Active ownership and engagement
NGS Super's Active ownership and engagement policy outlines our position and approach to active ownership. This includes proxy voting, company engagement and advocacy activities, and shows our commitment to ESG and responsible investing principles.
Ownership
The Fund believes that active ownership is essential to its investment strategy and seeks to cover the entire portfolio under this policy.
NGS Super has defined a set of objectives to focus our active ownership activities, with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in mind. Each year the Fund will report engagement activities and its contribution to the SDGs.
| Objective | Rationale | UN SDG |
|---|---|---|
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Exclusions |
The Fund has a zero tolerance for stocks within our portfolio that breach our exclusions which can be found in the Responsible Investment Policy. |
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Climate change |
Climate change presents material medium to long-term risks for investors (physical and transitional risk). Therefore we will support the objectives outlined in the Paris agreement and engage with investment managers and companies in the pursuit of the Fund's Carbon Neutral by 2030 interim and end targets. |
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Human rights |
We support and promote the protection of human rights in our investment supply chain. The Fund is committed to assessing its supply chain and complying with the Commonwealth Modern Slavery legislation (Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)). We support and promote the protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights. |
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Governance |
We promote and advocate for best practice corporate governance in the companies we own. Poor corporate governance diminishes long-term investment outcomes. |
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Pollution |
We will promote the respectful treatment of our environment. Pollution of the environment can affect long-term value creation. |
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Gender equality |
We will promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion. |
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Engagement
The Fund’s active ownership objectives shape the key ESG issues whereby the Fund or its appointed specialist partners will engage. If an ESG issue falls outside the agreed objectives, the Fund or its appointed specialist partners will engage as deemed appropriate.
| Sub-theme | Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
|
Fund exclusions |
Critical |
The Fund has a zero tolerance for stocks within our portfolio that breach our exclusions which can be found in the Responsible Investment Policy. |
|
Climate change |
Critical |
Climate change presents material medium to long-term risks for investors (physical and transitional risk). We support the objectives outlined in the Paris agreement and the transition to a low-carbon world. |
|
Human rights |
Critical |
We support and promote the protection of human rights in our investment supply chain. The Fund is committed to assessing its supply chain and complying with the Commonwealth Modern Slavery legislation (Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)). |
|
Corporate Governance |
Very important |
We promote and advocate for best practice corporate governance in the companies we own. Poor corporate governance diminishes long-term investment outcomes. |
|
Pollution |
Very important |
We will promote the respectful treatment of our environment. Pollution of the environment can affect long-term value creation. |
|
Nature and Biodiversity |
Very important |
We support and promote the protection of natural capital and biodiversity loss. Natural capital refers to things like water, forests and clean air. Natural capital provides essential goods and services such as food, water and climate regulation. These things provide people everywhere the ability to live healthy lives and underpins sustainable economic activity. |
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Diversity and inclusion |
Important |
We will promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion. |
International engagement reports
Below are reports summarising the engagement activities and statistics performed on our behalf by our international equities engagement partner, Hermes EOS. For more information about NGS Super's approach to engagement, visit the Active Ownership and Engagement policy.
You can read more about our third party service providers on our Policies and principles page.
Australian engagement reports
Below are reports summarising the engagement activities and statistics performed on our behalf by our Australian equities engagement partner, Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI). For more information about NGS Super's approach to engagement, visit the Active Ownership and Engagement policy.
You can read more about our third party service providers on our Policies and principles page.
Proxy voting
Policies and principles
