We believe that responsible investing principles can help provide enduring benefits for our clients and our communities.
Responsible investing
/ri-'spän(t)-sə-bəl in-'vest-ing/ noun
We have been a leader in responsible investing for over half a century.
Our approach to RI is driven through three key principles:
ESG integration – we aim to incorporate material ESG factors into our investment process systematically, across funds and asset classes.
Stewardship– we connect using our influence with companies and issuers to help them innovate and operate more effectively, and partner with stakeholders to drive and advance ESG best practices.
Impact – through our investing practices, we seek to drive positive environmental and social outcomes.
Glossary: O-R
Paris Agreement
An accord within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change addressing greenhouse-gas-emissions reduction, adaptation and finance, beginning in year 2020. At the December 2015 Paris conference, 195 countries adopted the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal. The agreement sets out a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to below 2°C.
Proxy voting
A ballot cast by one person on behalf of a corporate shareholder who is unable to, or prefers not to attend a shareholder meeting.
Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI or UNPRI) is a United Nations-supported international network of investors working together to implement its six aspirational principles, often referenced as "the Principles". Its goal is to understand the implications of sustainability for investors and support signatories to facilitate incorporating these issues into their investment decision-making and ownership practices. In implementing these principles, signatories contribute to the development of a more sustainable global financial system.
Principles for Responsible Investment in Farmland
A set of guidelines developed by a group of UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) signatories. The principles have evolved into the PRI Farmland Guidelines, which are designed to guide institutional investors that wish to invest responsibly in farmland.
Responsible investing
An investment philosophy that incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment analysis, portfolio construction and ongoing monitoring across asset classes with the objective of enhancing long-term performance, managing risk and aligning client values.
RI principles at Nuveen include:
► ESG integration: we aim to incorporate material ESG factors into our investment process, across funds and asset classes.
► Stewardship: we connect using our influence with companies and issuers to help them innovate and operate more effectively, and partner with stakeholders to drive and advance ESG best practices.
► Impact: through our investing practices, we seek to drive positive environmental and social outcomes.
Other RI approaches include:
► Best in class: Selecting issuers that demonstrate better ESG characteristics within a particular sector, industry or peer group, and achieve a rating above a defined threshold.
► Divestment: The sale or disposition of securities or other assets based on corporate behavior that is not aligned with specific environmental, social and governance objectives, values or convictions.
► Green: Generally refers to the consideration of climate change and environmental impacts in portfolio construction, i.e., investments in clean tech, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
► Low carbon: Seeking to lower a portfolio’s overall carbon footprint by favoring companies with lower current carbon emissions, no fossil fuel reserves, or other green investments. Low-carbon strategies may satisfy clients seeking “fossil-fuel-free” and “green” investments.
► Negative/norm based screening: : Exclude sectors, companies, countries that do not meet minimum standards due to unacceptable downside risk or value misalignment. Also referred to as exclusionary screening.
► Social and environmental impact: : An approach that actively seeks to deliver a competitive return alongside a positive, measurable social or environmental outcome.
► Thematic: Targets investment themes or assets that contribute to specific issues or outcomes, e.g., climate change, gender.
► UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) alignment: Aligning investments to the Sustainable Development Goals – e.g., poverty, health, education, climate change and environmental degradation – to help connect business strategies, objectives and outcomes with global priorities.
RI-focused funds
Originally known as socially responsible investing (SRI) funds, these portfolios explicitly apply environmental, social and governance criteria in their investment decision-making process, often in the development of an investable universe.
