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Responsible Investing

We actively invest for the long-term prosperity of our clients and to secure a sustainable future for the planet.

Overview

Within AXA IM, our ambition is to be the world's leading responsible investor. We expect the global economy will move to a more sustainable model over the coming years, and we want to be an active partner for clients as that transition takes place.

20+ years experience

We have built a powerful responsible investing (RI) capability over more than two decades. Today, dedicated specialists in our investment platforms influence how we invest across all asset classes.

At the heart of the business

Our active ownership specialists lead our stewardship and research functions, while other RI experts work directly with portfolio managers to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into strategies.

Responsible investing at a glance1

7     A+ ratings

With the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) programme.

30   + specialists

Putting responsible investing to work in our strategies.

87%

of AUM** classified as Articles 8 & 9 under SFDR2.

20   + years

Our first RI mandate was awarded in 1998 and helped to create sustainable jobs.

9   impact strategies

Our dedicated Impact range grows every year, delivering verifiable positive effects alongside financial returns.

Transition   bonds

We have led industry development of this new asset class which seeks to drive change in carbon-intensive businesses.

Our Approach

The vast majority of our assets under management integrate our ESG analysis and quantitative scores into the investment process, while applying our core exclusions policy. We believe this can deliver value for clients by identifying risks and opportunities linked to key sustainability trends in the global economy.

Avoid

We exclude assets that fail to meet our baseline criteria for responsible investing.

Identify

We uncover risks and opportunities linked to ESG factors.

Invest

We use ESG analysis and scoring to shape and enhance our investment processes.

Impact

In select strategies, we seek to deliver direct, measurable and positive effects on society and/or the environment.

Influence

We engage with companies and sovereigns to promote sustainable decision making.

How to invest sustainably

Investing in companies and projects that are leading the way to a more sustainable world not only helps us reach a net-zero economy by 2050 but can deliver more sustainable returns in the future. The vast majority of our assets under management integrate our ESG analysis and quantitative scores into the investment process, while applying our core exclusions policy. We believe this can deliver value for clients by identifying risks and opportunities linked to key sustainability trends in the global economy.  

Sustainable Investing

How to invest for the people and planet

Our sustainable investing strategies are at the forefront of responsible investing at AXA IM Core. The strategies here are designed to help clients target specific sustainability goals around issues such as climate change and inequality while continuing to adopt the reinforced approach to sustainability risks and good governance practices.

Learn More

ESG Integrated

These strategies use data and research, exclusions and proactive stewardship to help build ESG into the investment process, and promote environmental and social characteristics in our approach.

As part of this we may exclude issuers with the lowest ESG scores as well as those which do not follow what we consider good governance practices. We believe that this level of ESG integration can potentially reduce risk to help us achieve better risk-adjusted returns. We consider strategies classed as ESG Integrated to meet the requirements of Article 8 of the SFDR regulation. Within this group, strategies in the ESG Integrated+ category go a step further by targeting an ESG score higher than that of the benchmark or universe.

ACT range

The ACT range is our most focused ESG offering. Strategies in this category are designed to help clients target specific sustainability goals around issues such as climate change and inequality while continuing to adopt the reinforced approach to sustainability risks and good governance practices as described above.

Alongside financial returns, these strategies target positive outcomes related to ESG criteria and/or to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Investment decisions are guided by both the financial and impact goals.

We consider strategies in the ACT range to meet the requirements of Article 9 of the SFDR regulation. Within this range are two categories:

  • Sustainable strategies aim to embed ESG into the portfolio construction process, in an even more material and intentional manner. Every strategy in this group targets one or more specific sustainable objectives related to the ESG pillars (for example, carbon footprint) to further refine the investment universe.
  • Listed Impact strategies incorporate the demands of the Sustainable category but will seek out businesses and projects that can potentially have an intentional, positive, measurable and sustainable impact on society and/or the environment. These strategies will also report against impact criteria aligned to specific UN SDGs.

This product categorisation framework applies to open funds in liquid asset classes. Specific approaches may apply for segregated accounts or Alternative strategies.

The reference to SFDR product categories is provided based on the basis of the European Directive (EU) 2019/2088 on the sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector (“SFDR Regulation”) and state of knowledge as of 10 March 2021. As of today the SFDR-related regulatory technical standards are not yet finalised and enforced. The product categorisation shall be re-assessed once such regulatory technical standards are completed and may evolve.

ESG Analysis & Reports

Our active ownership specialists conduct regular detailed research into a broad sweep of ESG themes and sustainability trends to better understand how markets are evolving and how economies will adapt to changing conditions.

Responsible Investing policy

Our Responsible Investment policy describing our vision and our capabilities towards responsible investment and how we integrate ESG factors into our investment platforms.

SFDR - Sustainable finance

It introduces new rules on disclosures related to sustainable investments and sustainability risks, which are applicable from March 10, 2021.

Stewardship

We believe that a proper consideration of relevant ESG criteria is needed to assess the long-term sustainability of company performance. We take action through corporate engagement and voting that is designed to achieve positive risk-adjusted returns for our clients and support a sustainable future economy.
We believe that a proper consideration of relevant ESG criteria is needed to assess the long-term sustainability of company performance. We take action through corporate engagement and voting that is designed to achieve positive risk-adjusted returns for our clients and support a sustainable future economy.

Our transparent, active ownership approach aims to benefit our clients both in the form of risk-adjusted returns in the medium-term, and by building a sustainable and prosperous economy over the long term.

Related Articles

Sustainability

Sustainability in 2024: From net zero to a more holistic approach

  • by Virginie Derue
  • 05 February 2024 (10 min read)
Sustainability

COP28: What can investors reasonably expect?

  • by Virginie Derue
  • 19 October 2023 (7 min read)
Sustainability

Biofuels and the energy transition: Green sprouts or biowashing?

  • by Olivier Eugène
  • 21 September 2023 (10 min read)

Disclaimer

The classification of the [Fund] under SFDR may be subject to adjustments and amendments, since SFDR has come into force recently only and certain aspects of SFDR may be subject to new and/or different interpretations than those existing at the date of this [Prospectus/PPM]. As part of the ongoing assessment and current process of classifying its financial products under SFDR, [the Manager] reserves the right, in accordance with and within the limits of applicable regulations and of the [Fund]’s [legal documentation], to amend the classification of the Fund from time to time to reflect changes in market practice, its own interpretations, SFDR-related laws or regulations or currently-applicable delegated regulations, communications from national or European authorities or court decisions clarifying SFDR interpretations. Investors are reminded that they should not base their investment decisions on the information presented under SFDR only.

The ESG data used in the investment process are based on ESG methodologies which rely in part on third party data, and in some cases are internally developed. They are subjective and may change over time. Despite several initiatives, the lack of harmonized definitions can make ESG criteria heterogeneous. As such, the different investment strategies that use ESG criteria and ESG reporting are difficult to compare with each other. Strategies that incorporate ESG criteria and those that incorporate sustainable development criteria may use ESG data that appear similar, but which should be distinguished because their calculation method may be different.

    Disclaimer

    This website is published by AXA Investment Managers Asia Limited (“AXA IM HK”), an entity licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (“SFC”), for general circulation and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment research or financial analysis relating to transactions in financial instruments, nor does it constitute on the part of AXA Investment Managers or its affiliated companies an offer to buy, sell or enter into any transactions in respect of any investments, products or services, and should not be considered as solicitation or investment, legal, tax or any other advice, a recommendation for an investment strategy or a personalised recommendation to buy or sell securities under any applicable law or regulation. It has been prepared without taking into account the specific personal circumstances, investment objectives, financial situation, investment knowledge or particular needs of any particular person and may be subject to change at any time without notice. Offering may be made only on the basis of the information disclosed in the relevant offering documents. Please consult independent financial or other professional advisers if you are unsure about any information contained herein.

    Due to its simplification, this publication is partial and opinions, estimates and forecasts herein are subjective and subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee such opinions, estimates and forecasts made will come to pass. Actual results of operations and achievements may differ materially. Data, figures, declarations, analysis, predictions and other information in this publication is provided based on our state of knowledge at the time of creation of this publication. Information herein may be obtained from sources believed to be reliable. AXA IM HK has reasonable belief that such information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AXA IM HK, its affiliates, directors, officers or employees take no responsibility for the data provided by third party, including the accuracy of such data. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision. References to companies (if any) are for illustrative purposes only and should not be viewed as investment recommendations or solicitations.

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