UniSuper ESG funds reach $10b FUM

Higher education industry super fund UniSuper has surpassed $10 billion in funds under management (FUM) across three dedicated environmental, social and governance (ESG) options. 

UniSuper had committed to actively incorporate ESG factors into all investment decisions and the dedicated ESG-themed strategies were designed to avoid companies involved in the production, generation, or transmission of coal, oil or gas. 

The three ESG-themed strategies were:   

• Sustainable High Growth, launched in 2000, which had delivered 10.8% in the last year to 31 December and 10.6% p.a. over 10 years; 
• Sustainable Balanced, launched in 2007, which had delivered 8.8% in the last year to 31 December and 9.0% p.a. over 10 years; and 
• Global Environmental Opportunities, launched in 2012, which had delivered 49.7% in the last year to 31 December and 17.5% p.a. since inception. 

John Pearce, UniSuper chief investment officer, said surpassing the $10 billion milestone was significant, with “excellent returns” the major contributing factor. 

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“The growth also reflects just how engaged our member base is, and the importance of ESG considerations in their investment choices,” Pearce said. 

“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.”   

UniSuper had committed to achieving net zero absolute carbon emissions  in its investment portfolios by 2050, in alignment with the Paris Agreement.