Sustainability framework

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Sustainability analysis is integrated across our investment strategies. We also offer sustainable investment solutions.

Why we focus on sustainability

In focusing on sustainability in our investments, we seek to position portfolios to benefit from a deep understanding of externalities that, over the long term, we believe the market will price into the value of securities. This is central to our goal of achieving long-term investment excellence for our clients.

We believe active management occupies a unique position in facilitating the allocation of capital that delivers on clients’ investment objectives while supporting a shift to a more sustainable and, therefore, a more prosperous future. To fulfil this role, we look to invest through inclusive capital allocation, rather than divestment.


We have a firmwide controversial-weapons exclusion policy and will not invest in companies that are directly involved in the manufacture and production of cluster munitions, antipersonnel landmines, and biological and chemical weapons. At the request of clients with segregated portfolios, we can exclude specific securities, sectors or countries from our ESG-integration portfolios.

Investments involve risk; losses may be made.

Read our Sustainability & Stewardship Report

Our approach to sustainability has three dimensions

1. Integration

We seek high-quality ESG-integration standards firmwide for all strategies. Our aim is to ensure that robust ESG-integration processes highlight material sustainability risks and opportunities. Our approach is based on the belief that, over time, the market will increasingly price negative externalities into the value of securities, and that investment outcomes can be improved by a deep understanding of material ESG-related risks and opportunities.

Ninety One’s investment teams have ultimate responsibility for managing sustainability risks and opportunities, and their own integration frameworks. In this, they are supported by several global functions:

  • the Sustainability team, which oversees and supports Ninety One’s sustainability ecosystem and stewardship activities;
  • the Investment Risk team, which includes a dedicated ESG Risk function that monitors firm- and portfolio-level sustainability risks; and
  • the Proxy Voting team which assists with and coordinates proxy voting
2. Active ownership

Our engagement approach is driven by our goal to preserve and grow the real value of the assets entrusted to us by our clients over the long term. We take a targeted approach, prioritising engagements where we can exert influence. Where we believe engagement is ineffective or companies are not committed to change, we may use the ultimate lever we have as an investor, which is to reallocate our capital. Ninety One votes at shareholder meetings throughout the world as a matter of principle.

3. Impact and sustainable strategies

Ninety One offers a range of strategies that focus on aspects of sustainability, including:

Climate change
supporting decarbonisation by investing in climate solutions and transition, and adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

Access to services
enabling access to healthcare, education, infrastructure and other important services.

Economic development
promoting equitable development, for example through job creation, productivity gains and innovation in emerging markets.

We invest in a way that seeks to capture the return and growth opportunities from addressing these sustainability challenges.

Latest report

Jellyfish under water

Sustainability and Stewardship Report

Our purpose is to invest for a better tomorrow. Our Sustainability & Stewardship Report details Ninety One’s work – on behalf of our clients and all of our stakeholders – towards a more sustainable future, with a deep dive into how we invest, advocacy and our corporate footprint.

Learn more

Important Information

This communication is provided for general information only should not be construed as advice.

All the information in is believed to be reliable but may be inaccurate or incomplete. The views are those of the contributor at the time of publication and do not necessary reflect those of Ninety One.

Any opinions stated are honestly held but are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.

All rights reserved. Issued by Ninety One.

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