Socially Responsible Investment
Want to make a difference to the world? Not sure how? Use your super
Climate change, uranium mining, gambling, child labour, human rights, and corporate corruption are all contentious issues, but what can you do about them? How can you support a cleaner future through renewable or cleaner energies?
Like to be part of the solution, but not sure where to begin?
Superannuation is often ignored, but it is in fact a powerful tool to influence a range of environmental, social and corporate issues.
Sustainable Responsible Investment products (SRI - sometimes called ethical investments) take into account environmental, social and corporate governance issues, when investing in the market. This can be done by a combination of:
- investing in companies that are leaders on social or environmental considerations within their industry,
- favouring industries which offer more sustainable outcomes (eg. healthcare and renewable energy),
- avoiding sectors with high negative social costs (eg. armaments, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, uranium or pornography), and
- engaging with companies to improve corporate practice.
Funds seek to achieve these aims while also seeking to maximise investment performance. You should obtain advice to ensure you invest in a fund that is suitable for you.
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Sunsuper cares too
Recently, Sunsuper became one of only five super funds to have their SRI investment option certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA)
To achieve this certification, Sunsuper had to select a certified fund manager to manage the option and commit to providing information to members about the option. Sunsuper selected the multi-manager fund - AMP Capital Responsible Investment Leaders Balanced Fund which has been certified by the RIAA according to the strict disclosure requirements of the Certification Program. For more information about this option and its underlying managers, click here.
Check out further research on Sustainable Responsible Investment.
So, if you want to help the environment and society in general, make an impact by making your super fund work for you. Call 13 11 84 to speak to our Member Advice Specialists to see how you can invest your super to make a difference!
The Certification Symbol signifies that a product or service offers an investment style that takes into account environmental, social, ethical or labour standard considerations. The Symbol also signifies that Sunsuper has adopted strict disclosure 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 Sunsuper's methodology and performance can be found at www.responsibleinvestment.org, together with details about other responsible investment products certified by RIAA¹.
1 The Responsible Investment Certification Program does not constitute financial product advice. Neither the Certification Symbol nor RIAA recommends to any person that this financial product is a suitable investment or that returns are guaranteed. RIAA is not a financial services business and does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
