How we evaluate products
Responsible Investment strategies, processes, practices and disclosures are assessed against the eight criteria for product certification in the Responsible Investment Standard and accompanying Guidance and Assessment Notes.
What are the requirements?
In order to certify products as certified responsible investments, RIAA assesses them against its RI Certification Standard. The Certification Standard is underpinned by eight requirements that act as the guiding principles of the RI Certification Program. Since its inception the RI Certification Standard has evolved significantly, reflecting the dynamic evolution of responsible investment. These eight requirements are:
- RI strategies are formal, disclosed, consistent, auditable and fit for purpose
- Labels are clear, honest and not misleading
- Product avoids significant harm
- Discloses full holdings, performance, sustainability outcomes and engagement and voting practices
- Managed by active stewards, and managers can detail the stewardship practices and outcomes
- Organisation has formal commitment to responsible investment
- Organisation provides educational information to members and customers about RI strategies
What this symbol means


General certification: This Symbol signifies that a product or service offers an investment style that takes into account environmental, social, governance or ethical considerations, and that it adheres to the operational and disclosure practices required under the Responsible Investment Certification Program for the category of Product.
The content on this webpage is provided by Responsible Investment Association Australasia Ltd (ACN 641 046 666, AFSL 554110). For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. Certain content provided may constitute a summary or extract from the offer document of a financial product. Any general advice has been provided without reference to your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. If the advice relates to the acquisition of a particular financial product for which an offer document (such as a product disclosure document) is available, you should obtain the offer document relating to the particular financial product and consider it before making any decision whether to acquire the product. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial products’ future performance. To obtain information tailored to your situation, contact a financial adviser.
Themes & Issues
Society
Armaments
Fully avoided
Nuclear power
Fully avoided
Tobacco
Fully avoided
Fossil fuels
Mostly avoided
Gambling
Partially avoided
Genetic engineering
Partially avoided
Human rights abuses
Partially avoided
Labour rights violations
Partially avoided
Pornography
Partially avoided
Alcohol
Partially avoided
Environment
Armaments
Fully avoided
Nuclear power
Fully avoided
Tobacco
Fully avoided
Fossil fuels
Mostly avoided
Gambling
Partially avoided
Genetic engineering
Partially avoided
Human rights abuses
Partially avoided
Labour rights violations
Partially avoided
Pornography
Partially avoided
Alcohol
Partially avoided
For RIAA’s definitions of the themes included and issues avoided, please view this guide . Product-specific exclusion criteria and practices may vary. You can find these by referring directly to the product provider.
Overview
The fund is a passively managedinternational fixed interest portfolio that is designed to track the return ofthe Bloomberg Barclays MSCI Global Aggregate SRI Select ex-Fossil Fuels Index.The fund is managed to specific ‘sustainable investment’ criteria whichprohibit investments in certain companies or activities, and encourageinvestment in companies with strong environmental, social and governancecharacteristics. As described in our Sustainable Investment Policy, this fund is managed to specific ‘sustainable investment’ criteria which prohibits investments in certain companies or activities, and encourages investment in companies with strong environmental, social and governance characteristics.
Description
The Mercer Ethical Leaders Hedged Global Fixed Interest Index Fund employs ESG integration, active ownership, and screening strategies in its sustainable investment approach.
1. ESG integration: the inclusion of ESG factors into the investment process for risk/return reasons. Mercer scores managers abilities to integrate ESG factors into their strategies using their ESG Rating criteria between an ESG1 (best) and ESG4 (worst). Investment managers or strategies with higher ESG Ratings are selected for this fund, typically ESG1 or ESG2.
2. Active ownership: Mercer’s Sustainable Investment Manager runs a dedicated direct company engagement program with the top twenty Australian holdings, over and above the engagement managers are doing with companies, and the engagement we undertake with our managers and through collaborative initiatives.
3. Excluded investments include the following themes:
• Nicotine alternatives and tobacco-based products
• Controversial weapons
• Russian securities
• Fossil Fuels
• Adult entertainment
• Alcohol
• Gambling
• Depleted uranium ammunition/armour
Specific thresholds and definitions apply. Please see https://www.multimanager.mercer.co.nz/funds/environmental-social-governance-policies.html for full details.
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Themes & Issues
0
themes included
3
issues fully avoided
1
issues mostly avoided
6
issues partially avoided
Product Targets
Wholesale
Retail
Certified Since
2007
Last date certified
October 13, 2023
Primary RI Strategy
Negative Screening
Secondary RI Strategy
Other (please detail)