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
High scoring ESG companies
Included
No specific themes
Included
Animal cruelty
Fully avoided
Fossil fuels
Fully avoided
Human rights abuses
Fully avoided
Labour rights violations
Fully avoided
Armaments
Mostly avoided
Tobacco
Mostly avoided
Gambling
Partially avoided
Genetic engineering
Partially avoided
Nuclear power
Partially avoided
Pornography
Partially avoided
Alcohol
Partially avoided
Environment
High scoring ESG companies
Included
No specific themes
Included
Animal cruelty
Fully avoided
Fossil fuels
Fully avoided
Human rights abuses
Fully avoided
Labour rights violations
Fully avoided
Armaments
Mostly avoided
Tobacco
Mostly avoided
Gambling
Partially avoided
Genetic engineering
Partially avoided
Nuclear power
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
ESGI invests in a diversified portfolio of sustainable international companies listed on exchanges in developed markets around the world (ex Australia) with the aim of providing investment returns, before fees and other costs, which track the performance of the MSCI World ex Australia ex Fossil Fuel Select SRI and Low Carbon Capped Index.
Description
Summary of index methodology: A four step process is followed to determine the Index from the eligible universe which is the securities in the MSCI World ex Australia Index (Parent Index). Step 1 - Fossil fuels exclusion: Companies that have proved & probable coal reserves and/or oil and natural gas reserves used for energy purposes are excluded. From the MSCI World Ex Australia Fossil Fuel Select SRI and Low Carbon Capped Index Methodology:- All companies excluded by the application of the MSCI Global ex Fossil Fuels Indexes
methodology- All companies that derive a part of their revenue (either reported or estimated) fromthe mining of thermal coal (including lignite, bituminous, anthracite and steam coal) andits sale to external parties- All companies with evidence of owning fossil fuel reserves regardless of their industries,including companies that own less than 50% of a reserves field- All companies that derive a part of their revenue (either reported or estimated), from oiland gas related activities, including distribution / retail, equipment and services,extraction and production, petrochemicals, pipelines and transportation and refiningbut excluding biofuel production and sales and trading activitiesStep 2 - Screening of SRI and ESG companies: From the securities remaining after step 1, those whose businesses are significantly involved in or exposed to the following activities are excluded: Alcohol Gambling Tobacco Military weapons Civilian firearms Nuclear power Adult entertainment Genetically modified organisms Aninal welface (All companies that are involved in commercial animal husbandry for the purpose of food production, including breeding, raising, and slaughtering pork, veal, poultry, and beef, as well as dairy and egg farm operators and ll companies that conduct animal testing for non-pharmaceutical products such as cosmetic, personal care, and household cleaning products) and Soft drinks in addition all companies with an “Opportunities in Nutrition and Health score” greater than 2 (i.e. 3rd and 4th quartile) and all companies with Red, Orange or Yellow human rights controversy flags are excluded . In MSCI ESG Research data is then used to determine which of the remaining securities are to be included in the Reference Index representing 15% of the Free Float Market Capitalisation in each GICS® sector from step 1. Allowable revenue thresholds per category is shown pg 14 of the MSCI SRI Indexes Methodology.
Step 3 - Applying the carbon emitter screen: The remaining companies from step 2 are then ranked by carbon emission intensity and the top 25% by number are excluded from the Reference Index. The cumulative weight of securities excluded from any GICS sector is capped at 30% of the weight of the sectors from step 2. Securities are also excluded until the cumulative potential carbon emissions of the excluded companies reaches 50% of the sum of the potential carbon emissions of the constituents remaining from step 2. Step 4 - Component weighting and capping: The remaining securities are then weighted by their Free Float Market Capitalisation subject to a 5% weighting cap.
We, the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, don't earn any commission from providers or products you switch to.
Themes & Issues
2
themes included
4
issues fully avoided
2
issues mostly avoided
5
issues partially avoided
Product Targets
Wholesale
Retail
Certified Since
2018
Last date certified
May 9, 2023
Primary RI Strategy
Negative Screening, Positive Screening
Secondary RI Strategy