Our Sustainable Balanced option

Overseas and Australian shares

We do not invest in companies that harm people:

• Tobacco manufacturers
• Firearms or arms ammunition manufacturers
• Manufacturers that generate more than 5% from the production of conventional weapons and weapons systems
• Controversial weapons (sales and production)
• Child labour

We do not invest in companies that generate more than 10% of their revenue from: 

• Fossil fuels production 
• Fossil fuels for power production 

We do not invest in:

• Power producers that generate more than 30% of their revenue from nuclear sources  
• Palm oil producing companies that have less than 80% of their land certified by Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

Australian shares

Live animal exports
As active managers, we regularly monitor and review the portfolio to ensure that we are not investing in companies engaged in live animal export.

We do not invest in companies that generate more than 10% of their revenue from:

• Intensive animal farming
• Animal testing (cosmetic and non-cosmetic products)
• Gaming
• Pornography

Overseas and Australian shares

We seek out positive investments that help improve the environment and the quality of our daily life such as:

• Climate change solutions – insulation to improve energy efficiency and development of renewable energy systems
• Pollution reduction – waste disposal and wastewater recycling
• Resource efficiency – efficient lighting, reducing consumption of natural resources, cost-saving solutions to improve water and energy efficiency.
• Healthcare – better access to health care and addressing healthcare issues
• Education – improve access to education and provide training and job opportunities
• Access to safe food and water – sustainable food systems, improved nutrition and improve water equipment and services
• Access to finance – banking services to people and communities who do not have sufficient access to mainstream financial services.

With our ongoing process of researching, analysing and monitoring investments, we ensure high ESG standards are being met. We’re not only assessing outcomes against our own benchmarks – our investment managers also choose investments that align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals in a meaningful way. These goals have a global reach, aiming to combat issues including poverty, inequality and environmental degradation.

Our SBO supports a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Goal 1 – No poverty

Goal 3 – Good health

Goal 4 – Quality education

Goal 6 – Clean water and sanitation

Goal 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Goal 11 – Sustainable cities and communities

Goal 12 – Responsible consumption

Goal 13 – Climate action