Responsible Investment
We integrate ESG considerations into investment decisions and undertake stewardship activities to support long-term outcomes.
Funds SA defines responsible investment as a financial outcomes focused approach that complements traditional investment analysis through Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) integration and stewardship.
As part of investment due diligence process, Funds SA explicitly considers ESG issues and opportunities in investment analysis and decision making, through the activities of our external managers and across our total portfolio. Funds SA requires investment managers to provide information on their ESG processes to establish how each investment manager:
- incorporates the assessment of ESG risks into due diligence activities,
- integrates ESG considerations into investment decision making, and
- monitors ESG risks within the portfolio.
Investment Stewardship is the responsible oversight and management of investments. It is an important component of Funds SA’s approach to responsible investment and focuses on Funds SA’s responsibility to take actions that protect and create long-term value for its clients. Funds SA does this through various means including proxy voting, engagements, and class actions.
Our Responsible Investment Policy outlines how our responsible investment program is implemented in line with the objectives of the Superannuation Funds Management Corporation of South Australian Act 1995. Funds SA is also a signatory to the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment.
Funds SA Responsible Investment Policy
Climate Change
Funds SA recognises that climate change presents a systemic risk impacting potential investment returns over the coming decades. In 2021, we published our Climate Change Position Statement that outlines our approach to addressing climate change risks in line with the objectives of the Superannuation Funds Management Corporation of South Australia Act 1995.
Funds SA Climate Change Position Statement
Our approach to climate change risk will evolve as science, policy, and investment markets develop a greater understanding of climate resilient investment portfolios. We have developed a Climate Risk Response Plan, in which we outline the initial actions we will take to meet our goal of managing the long-term financial risks, the opportunities of climate change, and the transition of our portfolio towards Net Zero Emissions by 2050.
To achieve our commitment to Net Zero by 2050, we will take action across our 5-Pillar Climate Risk Response Plan Framework to support a 45% reduction in global emissions by 2030, consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Funds SA Climate Risk Response Plan
The Funds SA Climate Report is an annual report, created in alignment with the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework. The Report presents our progress against the actions outlined within the Climate Risk Response Plan, Phase 1 and highlights the work undertaken in response to climate risk in our investment portfolio.
Following the publication of the Climate Report, we identified an error in the calculation for determining our financed emissions in our listed asset classes. On 6 February 2024, we updated the table on page 21 of the Report linked below to correct this disclosure.
Modern Slavery
Funds SA recognises that modern slavery has severe consequences for victims. It may also impact the value of implicated companies.
While Funds SA is not a reporting entity under the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018, we see it as critical to incorporate modern slavery risk considerations into investment decision making.
Our Modern Slavery Position Statement outlines how we are addressing modern slavery risks in line with the objectives of the Superannuation Funds Management Corporation of South Australia Act 1995.
Funds SA Modern Slavery Position Statement
The reporting process for an incident of human rights issues, including modern slavery case allegations, is detailed in Funds SA’s Complaint Handling Policy.
Socially Responsible Investment Option
The Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) option invests in line with socially responsible investment criteria established by Funds SA, which includes a focus on renewable energy and social infrastructure, restrictions on investments in areas of high negative social impact and a ‘best-in-class’ approach to target the best companies in each economic sector according to external ESG ratings. This document below describes the investment approach for the SRI option managed by Funds SA and sets out the criteria that Funds SA applies when looking at new investments and how investment in certain assets are avoided.