Responsible Returns Investment Tool

Product Name	Australian Ethical Australian Shares Fund
Issuer	Australian Ethical Investment
Category	Investment product
Type	Fund/Trust
Target	Retail, Wholesale
Certified Since	2006
Certification Symbol	Ethical
Asset Classes	Equities - Australian only
Markets	Australia, New Zealand
Investment Approaches	Negative Screening, Positive Screening, Engagement
It Includes	More sustainable companies Social impact investments Renewable energy Green property Healthcare & medical products Sustainable transport Education Social & community infrastructure Sustainable water Sustainable land management & agriculture
It Excludes	Fossil fuels Logging Tobacco Nuclear energy (including uranium) Human rights violations Labour rights violations Animal cruelty Armaments Alcohol Gambling Pornography

Overview

A diversified share portfolio of companies predominately listed on the ASX and selected on the basis of their social, environmental and financial credentials. The Fund utilises an active stock-picking management style with stocks selected for growth rather than income, with a bias towards smaller capitalisation stocks listed on the ASX. All stocks are chosen on the basis of relative value where we deem the risks are being adequately priced.

Description

Australian Ethical invests according to the Australian Ethical Charter, a copy of which can be viewed here. The Australian Ethical Charter first states that the australianethical “trusts shall seek out investments which provide for and support” twelve different types of positive responsible action. In addition, the Australian Ethical Charter states that the australianethical “trusts shall avoid any investment which is considered to unnecessarily” act against principles of responsible investment. australianethical therefore emphasises positive screening whilst also ensuring that its investments comply with the negative screening implicit in the Australian Ethical Charter.

Seeks out investments which provide for and support:

the development of workers’ participation in the ownership and control of their work organisations and places;
the production of high quality and properly presented products and services;
the development of locally based ventures; the development of appropriate technological systems;
the amelioration of wasteful or polluting practices; the development of sustainable land use and food production;
the preservation of endangered eco-systems; activities which contribute to human happiness, dignity and education;
the dignity and well being of non-human animals;
the efficient use of human waste;
the alleviation of poverty in all its forms; and
the development and preservation of appropriate human buildings and landscape.

Avoids investments that is considered to unnecessarily:

pollute land, air or water destroy or waste non-recurring resources;
extract, create, produce, manufacture, or market materials, products, goods or services which have a harmful effect on humans, non-human animals or the environment;
market, promote or advertise, products or services in a misleading or deceitful manner;
create markets by the promotion or advertising of unwanted products or services;
acquire land or commodities primarily for the purpose of speculative gain;
create, encourage or perpetuate militarism or engage in the manufacture of armaments; entice people into financial over-commitment;
exploit people through the payment of low wages or the provision of poor working conditions;
discriminate by way of race, religion or sex in employment, marketing, or advertising practices; and
contribute to the inhibition of human rights generally.

Australian Ethical Australian Shares Fund

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