John Pearce
UniSuper, the $90 billion superannuation fund for the higher education and research sector, has surpassed $10 billion in funds under management across its three dedicated ESG investment options, solidifying its position as Australia’s largest investor in ESG-themed strategies.
The three ESG-themed strategies have delivered consistent returns and grown increasingly in popularity among UniSuper members over recent years:
- Sustainable High Growth, launched in 2000, has delivered 10.8% in the last year to 31 December and 10.6% p.a over 10 years.
- Sustainable Balanced, launched in 2007, has delivered 8.8% in the last year to 31 December and 9.0% p.a over 10 years.
- Global Environmental Opportunities, launched in 2012, has delivered 49.7% in the last year to 31 December and 17.5% p.a since inception.
UniSuper has a long-held commitment to actively incorporate ESG factors into all investment decisions. The dedicated ESG-themed strategies further expand on this commitment and are designed to avoid companies involved in the production, generation, or transmission of coal, oil or gas.
John Pearce, Chief Investment Officer at UniSuper said: “Surpassing $10 billion FUM across our ESG-themed strategies is a significant milestone. Excellent returns have obviously been a major contributing factor. The growth also reflects just how engaged our member base is, and the importance of ESG considerations in their investment choices.”
“Today, UniSuper is one of Australia’s leading superannuation funds in the space, our history in incorporating ESG factors into all investment decisions and alignment with the Paris Agreement speaks for itself,” Mr Pearce said.
UniSuper has committed to achieving net zero absolute carbon emissions in our investment portfolio by 2050, in alignment with the Paris Agreement.