Ninety One

The financial institution publishes an engagement report detailing outcomes related to sustainability impact topics and maintains a gender balance of 40-60% at the senior executive level. Performance criteria for senior executive remuneration are linked to specific sustainability targets, with responsibility for implementing the sustainability strategy assigned to various functions, teams, or committees.

The institution publishes a stewardship policy that encompasses client and stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and partnerships, including criteria for successful stewardship outcomes, escalation routes for unsuccessful efforts, and guidelines for when escalations should occur. It also discloses a list of trade associations of which it is a member and transparently identifies the key sectors, clients, and investees for engagement on climate and nature-related issues. Furthermore, the institution actively engages with these entities to influence and support strategies for nature protection and restoration, with partnerships formed to address nature-related impacts. Also, it monitors its Scope 1-2 emissions and emissions from associated financing activities (Scope 3 category 15). Additionally, interim targets aligned with a 1.5C trajectory are set for 2025 and 2030.

The financial institution has a publicly available policy statement on workers’ rights but could disclose its approval by the highest governance body. It has the opportunity to clarify how it determines a living wage in its operational regions. Although bribery and corruption are prohibited, formalising this commitment in a public policy document is advisable. Including anti-bribery and anti-corruption clauses in contracts with business partners is also recommended. While material sustainability impacts are identified, further detail on the process and criteria for prioritisation is suggested. The stewardship policy could be better aligned with the sustainability strategy. Intentionality in providing products and services for climate adaptation and resilience should be detailed.

Monitoring of scope 3 emissions could expand to cover additional categories with rationale for exclusions. The methodology for carbon footprint calculation should encompass all aspects, including emissions coverage and data sources. Disclosure of client and beneficiary breakdown by income group is recommended, along with processes to avoid divestment from low-income countries due to sustainability strategies. The risk assessment process should include ILO fundamental rights risks, with a mitigation process for identified risks.

Lastly, an example of actions taken regarding salient human rights issues from assessment processes in the last three years is recommended.

This scorecard refers to information in English which was publicly available by July 15 2024. AuM and Total assets are stated in USD for comparability and have been calculated based on reported local currency values multiplied by applicable IMF currency converter values.