or encourage high standards. Themed funds are likely to have more of an emphasis on this area. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Ethical policies

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.

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

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.

Alcohol production excluded

Find funds that avoid investment in companies involved in the production of alcohol. Strategies vary; some funds allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund literature for further information.

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.

Pornography avoidance policy

Find funds that avoid companies that derive significant income from pornography and related areas. Strategies vary. See fund details for further information.

Human Rights
Human rights policy

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.

Child labour exclusion

Find funds that have policies in place to ensure they do not invest in companies that employ children.

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 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
Employ external (fund) oversight or advisory committee

Find funds that have an external committee that helps steer or advise fund managers on SRI policy or strategy related issues. These people may be paid for their time but are not employees of the fund manager.

External (fund) committee has veto powers

Find funds that employ an external committee (i.e. not company employees) that has power to veto (i.e. overrule) fund managers stock selection decisions. (This would typically mean the committee can tell the manager of this particular fund not to buy / sell a specific investment when they consider it appropriate to do so.)

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.

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 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)

Invest in supranationals

International entities or bodies with agreed remits that are broadly similar to those that may otherwise be undertaken by individual governments eg the UN

Targeted Positive Investments
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.

EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy holdings >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 over 25% of fund 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')

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.

Measures positive impacts

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.

Invests in sustainability / ESG disruptors

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
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.

Negative selection bias

Find funds where their main 'ethical approach' is to avoid companies by using negative screening criteria. Read fund literature for further information.

Combines norms based exclusions with other SRI criteria

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.

Combines ESG strategy with other SRI criteria

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.

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.

Norms focus

Find funds that use internationally agreed standards, conventions and 'norms' to help direct where the fund can and cannot invest (e.g. the UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Development Goals). Read fund literature for further information.

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).

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)

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

Labels & Accreditations
SFDR Article 8 fund / product (EU)

Finds funds classified under Article 8 of the EU’s SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Requirements). Article 8 of the SFDR is a set of requirements that apply to financial products that 'promote' environmental or social characteristics with high governance also. These rules do not currently apply to UK funds so many managers may leave this field blank.

Fund Management Company Information

About The Business
Boutique / specialist fund management company

Find fund management companies that are smaller or specialise in particular areas - notably, ideally ESG related. Strategies vary.

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.

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.

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.

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 structured intermediary training on sustainable investment

Fund management entity offers unstructured intermediary training on sustainable investment (ie for financial advisers and wealth managers)

Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory

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

Fund EcoMarket partner

Find fund management companies that have partnered with Fund EcoMarket - meaning that they are helping to improve access to information on sustainable and responsible investment by paying an annual fee to us which enables us to publish information for free. Partner funds are listed ahead of other funds and have their logos displayed.

UN Principles of Responsible Banking framework signatory-co wide

This asset manager has signed up to the UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) program which aims to encourage more responsible banking practices – focused on environmental and social issues.

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

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
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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 offsetting - offset carbon as part of our net zero plan (AFM company wide)

This asset management company plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions with the help of a scheme that will lock away an amount of carbon that is equivalent to the company’s own emissions – so that the end result is ‘net zero’. 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'.

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

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

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.

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:

It is our belief that there is no disconnect between long term profitable growth and sustainability. More and more companies are incorporating sustainability in their core business strategy enabling them to rethink their business models, identify opportunities for long term growth and innovate in ways like never. In our view, sustainability is becoming key for economic success and superior shareholder returns. To achieve our objectives, we use a “sustainability at 360 ” approach that enables us to proactively identify companies that are at the forefront of adopting sustainability in the core of their business strategy and are likely to be long-term winners. ESG considerations are instrumental generate performance and reduce risk. Finally, via active ownership through engagement and proxy voting we contribute improving the long-term sustainability of the businesses we invest in.

 

Our over 23 years of experience in ESG investments is materialized in our framework. Simultaneous consideration of financial robustness and corporate responsibility underpins the best-in-class approach of sustainable strategies managed by the Quest Equities investment team. Financially robust companies that benefit from the drive to a more sustainable economy are identified by independently assessing the corporate and financial sustainability of issuers.

 

  • Corporate Responsibility: the level of awareness, willingness and actions taken by the company to make a positive impact on the society, the environment, all its stakeholders including employees and to benefit from the drive to a more sustainable economy

 

  • Financial Sustainability: the ability of the company to generate sustainable profits without taking undue operating and financial risks. Valuation considerations are also included in this assessment. We identify eligible candidates through our proprietary 4P framework: Profitability, Prudence, Price, and Protection.

 

The fund aims to invest in companies that demonstrate leadership both from a Financial and Corporate Sustainability point of view relative to peers. The final portfolio is well diversified across companies, sectors and countries to deliver steady capital growth to investors. We target a better aggregate profile in terms of E, S, and G. As the regulatory requirements evolve, is not yet possible to use the same physical measures for selection and reporting. For the aggregate sustainable behaviour of the portfolio we target a strong reduction in terms of carbon intensity with respect to the reference investment universe and an improved profile in terms of social impact.

 

Process:

The investment universe is composed by the constituents of the MSCI EUROPE index. Our investment process is a three-step process.

 

“4P” and ESG Scoring & Exclusions

Financial assessment (“Financial Robustness”)

We apply a proprietary framework for assessing companies’ financial robustness. This is our framework developed based on our years of experience analysis global companies across markets and sectors and understanding the key drivers of corporate performance and value creation. Our proprietary framework is based on what we call the 4 Ps of “quality”: Profitability, Prudence, Protection and Price. Attractive companies can hence be described as high and stable return businesses that are resilient to economic cycles and attractively priced.

 

ESG assessment (“Corporate Responsibility”)

Our ESG analysis focuses on four aspects: Products, Reputation, Operations and Governance. This framework provides us with a strong basis for gaining further insight in corporate responsibility, avoiding green washing, and integrating relevant data sources as they become available to the marketplace.

 

  • Products: Impact of products and services on society and the environment, which entails a focus on clean technologies and the exclusion of activities such as controversialweapons, armament, fossil fuels, nuclear energy, tobacco, gambling, pornography or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Exclusions apply to companies with at least 5% turnover in controversial activities. This threshold is reduced to 0% for companies involved in controversial weapons such as anti-personnel landmines, cluster ammunition, chemical, nuclear, and biological weapons.

 

  • Reputation: Reputation is assessed based on Company’s commitment to and demonstrated action in following UN Global Compact Principles. ESG-related controversies, such as incidents involving employees, major environmental pollution or damage, supply chain issues and product scandals are evaluated.

 

  • Operations: Impact of company operations on the Environment, Labour and Society. Environmental and social practices, which cover issues such as carbon footprint, energy efficiency, water management, labour and supply chain management are considered. For instance, companies with exposure to tar sands / fracking, coal extraction, oil production and power generation are analysed for their carbon footprint relative to peers and excluded from the portfolio if deemed to be excessive.

 

  • Governance: Corporate governance, including issues such as business ethics, audit and accounting practices, board independence, minority shareholders rights and executive remuneration. In order to classify companies in terms of their ESG profile we rely on our ESG scoring model developed over more than 20 years of experience and commitment to ESG quantitative research. The scoring model cast companies in four classes defined by one, two, tree, or four stars. One star being the worst, four stars the best ESG profile. In doing this we aggregate, by normalizing, and regularizing the information we gather from several external research providers. This allow us to maximize the coverage and reduce the biases we could inherit by using a unique research provider. Companies playing a verifiable role in sustainable developments may be promoted by one star if they are not exposed to severe risks. Typical areas that may upgrade a score are alternative energies, energy efficiency, environment green buildings, sustainable impact or sustainable water. Our best-in-class sustainable strategies requires stocks with three stars or more for a company to be investable.

 

Step 3 is portfolio construction.

 

Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:

Pictet Asset Management has a dedicated ESG Team which leads and co-ordinates implementation of our responsible investment policy, including ESG integration in investment processes, ownership practices, risk management and reporting tools. The ESG Team reports directly to Sébastien Eisinger, Managing Partner Pictet Group, Co-CEO Pictet Asset Management and Head of Investments.

 

Key responsibilities include:

Investments

  • Selection and due-diligence of external data providers in collaboration with investment teams and other B/Ls
  • Development of proprietary assessment methodologies (eg sector-specific “E&S Deep Dives”, sovereign issuers)
  • Integration of relevant ESG datasets in IT systems and definition of quality checks
  • Training and awareness raising of investment teams

Active Ownership

  • Definition of engagement strategy and proxy voting policy
  • Co-ordinate targeted engagements and participation in collaborative initiatives
  • Consensus building between investment teams on specific resolutions

Pictet Asset Management has been a signatory of the UNPRI since 2007. In addition, Pictet Asset Management actively participates in several investor initiatives aimed at sharing best practices between asset managers and owners and encouraging corporate disclosure on ESG issues. We are notably involved in the IIGCC (Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change), SSF (Swiss Sustainable Finance) and similar organisation in the UK, Germany and Spain.

 

Pictet Group and / or Pictet Asset Management supports and actively participates in international and national initiatives, organisations and partnerships including the below (which indicates Pictet’s involvement, year joined and key areas of focus) :

  • FNG, SpainSIF: Member (2006) - Transparency on ESG
  • UNPRI: Signatory (2007) - Transparency on ESG
  • Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS): Member, Research Partnership: Megatrends Research (2007) - Interdisciplinary academic disciplines
  • CDP: Member (2007) - Carbon
  • Swiss Climate Foundation: Corporate sponsor (2008) - Climate
  • Sustainable Finance Geneva (SFG): Institutional Partner (Pictet Group), President Strategy and Surveillance Committee (2008) - Promotion of sustainable finance
  • EFAMA (European Fund and Asset Management Association): Member of the Stewardship Market Integrity & ESG Investment Standing Committee (2010) - Fund and Asset Management
  • Climate Bond Initiative: Member of the Standards Board (2013) - Climate
  • IIGCC (Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change): Member of the Adaptation & Resilience Working Group (2013) - Climate
  • FTSE Environmental Markets: Member of the Advisory Committee (2013) - Environment
  • Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF): Founding member (2014) - Promotion of the integration of sustainability in the financial industry
  • JP Stewardship Code: Signatory (2014) - Stewardship standards
  • Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC): Research Partnership: Planetary Boundaries Framework (from 2014-ongoing), Mistra Biodiversity Finance programme (from 2022) (2014) - Core focus is to advance research in the frontier of biosphere-based sustainability science, applying a social ecological approach and resilience thinking
  • Investment Association: Member of the Sustainability and Responsible Investment Committee (2018) - Stewardship and Corporate governance
  • Climate Action 100+: Collaborative Engagement (2018) - Climate
  • Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI): Signatory (Pictet Group) (2018) - Delivery of nutritious, affordable foods.
  • Empower: Partnership (2019) - Youth at Risk
  • UNEP Finance Initiative: Signatory (Pictet Group) (2019) - Environment
  • Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD): Signatory (2020) - Consistent climate-related financial risk disclosures
  • FAIRR: Member (2021) - Animal agriculture
  • ICGN (International Corporate Governance Network): Member (2021) - Governance
  • Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI): Signatory (Pictet Group) (2021) - Climate
  • Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative: Signatory (Pictet Group) (2021) - Climate
  • ESG Data Convergence Project: Steering Committee member (Pictet Group) (2021) - ESG metrics
  • UN Principles on Responsible Banking: Signatory (Pictet Group) (2021) - Sustainable/responsible banking
  • UK Stewardship Code 2020: Signatory (2022) - Stewardship standards
  • Institute of International Finance (IIF): Research Partnership: Bonds that build back better (2022) - Green, transition, social, sustainability & sustainability-linked bonds
  • Responsible Investing Association (RIA): Member (2022) - Canada's industry association for responsible investment
  • Ceres Valuing Water Finance Initiative: Signatory (Pictet Group) (2022) - Water
  • Finance for Biodiversity Foundation: Member (Pictet Group); participants in the Impact Assessment and Engagement Working Groups. (2022) - Biodiversity
  • Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD): Member of TNFD Forum (Pictet Group) (2022) - Risk management and disclosure framework on nature-related issues
  • UN Global Compact: Signatory (Pictet Group) (2022) - Global sustainability principles

Source: Pictet Asset Management, [April 2023]

 

Other industry associations:

  • Asset Management Association Switzerland (AMAS): Member (Pictet Group), Member of the Distribution, Taxes Specialist Committees (1993) - Swiss Asset Management industry development
  • German Investment Funds Association (BVI): Member (2004) - German Asset Management industry development
  • International Capital Markets Association (ICMA): Member (xx) Securities market

 

Furthermore, Pictet, together with Swiss Sustainable Finance, was leading an initiative to put pressure on index providers to remove controversial weapon manufacturers from mainstream indices. The initiative, launched in August 2018, secured the backing of 174 signatories controlling over USD 9.7 trillion and including international asset owners and managers (as of January 2020). This initiative has now been closed due to inclusion of controversial weapons exposure disclosures in draft RTS and EU Benchmarking regulation.

 

SDR Labelling: Not eligible to use label

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

Pictet Quest Europe Sustainable Equities Fund

Sustainable Style Not eligible to use label SICAV/Offshore Europe Equity 30/03/2012 May 2023

Objectives

To increase the value of your investment. By investing in robust, sustainable companies we seek to generate market returns with fewer risks

 

Fund Size: £1350.00m

(as at: 31/07/2024)

Total Screened Themed SRI Assets: £49415.00m

(as at: 31/07/2024)

Total Responsible Ownership Assets: £174795.00m

(as at: 31/07/2024)

Total Assets Under Management: £224615.00m

(as at: 31/07/2024)

ISIN: LU0144509550, LU2190601570

Contact Us: lrichards@pictet.com

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Overview

Awaiting update from manager (August 2024)

 

Pictet - Quest Europe Sustainable Equities invests in companies focussed on delivering long term shareholder returns through positive economic, social and environmental impact. We view sustainability as an underlying driver for innovation and profitable growth as well as key to managing unforeseen risks.

Primary fund last amended: May 2023

Information received directly from Fund Manager

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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 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.

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/

Environmental - General
Limits exposure to carbon intensive industries

Funds that limit or 'reduce' their exposure to carbon intensive industries (ie sectors which are major contributors to climate change. Funds vary - some funds may be 'underweight' in this area which means they may have some investment in highly carbon intensive areas. Funds of this kind may choose companies they consider to be 'best in sector' and encourage ever higher standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further details.

Environmental damage and pollution policy

Funds that have written policies explaining the approach they take when companies damage the environment or are significant polluters. Funds of this kind may work with companies to encourage higher standards, or exclude companies - sometimes dependent on the situation. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Favours cleaner, greener companies

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.

Nature & Biodiversity
Genetic engineering exclusion

Fund avoids assets / companies directly involved in genetic engineering

Climate Change & Energy
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.

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

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

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.

Social / Employment
Social policy

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.

Labour standards policy

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

Favours companies with strong social policies

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.

Health & wellbeing policies or theme

Find funds with policies or themes that set out their approach to health and wellbeing issues. Funds of this kind typically aim to invest in companies with high standards - or encourage high standards. Themed funds are likely to have more of an emphasis on this area. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Ethical policies

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.

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

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.

Alcohol production excluded

Find funds that avoid investment in companies involved in the production of alcohol. Strategies vary; some funds allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund literature for further information.

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.

Pornography avoidance policy

Find funds that avoid companies that derive significant income from pornography and related areas. Strategies vary. See fund details for further information.

Human Rights
Human rights policy

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.

Child labour exclusion

Find funds that have policies in place to ensure they do not invest in companies that employ children.

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 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
Employ external (fund) oversight or advisory committee

Find funds that have an external committee that helps steer or advise fund managers on SRI policy or strategy related issues. These people may be paid for their time but are not employees of the fund manager.

External (fund) committee has veto powers

Find funds that employ an external committee (i.e. not company employees) that has power to veto (i.e. overrule) fund managers stock selection decisions. (This would typically mean the committee can tell the manager of this particular fund not to buy / sell a specific investment when they consider it appropriate to do so.)

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.

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 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)

Invest in supranationals

International entities or bodies with agreed remits that are broadly similar to those that may otherwise be undertaken by individual governments eg the UN

Targeted Positive Investments
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.

EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy holdings >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 over 25% of fund 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')

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.

Measures positive impacts

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.

Invests in sustainability / ESG disruptors

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
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.

Negative selection bias

Find funds where their main 'ethical approach' is to avoid companies by using negative screening criteria. Read fund literature for further information.

Combines norms based exclusions with other SRI criteria

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.

Combines ESG strategy with other SRI criteria

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.

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.

Norms focus

Find funds that use internationally agreed standards, conventions and 'norms' to help direct where the fund can and cannot invest (e.g. the UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Development Goals). Read fund literature for further information.

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).

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)

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

Labels & Accreditations
SFDR Article 8 fund / product (EU)

Finds funds classified under Article 8 of the EU’s SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Requirements). Article 8 of the SFDR is a set of requirements that apply to financial products that 'promote' environmental or social characteristics with high governance also. These rules do not currently apply to UK funds so many managers may leave this field blank.

Fund Management Company Information

About The Business
Boutique / specialist fund management company

Find fund management companies that are smaller or specialise in particular areas - notably, ideally ESG related. Strategies vary.

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.

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.

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.

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 structured intermediary training on sustainable investment

Fund management entity offers unstructured intermediary training on sustainable investment (ie for financial advisers and wealth managers)

Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory

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

Fund EcoMarket partner

Find fund management companies that have partnered with Fund EcoMarket - meaning that they are helping to improve access to information on sustainable and responsible investment by paying an annual fee to us which enables us to publish information for free. Partner funds are listed ahead of other funds and have their logos displayed.

UN Principles of Responsible Banking framework signatory-co wide

This asset manager has signed up to the UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) program which aims to encourage more responsible banking practices – focused on environmental and social issues.

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

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
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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 offsetting - offset carbon as part of our net zero plan (AFM company wide)

This asset management company plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions with the help of a scheme that will lock away an amount of carbon that is equivalent to the company’s own emissions – so that the end result is ‘net zero’. 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'.

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

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

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.

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:

It is our belief that there is no disconnect between long term profitable growth and sustainability. More and more companies are incorporating sustainability in their core business strategy enabling them to rethink their business models, identify opportunities for long term growth and innovate in ways like never. In our view, sustainability is becoming key for economic success and superior shareholder returns. To achieve our objectives, we use a “sustainability at 360 ” approach that enables us to proactively identify companies that are at the forefront of adopting sustainability in the core of their business strategy and are likely to be long-term winners. ESG considerations are instrumental generate performance and reduce risk. Finally, via active ownership through engagement and proxy voting we contribute improving the long-term sustainability of the businesses we invest in.

 

Our over 23 years of experience in ESG investments is materialized in our framework. Simultaneous consideration of financial robustness and corporate responsibility underpins the best-in-class approach of sustainable strategies managed by the Quest Equities investment team. Financially robust companies that benefit from the drive to a more sustainable economy are identified by independently assessing the corporate and financial sustainability of issuers.

 

  • Corporate Responsibility: the level of awareness, willingness and actions taken by the company to make a positive impact on the society, the environment, all its stakeholders including employees and to benefit from the drive to a more sustainable economy

 

  • Financial Sustainability: the ability of the company to generate sustainable profits without taking undue operating and financial risks. Valuation considerations are also included in this assessment. We identify eligible candidates through our proprietary 4P framework: Profitability, Prudence, Price, and Protection.

 

The fund aims to invest in companies that demonstrate leadership both from a Financial and Corporate Sustainability point of view relative to peers. The final portfolio is well diversified across companies, sectors and countries to deliver steady capital growth to investors. We target a better aggregate profile in terms of E, S, and G. As the regulatory requirements evolve, is not yet possible to use the same physical measures for selection and reporting. For the aggregate sustainable behaviour of the portfolio we target a strong reduction in terms of carbon intensity with respect to the reference investment universe and an improved profile in terms of social impact.

 

Process:

The investment universe is composed by the constituents of the MSCI EUROPE index. Our investment process is a three-step process.

 

“4P” and ESG Scoring & Exclusions

Financial assessment (“Financial Robustness”)

We apply a proprietary framework for assessing companies’ financial robustness. This is our framework developed based on our years of experience analysis global companies across markets and sectors and understanding the key drivers of corporate performance and value creation. Our proprietary framework is based on what we call the 4 Ps of “quality”: Profitability, Prudence, Protection and Price. Attractive companies can hence be described as high and stable return businesses that are resilient to economic cycles and attractively priced.

 

ESG assessment (“Corporate Responsibility”)

Our ESG analysis focuses on four aspects: Products, Reputation, Operations and Governance. This framework provides us with a strong basis for gaining further insight in corporate responsibility, avoiding green washing, and integrating relevant data sources as they become available to the marketplace.

 

  • Products: Impact of products and services on society and the environment, which entails a focus on clean technologies and the exclusion of activities such as controversialweapons, armament, fossil fuels, nuclear energy, tobacco, gambling, pornography or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Exclusions apply to companies with at least 5% turnover in controversial activities. This threshold is reduced to 0% for companies involved in controversial weapons such as anti-personnel landmines, cluster ammunition, chemical, nuclear, and biological weapons.

 

  • Reputation: Reputation is assessed based on Company’s commitment to and demonstrated action in following UN Global Compact Principles. ESG-related controversies, such as incidents involving employees, major environmental pollution or damage, supply chain issues and product scandals are evaluated.

 

  • Operations: Impact of company operations on the Environment, Labour and Society. Environmental and social practices, which cover issues such as carbon footprint, energy efficiency, water management, labour and supply chain management are considered. For instance, companies with exposure to tar sands / fracking, coal extraction, oil production and power generation are analysed for their carbon footprint relative to peers and excluded from the portfolio if deemed to be excessive.

 

  • Governance: Corporate governance, including issues such as business ethics, audit and accounting practices, board independence, minority shareholders rights and executive remuneration. In order to classify companies in terms of their ESG profile we rely on our ESG scoring model developed over more than 20 years of experience and commitment to ESG quantitative research. The scoring model cast companies in four classes defined by one, two, tree, or four stars. One star being the worst, four stars the best ESG profile. In doing this we aggregate, by normalizing, and regularizing the information we gather from several external research providers. This allow us to maximize the coverage and reduce the biases we could inherit by using a unique research provider. Companies playing a verifiable role in sustainable developments may be promoted by one star if they are not exposed to severe risks. Typical areas that may upgrade a score are alternative energies, energy efficiency, environment green buildings, sustainable impact or sustainable water. Our best-in-class sustainable strategies requires stocks with three stars or more for a company to be investable.

 

Step 3 is portfolio construction.

 

Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:

Pictet Asset Management has a dedicated ESG Team which leads and co-ordinates implementation of our responsible investment policy, including ESG integration in investment processes, ownership practices, risk management and reporting tools. The ESG Team reports directly to Sébastien Eisinger, Managing Partner Pictet Group, Co-CEO Pictet Asset Management and Head of Investments.

 

Key responsibilities include:

Investments

  • Selection and due-diligence of external data providers in collaboration with investment teams and other B/Ls
  • Development of proprietary assessment methodologies (eg sector-specific “E&S Deep Dives”, sovereign issuers)
  • Integration of relevant ESG datasets in IT systems and definition of quality checks
  • Training and awareness raising of investment teams

Active Ownership

  • Definition of engagement strategy and proxy voting policy
  • Co-ordinate targeted engagements and participation in collaborative initiatives
  • Consensus building between investment teams on specific resolutions

Pictet Asset Management has been a signatory of the UNPRI since 2007. In addition, Pictet Asset Management actively participates in several investor initiatives aimed at sharing best practices between asset managers and owners and encouraging corporate disclosure on ESG issues. We are notably involved in the IIGCC (Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change), SSF (Swiss Sustainable Finance) and similar organisation in the UK, Germany and Spain.

 

Pictet Group and / or Pictet Asset Management supports and actively participates in international and national initiatives, organisations and partnerships including the below (which indicates Pictet’s involvement, year joined and key areas of focus) :

  • FNG, SpainSIF: Member (2006) - Transparency on ESG
  • UNPRI: Signatory (2007) - Transparency on ESG
  • Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS): Member, Research Partnership: Megatrends Research (2007) - Interdisciplinary academic disciplines
  • CDP: Member (2007) - Carbon
  • Swiss Climate Foundation: Corporate sponsor (2008) - Climate
  • Sustainable Finance Geneva (SFG): Institutional Partner (Pictet Group), President Strategy and Surveillance Committee (2008) - Promotion of sustainable finance
  • EFAMA (European Fund and Asset Management Association): Member of the Stewardship Market Integrity & ESG Investment Standing Committee (2010) - Fund and Asset Management
  • Climate Bond Initiative: Member of the Standards Board (2013) - Climate
  • IIGCC (Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change): Member of the Adaptation & Resilience Working Group (2013) - Climate
  • FTSE Environmental Markets: Member of the Advisory Committee (2013) - Environment
  • Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF): Founding member (2014) - Promotion of the integration of sustainability in the financial industry
  • JP Stewardship Code: Signatory (2014) - Stewardship standards
  • Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC): Research Partnership: Planetary Boundaries Framework (from 2014-ongoing), Mistra Biodiversity Finance programme (from 2022) (2014) - Core focus is to advance research in the frontier of biosphere-based sustainability science, applying a social ecological approach and resilience thinking
  • Investment Association: Member of the Sustainability and Responsible Investment Committee (2018) - Stewardship and Corporate governance
  • Climate Action 100+: Collaborative Engagement (2018) - Climate
  • Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI): Signatory (Pictet Group) (2018) - Delivery of nutritious, affordable foods.
  • Empower: Partnership (2019) - Youth at Risk
  • UNEP Finance Initiative: Signatory (Pictet Group) (2019) - Environment
  • Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD): Signatory (2020) - Consistent climate-related financial risk disclosures
  • FAIRR: Member (2021) - Animal agriculture
  • ICGN (International Corporate Governance Network): Member (2021) - Governance
  • Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI): Signatory (Pictet Group) (2021) - Climate
  • Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative: Signatory (Pictet Group) (2021) - Climate
  • ESG Data Convergence Project: Steering Committee member (Pictet Group) (2021) - ESG metrics
  • UN Principles on Responsible Banking: Signatory (Pictet Group) (2021) - Sustainable/responsible banking
  • UK Stewardship Code 2020: Signatory (2022) - Stewardship standards
  • Institute of International Finance (IIF): Research Partnership: Bonds that build back better (2022) - Green, transition, social, sustainability & sustainability-linked bonds
  • Responsible Investing Association (RIA): Member (2022) - Canada's industry association for responsible investment
  • Ceres Valuing Water Finance Initiative: Signatory (Pictet Group) (2022) - Water
  • Finance for Biodiversity Foundation: Member (Pictet Group); participants in the Impact Assessment and Engagement Working Groups. (2022) - Biodiversity
  • Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD): Member of TNFD Forum (Pictet Group) (2022) - Risk management and disclosure framework on nature-related issues
  • UN Global Compact: Signatory (Pictet Group) (2022) - Global sustainability principles

Source: Pictet Asset Management, [April 2023]

 

Other industry associations:

  • Asset Management Association Switzerland (AMAS): Member (Pictet Group), Member of the Distribution, Taxes Specialist Committees (1993) - Swiss Asset Management industry development
  • German Investment Funds Association (BVI): Member (2004) - German Asset Management industry development
  • International Capital Markets Association (ICMA): Member (xx) Securities market

 

Furthermore, Pictet, together with Swiss Sustainable Finance, was leading an initiative to put pressure on index providers to remove controversial weapon manufacturers from mainstream indices. The initiative, launched in August 2018, secured the backing of 174 signatories controlling over USD 9.7 trillion and including international asset owners and managers (as of January 2020). This initiative has now been closed due to inclusion of controversial weapons exposure disclosures in draft RTS and EU Benchmarking regulation.

 

SDR Labelling: Not eligible to use label