Responsible investing is a way of integrating Environmental, Social and Governance factors when constructing portfolios.
This involves both considering ESG issues prior to making an investment decision, as well as encouraging third party managers to improve their ESG credentials. Effective stewardship and engagement ensures Saltus Asset Management use their influence as a positive force.
Responsible investing for Saltus means contributing to clients’ peace of mind, as their portfolios are managed not only to maximise risk adjusted returns, but to do so in a manner which contributes to sustainable benefits for the economy, the environment and society.
All Saltus active portfolios are managed in accordance with the UN Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and they have committed to being a carbon neutral business by 2025. Saltus report as part of the quarterly valuation on their engagement with managers. Should the ESG score not pass their threshold, they will not proceed with the proposed investment.
Saltus assesses and ranks the following factors in an investment research note to determine an ESG score for each investment:
- Beliefs – what does the manager personally believe, and how do they see their role within this context?
- Process – is there a process which takes ESG into consideration? Is it firm wide, or specific to the fund manager? Is it explicit?
- Risk – what benefits/limitations does the asset class provide with regards to sustainable investing?
- Evidence/Statistics – is there any evidence that the manager’s ESG objectives are bringing about change?