Sustainable investments

Find out how we’re working to ensure your investments are sustainable.

Sustainable investments

Sustainable investments are those that consider the impact of environmental, social and governance issues and matters that may have an adverse effect on shareholder value.

We now implement sustainable investing through:

• our adoption of the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment
• our range of socially responsible investment options
• the investments we make
• the investment policies we implement
• encouraging better investment research

Socially responsible investments

Socially responsible investment options help you use your super savings to grow your financial wealth whilst making a difference to society and the environment.

We have two dedicated options: Socially Responsible High Growth option and the Socially Responsible Balanced option. Both of these options have been certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia.

Find out more about our socially responsible investments.

Certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia

The Certification Symbol signifies that a product or service offers an investment style that takes into account environmental, social, governance or ethical considerations. The Symbol also signifies that UniSuper has adopted strict disclosure and education practices required under the Responsible Investment Certification Program for the category of Superannuation Fund. The Certification Symbol is a Registered Trade Mark of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). Detailed information about RIAA, the Symbol and UniSuper’s methodology and performance can be found at www.responsibleinvestment.org, together with details about other responsible investment products certified by RIAA.1

¹The Responsible Investment Certification Program does not constitute financial product advice. Neither the Certification Symbol nor RIAA recommends to any person that any financial product is a suitable investment or that returns are guaranteed. Appropriate professional advice should be sought prior to making an investment decision. RIAA does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.

Our sustainable investments

We also hold individual sustainable investments as part of our broader portfolio. These include sustainable forest plantations and sustainable buildings including:

• Hancock Victoria Plantations (HVP)
• Tiaki Plantation Company
• Taumata Plantations
• ISDT 50 Lonsdale Street Property Trust

Our sustainable investments policies

Sustainable Investment Policy

UniSuper believe that sustainability factors can impact your investment returns. That's why we've developed a Sustainable Investment Policy that outlines our investment philosophy and how we will help protect your retirement savings from risks associated with sustainability. We have adopted the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UN PRI) as the basis for the policy.

Read our Sustainable Investment Policy for more information.

What are the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment?

UniSuper became a signatory to the UN PRI in May 2007.The UN PRI were launched in 2006 as a set of global best practice principles for responsible investment. They were created to help institutional investors integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues into investment decision-making and engagement.

Read the UN PRI progress report to see the progress UniSuper has made in implementing the UN PRI and how this compares to our peers in the Asia-Pacific.

Visit the UNPRI website for more information.

Investment Governance Policy

Investment governance also plays a role in ensuring the sustainability of your investments. Alongside our Sustainable Investment Policy, UniSuper's Investment Governance Policy provides a framework for us to make governance decisions that are in your best interests.

See Investment Governance for more information on how it helps protect your investments.

Encouraging better investment research

Enhanced Analytics Initiative

In September 2006, UniSuper became the first Australian institution to join the Enhanced Analytics Initiative (EAI).

The EAI is designed to encourage better investment research of issues that may impact companies' financial performance or reputation in a material way, yet are generally not part of traditional analysis. This includes future political or regulatory risks and risks associated with the environment.

Through our Associate Membership, UniSuper takes an active interest in the breadth of research that goes in to stock selection as well as buy and sell decisions that are made on members' behalf.

For more information visit the Enhanced Analytics Initiative website.