Responsible investment continues to form an important part of our long-term investment strategy.
We believe that by integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into how we manage our investment portfolios, and applying responsible investment practices, we can enhance risk-adjusted returns for our members over the long term.
So what exactly is ESG?
Many of us tend to associate ESG with environmental issues like climate change, renewable energy, electric vehicles and sustainable farming practices. Those are certainly important aspects of ESG, but it’s much broader than that. From a social perspective this includes, for example, issues such as a company’s labour practices, product safety and data security. While governance issues also include board diversity, executive pay and business ethics.
All of these factors can impact our core objective as a fund, which is to maximise returns and provide our members with a better retirement. That’s why we integrate ESG issues and responsible investment practices into the management of our investment portfolios. It’s fundamental to our fiduciary responsibility as a super fund, and to our commitment to delivering the best financial outcomes possible for our members.
Future focus
Looking for an investment option designed to have higher exposure (compared to the default MySuper option) to investments that have been selected based on their alignment to certain environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria?
Learn more about our responsible investment activities
Company engagement
We’re working with partners locally and internationally to encourage and support change in the companies we invest in.
Proxy voting
As shareholders, we exercise our vote on resolutions at annual general meetings and other forums. Find out more about how we approach proxy voting.
Organisations we partner with
Responsible investment takes a collective effort to bring about positive change. We work with several organisations to promote ESG best practices:
We’re a full member and we sit on the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors' (ACSI) member council.
We engage with companies to positively influence their ESG performance and also engage with government, regulators and policy makers to better align financial markets with the interests of long-term investors.
We’re also a signatory to the Australian Asset Owner Stewardship Code, which was developed by ACSI to promote good stewardship practices and to increase the transparency and accountability of stewardship activities.
We’re a member of the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC). The IGCC aims to encourage government policies and investment practices that address the risks and opportunities of climate change.
We’re a member of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), which champions responsible investing and a sustainable financial system in Australia and New Zealand.
Collaborative engagement
We also participate in collaborative engagement initiatives, alongside other investors, that aim to encourage change in critical areas.
- Climate Action 100+ is a collaborative initiative that aims to encourage greater action and transparency amongst the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters.
- Investors Against Slavery and (human) Trafficking Asia-Pacific is an investor-led, multi-stakeholder project engaging with companies in the Asia-Pacific region to promote effective action in finding, fixing and preventing modern slavery in operations and supply chains.
Responsible investment policy
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Future Focus fact sheet
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Modern slavery statement
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Your questions answered
If you’ve got any questions about your Equip Super investment options and how we manage your money, our team is ready to help.
We acknowledge all First Peoples of the beautiful lands on which we live and work, and their enduring knowledge and connections to Country. We honour the wisdom of and pay respect to Elders past and present.