Holistic Approach to Sustainable Investing

Combating Climate Change, Ending Human Trafficking, and Capitalizing Underserved/Underrepresented Groups

We all agree on the mission—invest the assets held in trust for retirement wisely and prudently, while maximizing the positive impact on climate change, human rights and providing capital to empower those challenged by a lack of economic access.

But how is this accomplished? It is going to take more than just an investment here and a letter campaign there. It will have to transcend any one strategy in favor of a multi-strategy, comprehensive design for success. It will require the expertise and support of more than just one person, investment analyst or manager to accomplish. How then do we proceed?

We are all aware of the absolute urgency of climate change and how combatting it is deeply important not only to the preservation of creation but also to our very survival. Not only do we put money into green strategies, like green bonds, but also into companies with high carbon footprints that have strategies to move toward more sustainable business models. Some of those investments appear in our Global Sustainability Index Fund (GSIF) option for those investing in retirement.

We are all aware of the absolute urgency of climate change and how combatting it is deeply important not only to the preservation of creation but also to our very survival.

The Global Sustainability Index Fund is a mutual fund centered on companies with the best records of moving toward sustainability as measured by several criteria. We need not only pure green options but also transitional ones to bring about the rapid change needed.

Beyond the issue of climate (but in no way separate) is human rights, and there is perhaps no more pressing concern than human trafficking, indentured servitude, and outright slavery. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), through its members including the Pension Boards-UCC and United Church Funds, have pressed several strategies for addressing this moral and personal tragedy. Currently, almost 25 million people are trapped in conditions of forced labor that generate $150 billion in profits for others. ICCR identified eight companies and asked them to look at the human rights and trafficking risks in their operations and supply chains. Four shareholder resolutions generated out of that request were passed by shareholders, emphasizing due diligence processes for identifying human rights violations.

Finally, through investments in private equity companies, the Pension Boards is capitalizing health care access for women and children in Africa, Palestinian owned businesses on the West Bank, and global human capital development through educational technology, and knowledge services and training. These investments are meant to give access to educational and entrepreneurial opportunities for underserved persons.

These are but a few of the issues we are addressing, and the groups positively impacted by a range of sustainable strategies held together by a thoughtful and smart plan to bring about the best possible outcomes. We are dedicated to this approach and will continue to grow and develop it while investing on behalf of our members.