29 February 2015

• The Responsible Investment Association of Australasia today announces the re-launch of its refreshed Responsible Investment Certification Program.
• To coincide with this re-launch, RIAA welcomes three leading superannuation funds as the first to achieve Certification under the new whole-of-Superannuation-Fund category: Australian Ethical Super, Christian Super, and Local Government Super.

Responding to the surging consumer interest in responsible and ethical investments, RIAA is today announcing the re-launch of its Responsible Investment Certification Program—a tool designed to help consumers and financial advisers navigate towards the growing range of responsible investment options.

RIAA’s Certification Program has been in place for 10 years and in recent months was revised and strengthened with a focus on internal governance, program requirements, criteria, and verification processes.

“With the recent work we have done on the Certification Program, we are now very excited to be bringing this to market at a time when it couldn’t be more important to provide clear, verified and transparent information about the rapidly growing range of responsible investment products,” said RIAA CEO Simon O’Connor.

“A key objective of the Certification Program is to help the growing number of engaged consumers navigate more easily towards the range of responsible investment products and better understand the differences between them. This is about helping consumers be better informed before they make investment decisions.”

Today, to coincide with announcing the re-launch, RIAA is also very pleased to be announcing the first-ever Certification for whole superannuation funds that have met the rigorous requirements for integrating responsible investment. RIAA congratulates three leading superannuation funds for meeting the demanding requirements to attain Certification:

• Australian Ethical Super
• Christian Super
• Local Government Super

Australian Ethical CEO Phil Vernon said, “A rapidly growing number of Australians are using their choice of super to advance both a sustainable future and their best financial interests. RIAA’s Certification Program helps investors make that important choice, and we value their recognition of Australian Ethical’s leadership in investing for people, the planet and our members.”

Tim Macready, CIO at Christian Super, said, “RIAA’s Responsible Investment Certification is a valuable recognition of the work that our Fund does to achieve good outcomes for members using ethical and sustainable decision-making principles and processes. We are privileged to be able to manage our members’ money in accordance with Biblical principles so that their superannuation can change the world for the better.”

Local Government Super’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Lambert, said, “We are very pleased to receive this independent recognition of Local Government Super’s leadership in sustainable and responsible investing. It also endorses our commitment to superior environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, and ethical investment management.”

To attain Certification across the entire superannuation fund, these funds demonstrated leading practices to integrate responsible investment across their entire fund, specifically: applying at least two responsible investment strategies across the fund; with at least 75% of the assets under management under clearly defined responsible investment strategies; disclosing their full portfolio holdings; systematically applying other active ownership strategies including engagement and proxy voting; and actively contributing to advocating for more responsible financial markets.

“We congratulate these three superannuation funds for meeting what are very strict requirements, showing a deep commitment to applying a responsible investment approach across their entire fund,” said Mr. O’Connor.

The RIAA Certification Program website currently profiles more than 80 products from 30 investment organisations across equities funds, fixed interest funds, ETFs, banking products, private equity, property, impact investments, as well as 20 Certified Financial Advisers.

-ENDS-

For all media enquiries contact:Simon O’Connor | RIAA on 0401 360 500 or simonoc@responsibleinvestment.org

About RIAA:The RIAA is the industry body representing responsible investors throughout Australasia with 165 members managing well over $1 trillion in global assets under management. RIAA works to shift more capital into sustainable assets and enterprises and shape responsible financial markets to underpin strong investment returns and a healthier economy, society, and environment.

Our members represent a cross-section of the investment industry including superfunds, asset managers, asset consultants, research houses, brokers, financial advisers, community banks, and trusts.

Important information about the Responsible Investment Certification Program:The Responsible Investment Certification Program is not designed for the purpose of providing personal financial product or investment advice. The Certification Program is designed to provide information solely on the responsible and ethical investment strategies that apply to each of the Certified investment products for information only.

The information provided by the Certification Program is not a recommendation to invest in any investment products. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation, or investment needs—all of which should be considered prior to making an investment decision. You should seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

[1] www.responsibleinvestment.org/program-overview/
[2] www.responsibleinvestment.org/riaa-members/

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