Why ESG factors matter

Financially material environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors can affect the performance of investments. We believe that when companies and other security issuers manage these factors well, they are more likely to be more efficient, less exposed to regulatory and reputational risk, and offer opportunities for our client portfolios.

As a result, we believe assessing financially material ESG considerations in the investment decision-making progress strengthens risk management and may contribute to long-term financial returns.

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The UNPRI survey includes modules that solicit information from signatories, including J.P. Morgan Asset Management, on topics including an overall Investment Stewardship & Policy module and a number of modules covering individual asset classes, such as Listed Equity, Fixed Income and Infrastructure. Information is self-reported by signatories, including J.P. Morgan Asset Management, and was not audited by any party, including J.P. Morgan Asset Management, independent public accounting firms or UNPRI. Information on the UNPRI 2021 assessment methodology is available here, along with FAQs on the 2021 reporting cycle here.

For certain strategies that the adviser determines to be ESG integrated, the adviser integrates financially material environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors as part of the Fund’s investment process (ESG Integration). ESG Integration is the systematic inclusion of ESG issues in investment analysis and investment decisions. ESG Integration is dependent upon the availability of sufficient ESG information for the applicable investment universe. In addition, in order for an actively managed strategy to be considered ESG integrated, the adviser requires: (1) portfolio management teams to consider proprietary research on the financial materiality of ESG issues on investments; (2) documentation of the adviser’s research views and methodology throughout the investment process; and (3) appropriate monitoring of ESG considerations in ongoing risk management and portfolio monitoring. ESG determinations may not be conclusive and securities of companies/issuers may be purchased and retained, without limit, regardless of potential ESG impact. The impact of ESG Integration on performance is not specifically measurable as investment decisions are discretionary regardless of ESG considerations. As ESG integration considers financially material ESG factors, it does not by itself change a strategy’s investment objective, exclude specific types of companies, or constrain a strategy’s universe. Certain strategies have additional ESG investment processes that go beyond ESG integration. Please see the offering documents or investment policies for the strategy for any exclusions, constraints on investments, or additional ESG investment processes or strategies.
In actively managed assets deemed by J.P. Morgan Asset Management to be ESG integrated under our governance process, we systematically assess financially material ESG factors amongst other factors in our investment decisions with the goals of managing risk and improving long-term returns. ESG integration does not change a strategy’s investment objective, exclude specific types of companies or constrain a strategy’s investable universe.