We don’t invest in companies with significant exposure* to the fossil fuel, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, adult entertainment, civilian firearms, military weapons, and nuclear power industries. It’s the right thing to do, and we believe it will be good for long term investment returns too %)
All companies that own proved & probable fossil fuel (coal, oil, or gas) reserves, and companies classified* as being involved with fossil fuel production and supporting products and services.
Alcohol
Companies that earn significant revenue* from manufacturing or distribution and / or retail sale of alcoholic beverages, or supplying alcohol-related products / services to manufacturers.
Tobacco
All companies that earn revenue from the manufacture of tobacco products, and those that earn significant revenue* from involvement in distribution and / or retail sale of tobacco products or supplying tobacco related products or services to manufacturers.
Gambling and casinos
Companies that earn significant revenue* from owning or operating a gambling establishment, the manufacture of specialised equipment for gambling, or providing supporting products / services to gambling operations.
Civilian Firearms
All companies that earn revenue from the production, distribution and sale of assault weapons or small arms, including associated components, to civilian customers.
Adult entertainment
Companies that earn significant revenue* from producing adult entertainment, owning / operating adult entertainment establishments, or distributing adult entertainment materials.
Military Weapons
All companies that earn revenue from producing chemical or biological weapons, anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions, nuclear weapons or any associated components, parts, support systems, precursors, or services.
Nuclear Power
All companies that earn revenue from involvement in the operation and supply of nuclear power generation, and those engaged in development, processing, production and distribution of equipment and facilities that are specifically designed for and critical to the generation of nuclear power.
Or companies deemed to be non-compliant with UN Global Compact principles
Human rights
Principles 1 and 2: – Businesses should support human rights, and not be complicit with human rights abuses.
Labour
Principles 3, 4, 5 and 6: Businesses should uphold freedom of labour association, recognise the right to collective bargaining, and work to eliminate employment and occupation discrimination, forced labour, and child labour.
Environment
Principles 7, 8 and 9: Businesses should promote greater environmental responsibility, and encourage development of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti corruption
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
* Industry classifications and revenue thresholds used for ethical investment screening by Simplicity and our third party investment managers are applied in accordance with the FTSE Global Choice Index Series Ground Rules. FTSE review the Global Choice Index Series on a quarterly basis.