Our approach to sustainable investing is guided by our legal duty to members, our core investment beliefs, and our Sustainable Investment Policy.
We believe integrating ESG factors into our investment processes alongside other traditional financial considerations helps us make better long-term decisions for our members' retirement outcomes. Our Sustainable Investment Policy covers our over-arching principles.
Sustainable Investment Policy
We invest the majority of the Fund's portfolio through external investment managers. Therefore, ESG integration is predominantly executed through the selection, appointment, and monitoring of new and existing managers.
We undertake stewardship activities through engagement and proxy voting. The number of our holdings means we cannot engage all the companies in which we are invested. Where we do engage our investee companies, we use the following methods; directly, collaboratively, or through a service provider.
Where possible, we will endeavour to vote at all company meetings on resolutions for which we are eligible to vote, with some exceptions, detailed in our Sustainable Investment Policy.
View ART’s proxy voting record historyOur Sustainable Investment Report 2023-24 provides further details of our approach and the outcomes and achievements for the financial year ending 30 June 2024.
Sustainable Investment Report 2023-24
We apply screening (exclusions) in limited circumstances.
There are some occasions however, where it may be considered appropriate to exclude certain investments.
Details of the exclusions for applicable investment options including the exceptions to these exclusions are outlined in our Super Savings Investment Guide and QSuper Investment Guide.
Examples of ESG factors that we may consider as part of our investment process are:
| Environmental | Social | Governance |
|---|---|---|
| Climate change | Health and safety | Board independence |
| Biodiversity | Human rights and modern slavery | Board and company diversity |
| Waste and pollution | Labour standards | Shareholder rights |
| Energy efficiency | First Nations | Executive remuneration |
Climate change represents one of the most significant challenges of our time, and as global investors we’re committed to doing our part towards investing in a low-carbon economy.
Our Sustainable Investment Policy outlines our approach to managing climate-related investment risks and opportunities in the investment portfolio. We have adopted a target of a net zero greenhouse gas emissions investment portfolio by 2050.1
We recognise the importance of enhancing our disclosures for our members and other stakeholders. Our Net Zero 2050 Roadmap outlines our current plan to transition towards a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions investment portfolio by 20501 and accelerate actions towards our target. It establishes the guiding principles, our approach to setting interim targets and the 2-year action plan for our investment portfolio.
To demonstrate progress on our commitments, we will report on an annual basis in accordance with voluntary or mandatory requirements.
Read the Net Zero 2050 RoadmapWhile we consider sustainable investment approaches across all investment options (except the Cash option), we offer the Socially Conscious Balanced option for members who prefer to invest in an option which has additional exclusions and an additional approach to sustainable investing.
The sustainable investment approaches of integration and stewardship also apply to this option, as relevant to the asset class and investment style. Thematic investing, where investments are selected to access specific trends, such as investment in climate-related opportunities, may also be used when selecting external investment managers for this option.
Find out if this option is right for you Learn more about our investment options and performanceSustainable investing considers environmental, social and governance factors in the investment process. We see sustainable investing as a part of our legal duty to members to better protect and manage investments for the long term.
Read more about our approach to sustainable investing in our Sustainable Investment Policy.
Yes. Our Socially Conscious Balanced option is designed for members who want to grow their super over the long term and invest in an option which has additional exclusions and an additional approach to sustainable investing.
The sustainable investment approaches of integration and stewardship also apply to this option, as relevant to the asset class and investment style. Thematic investing, where investments are selected to access specific trends, such as investment in climate-related opportunities, may also be used when selecting external investment managers for this option.
Our investment team’s expertise and experience help us deliver competitive investment returns over the long term. View our superannuation performance for Australian Retirement Trust and compare our investment options. View our superannuation performance for the QSuper MySuper option.
1. Scope 3 category 15 (investments) emissions. PCAF (2022). The Global GHG Accounting and Reporting Standard Part A: Financed Emissions. Second Edition.
