As long-term investors, we take an active interest in the quality of our investments, and we consider material ESG factors across our major holdings.
How do we engage on ESG issues?
Our latest Responsible investment report details some of the key areas we’ve been focusing on and how we’ve engaged with investee companies. It also gives an overview of how we voted at company meetings.
In the six months to 31 December 2023:
- Our Investments team held 152 engagement meetings with companies where we discussed ESG-related issues.
- Executive remuneration was a contentious topic during the 2023 AGM season. We voted our shares at company meetings and engaged as needed with companies to make our voting decisions.
- ESG considerations formed part of due diligence for our investment in Forico, Tasmania’s largest hardwood plantation estate.
- We assessed multiple green and sustainability related bonds, these included a 15-year sustainability bond issued by Housing Australia in which UniSuper participated. These bonds are used to finance social, energy efficiency and green building projects.
- We released our 6th annual Climate report, detailing how we’re managing climate risks and opportunities in our investments, and we released our 4th annual Modern slavery statement.
We also continued to engage with industry and government across a range of areas, such as the net zero transition, circular economy and affordable housing.
Managing over 70% of our investments in-house means we’re able to engage with the boards and management of our major holdings on what matters to us.
Member choice
In addition to integrating ESG considerations into our investment process which covers all UniSuper investment options, we offer members the choice of three sustainable and environmental branded investment options1. These allow members to limit their exposure to certain industries and/or invest in companies that are addressing global environmental challenges.
We were proud to be named by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) as a Responsible Super Fund Leader in their 2023 Super study.
More information?
Find out more on what responsible investment means to us.
Download our Responsible investment report.
See details of how we exercised our voting rights here.
What ESG means for us
Environment
Climate
Biodiversity
Waste and water management
Circular economy
Social
Modern slavery
Human rights
Occupational health and safety
Diversity and inclusion
Governance
Business culture, ethics and conduct
Executive remuneration
Transparent reporting
Risk management
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Things you need to know
1Sustainable and environmental investing means different things to different people. Different products have different investment criteria. Read our website and the How we invest your money booklet to find out what sustainable and environmental investing means to us and what our investment options invest in.