Responsible investment

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Responsible investing is fundamental. That’s why we integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into our fundamental approach to investment research and stewardship.

We believe it’s integral to long-term wealth creation—driven by intense research, active ownership, and continuous learning.

Investing Responsibly at Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Responsible Investment research and analytics, where coverage is available, is made available to portfolio managers via centralised research databases and portfolio manager tools. Certain teams may place more, less or no emphasis on ESG factors in any given investment decision.

Powerful capabilities

By combining intense research, sophisticated ESG tools, specialised expertise, and a collaborative approach, we aim to manage risk and identify opportunities to create long-term value for investors

Stewardship

While something may look good on paper in practice it can be a different story. That’s why we actively engage in constructive dialogue with companies, issuers, and real asset occupiers to gain a more informed outlook and drive improvement on ESG risks and opportunities.

Product solutions

We offer a wide range of pooled ESG funds that cover all the major asset classes, including multi-asset and alternatives. We are also able to tailor our expertise and tools to offer flexible account design options with bespoke ESG criteria, tailored to suit a client’s preferences.

Shaping the market

As a large, global asset manager, we play a thoughtful and proactive role in public policy development through engagement with governments and regulators on key issues.

40+

Responsible Investment experts

Our responsible investment experts support our clients, investment professionals, and wider business interests with ESG-oriented research, engagement, voting, data, reporting, product development, and screening for specialised ESG portfolios.

250+

research analysts

Portfolio managers, research analysts and ESG analysts provide a critical link into the responsible investment team and conduct asset-class specific research and engagement. This enables us to integrate financially material ESG issues into our decision-making.

40 Yrs

of responsible investment experience

For over four decades, we – through our predecessor companies – have been at the forefront of responsible investing. Our heritage in responsible investment spans back to Europe’s first social and environmentally screened fund over 40 years ago. We started engaging on climate change via our reo® service in 2000 and were a founding member of the Principles of Responsible Investment in 2006.

A global centre of excellence

We offer a wealth of in-house ESG expertise, led by our team of dedicated responsible investment experts.

A powerful combination that allows us to harness the best thinking from across our investment platform to meet our clients’ needs.

Sector and industry breadth

Our responsible investment specialists have a wide range of sector and thematic expertise that helps us develop and support a broad range of investment opportunities.

Our engagement approach covers these themes

Environmental stewardship & biodiversity
Climate change
Corporate governance
Business conduct
Labour standards
Human rights

Research tools and frameworks

We have an extensive range of powerful research tools and frameworks that sit at the heart of our responsible investment engine. They inform the integration of ESG into investment research, portfolio construction, and risk monitoring.

The extent to which these tools are used will vary according to the client mandate and strategy objectives.

Strategies for responsible investment

Individuals, institutions, and businesses from around the world count on us to manage their money in a way that simultaneously serves their financial goals and aligns with their values. But the optimal responsible investment strategy naturally looks different for everyone.

For over 40 years, we have proven our ability to innovate and deliver a broad range of responsible investing strategies to serve our clients:

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2023

Launch of the first social and environmentally screened fund in Europe

Launch of Responsible Global Equity

Launch of reo^® – our dedicated engagement overlay service

Launch of Responsible Sterling Corporate Bond

Launch of Responsible Global Emerging Markets Equity

Launch of Climate Opportunity Partners Private Equity

Launch of the first Social Bond fund for UK retail investors

Launch of European Social Bond

Launch of Responsible Euro Credit

Launch of SDG Engagement Global Equity

Launch of European Sustainable Infrastructure

Launch of Sustainable Multi-Asset Income

Launch of Sustainable Universal MAP

Launch of Sustainable Global Equity Income

Launch of Global Social Bond

We offer a wide range of pooled ESG funds across all major asset classes, including multi-asset and alternatives. No matter your responsible investment focus or mandate, we can build a solution that suits your unique preferences.

(reo^®) – Our Responsible Engagement Overlay service

We were pioneers in active ownership with the creation of our Responsible Engagement Overlay (reo^®) service in 2000, through which clients entrust us to engage and vote on their behalf. reo^® offers clients access to the full suite of our stewardship expertise including:

SDG-aligned reporting that details the impact of our engagement

Global cross-sector coverage across the market cap spectrum

25-year track record of engagement

Please note that the reo^® service may not be available in all jurisdictions.

Embracing global stewardship & accountability

As a large, global asset manager we take our responsibility seriously to help promote a well-functioning financial system. In the long run this benefits our clients and society as a whole. We strive to be a responsible employer and active contributor to the communities in which we operate. Being responsible is fundamental to our culture.

Part of a big conversation

We play a thoughtful and proactive role in public policy development through engagement with regulators and policymakers on key issues, striving to set standards as a constructive investor voice. We collaborate with other investors through various industry working groups to better understand emerging ESG issues as well as share our learnings with the broader industry.

Acting with purpose

We are long-standing signatories of established responsible investment standards and codes, and we are committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in our business. We also thoughtfully consider the climate impact of our business and engage in philanthropic initiatives through our charitable giving and support. Our corporate commitments include:

Signatory to the UK, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan Stewardship Codes
Founding signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment
Member of Climate Action 100+
Member of the Investor Alliance in support of the respect for human rights

Policies

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Controversial weapons policy

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Net Zero Investing – Columbia Threadneedle Investments Approach

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Article 3 Sustainability Risk Statement

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Stewardship Policy

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Good Governance Policy

Disclosures

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Climate Report TCFD 2026

Glossary

A

Adverse impact

The main, potential negative effects on sustainability factors in investments based on criteria defined by European regulators.

Aggregate sustainability risk exposure

The overall sustainability risk faced by a company or portfolio, taking account of a range of issues such as climate risk and ESG factors.

B

Best-in-class

Best-in-class strategies try to make their portfolios better on ESG issues and/or carbon characteristics by excluding certain investments deemed negative in that respect or including certain investments deemed positive in that respect.

C

Carbon footprint

The carbon emissions and carbon intensity of a portfolio, compared with its investment universe (benchmark). The benchmark might be, for example, companies in the FTSE 100.

Carbon intensity

A company’s carbon emissions, relative to the size of the business. This allows investors to compare the company’s carbon efficiency with its competitors’.

Climate risk

The risk that an investment’s value could be harmed by climate issues such as global warming, energy transition and climate regulation. Investors normally assess climate risk by looking at carbon footprint data, climate adaptation risk, physical risk and stranded assets.

Climate adaptation risk

See Transition Risk.

Controversies

A company’s operational failures or everyday practices that have severe consequences for workers, customers, shareholders, wider society and the environment. Examples are poor employee relations, human rights abuses, failure to follow regulations, and pollution. Controversies help to indicate the quality of a company.

Corporate governance

The way that companies are organised and led. We look at how well companies are sticking to good practices set out in Corporate Governance Codes, which vary from country to country. Corporate governance is also part of the ‘G’ in ESG. In this context Governance may focus on the operational and management practices relating to social and environment aspects of the business.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

A company’s approach to (and engagement with) its stakeholders and the communities it operates in, reflecting its responsibility towards people and planet.

D

Decarbonisation

The reduction of the carbon emissions associated with a region, country, industry or organisation. It can also refer to the reduction of the carbon emissions associated with a fund’s investments.

Divestment

The opposite of investment. In other words, either reducing or exiting an investment. We divest if we think the potential risks of investing in a company outweigh the potential returns. This may be because we have lost confidence in a company’s leadership, strategy, practices or prospects .

E

Engagement

Talking to members of the board or management of a company – a two-way process that we might initiate, or the company might initiate. We use engagement to understand companies better. We also use it to give feedback, offer advice and seek changes – including change relating to ESG and climate risk. Engagement also means consulting with government and collaborating with other investors to influence policy and shape debate.

Environmental

The “E” in ESG. This covers a focus on significant environmental risks and their management. In a climate change context it is a focus on the risks associated with a business having to adapt to climate change requirements or the physical impacts of climate change. We also look at companies’ environmental opportunities due to changing consumer demands, policy changes, technology and innovation.

ESG

Short for environmental, social and governance. Investors consider companies’ ESG risks and how well they are managed. To do this, we use the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) framework. Considering ESG gives us a different perspective on how good an investment might be.

ESG integration

Always taking account of ESG issues when assessing potential investment opportunities and monitoring the investments in a portfolio.

ESG ratings

Many investment managers use external providers, such as MSCI, to rate companies on their ESG practices. Each provider has its own way of doing things, so ESG scores can vary radically from one provider to another. We run our own ESG system to rate companies. This is based on 77 standards, each for a different industry, produced by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board.

Ethical investing

An ethical approach excludes investments that conflict with the client values and ethics that a fund is seeking to reflect. There are many different activities or issues that people prioritise as ethical. Common examples include tobacco, adult entertainment, controversial weapons, coal or activities that contravene religious social teaching.

Exclusion

Excluding companies from a portfolio. Exclusions can also be used to set minimum standards or characteristics for inclusion of investments in portfolios. Fund managers may exclude entire industries (e.g. tobacco), companies involved in ethically questionable activities (e.g. gambling), companies that fail to meet certain ESG standards, and companies with a bad carbon intensity.

F

Fundamental analysis/research

Using research to work out the true value of an investment, rather than its current price. Many factors contribute to this, including responsible investment factors. Responsible investment helps us understand the quality of a company, its scope to develop and improve (e.g. in response to climate transition) and its prospects (through making money from responding to sustainability issues). Even if a company is good, it is unlikely to offer good investment returns if this is already reflected in the share price.

G

Green bonds

Debt issued by companies or governments, with the money raised earmarked for green initiatives such as building renewable energy facilities.

Greenwashing

Insincere approaches to climate change and other ESG issues by companies, including investment management firms. For example, an investment manager may label a fund as an ESG fund, even if it does not adopt ESG integration in practice.

I

Impact investing

Investing in companies and projects that aim to achieve a positive impact for people and the planet, as well as earning a financial return. For example, investing in affordable housing.

International Labour Organisation (ILO)

A United Nations agency, often abbreviated to “ILO”, that sets international standards for fairness and safety at work. The ILO standards are commonly used by investors to assess how serious a corporate controversy is.

M

Materiality

An ESG issue is “material” if it is likely to have a significant positive or negative effect on a company’s value or performance.

N

Norms-based screening

Screening investments for potential controversies by looking at whether a company follows recognised international standards. We consider standards including the International Labour Organisation standards, the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and the UN Global Compact. Specialist RI funds may exclude companies that do not meet these standards.

P

Physical risk

The physical risks of climate change for businesses, such as rising sea levels, water shortages and changing weather patterns.

Portfolio tilts

Investment industry jargon for having more of something in a portfolio than the benchmark, or less of it. In responsible investment it usually means having more companies in a portfolio that have better ESG credentials or are less exposed to climate risk than there is in the benchmark. The tilt is measured as the overall exposure to a specific type of investment in a portfolio compared to that in the benchmark.

Positive inclusion/screening

Seeking companies that have good ESG practices or that help the world economy be more sustainable. Also used as an alternative to “best-in-class“. The opposite of exclusion.

Principles for Responsible Investment

Often shortened to PRI. A voluntary set of six ethical principles that many investment companies have agreed to adopt. Principle 1, for example, is: “We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.” The PRI was sponsored by the United Nations. Columbia Threadneedle is a founding signatory, and has attained the top A+ headline rating for its overall approach for the sixth year running.

Proxy voting

Voting on behalf of our clients at company general meetings to show support of their practices and approach – or to show our dissent. We put our voting record on our website within seven days of the vote.

R

Responsible Investment (RI)

The umbrella term for our approach towards managing our clients’ money responsibly. This includes the integration of ESG factors, controversies, sustainability opportunities and climate risks into our investment research and engagements with companies, to inform our investment decisions and proxy voting.

Responsible Investment Ratings

Mathematical models created by our responsible investment analysts that provide an evidence-based and forward-looking indication of the quality of a business and its management of risk.

S

SDR (Sustainability Disclosure Requirements)

The Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and labelling regime is a UK framework introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to improve transparency and consistency in how investment products and firms disclose sustainability-related information. It is part of the UK’s broader efforts to combat greenwashing (misleading sustainability claims about a product or service) and promote the transition to a greener economy. The SDR regime includes a robust anti-greenwashing rule, sustainability investment labels (to help investors find products that have a specific sustainability goal), as well as comprehensive disclosure rules and naming and marketing rules for retail funds.

SDR - Consumer-facing Disclosure (CFD)

The CFD is an important component of the FCA’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR). It is a two-page document designed to help retail investors make informed decisions by providing a clear and concise overview of the sustainable features of funds that use a sustainability label, as well as funds that might not meet the criteria for a label, but nevertheless have certain sustainability-related characteristics.

SDR - Sustainability Focus

The Sustainability Focus Investment Label is one of four labels introduced under the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and labelling regime. This label is intended to indicate, and help investors find, products that invest mainly in assets that focus on sustainability for people or the planet.

SDR - Sustainability Impact

The Sustainability Impact Investment Label is one of four labels introduced under the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and labelling regime. This label is intended to indicate, and help investors find, products that invest mainly in solutions to sustainability problems, with an aim to achieve a positive impact for people or the planet.

SDR - Sustainability Improvers

The Sustainability Improvers Investment Label is one of four labels introduced under the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and labelling regime. This label is intended to indicate, and help investors find, products that may not invest in assets that are sustainable now, but which aim to improve their sustainability for people or the planet over time.

SDR - Sustainability Mixed Goals

The Sustainability Mixed Goals Investment Label is one of four labels introduced under the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and labelling regime. This label is intended to indicate, and help investors find, products that invest mainly in a mix of assets that either focus on sustainability, aim to improve their sustainability over time, or aim to achieve a positive impact for people or the planet.

Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions

The building blocks used to measure the carbon emissions and carbon intensity of a company. Under an international framework called the Greenhouse Gas Protocol these are divided into Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Scope 1 emissions are generated directly by the business (e.g. its facilities and vehicles). Scope 2 covers emissions caused by something a company uses (e.g. electricity). Scope 3 is the least reliable because it is the hardest to measure. It covers other indirect emissions generated by the products it produces (e.g. from people driving the cars a company makes).

Screened funds

Funds that use screens to exclude companies that do not meet their ethical criteria, ESG expectations, carbon intensity or controversy standards.

Social

The “S” in ESG. Investors analyse social risks and how these are managed. This includes a company’s treatment of its employees and its human rights record for other people outside the company (e.g. in the supply chain). It also refers to a company’s commercial opportunities in responding to changing consumer demands, policy changes or technology and innovation (e.g housing, education or healthcare).

Social bonds

Bonds issued to raise money for a socially useful purpose, such as education or affordable housing. Social bonds follow the standards set by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and appoint independent external reviewers to confirm the money raised will be used appropriately.

Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)

A form of ethical investment that attaches particular importance to avoiding harm to people or the planet, from the investments being made.

Stewardship

A catch-all term to describe the actions taken to look after our clients’ money. It commonly involves both engagement with companies, to develop a proper understanding of business developments, issues and potential concerns; and proxy voting to support or oppose issues at company general meetings.

Stranded assets

A variety of factors can lead to the risk of assets becoming stranded, such as new regulations or taxes (e.g. carbon taxes or changes in emission trading schemes) or changes in demand (e.g. impacts on fossil fuels, resulting from the shift towards renewable energy). Stranded assets risk having their value written down, impacting the value they have in a company’s accounts.

Sub-advisor

When one investment management company hires another investment management company to manage one of their funds, the hired company is the sub-advisor. Sub-advisors are sometimes used in responsible investment if they have specialist knowledge of this field that does not exist in-house.

Sustainability Accounting Standards Board

Often referred to as “SASB”, this is a non-profit organisation that sets standards for the sustainability information companies should communicate to their investors. It has produced 77 sets of industry-specific global standards. SASB looks for sustainability issues that are financially significant to a particular industry.

Sustainability risk

An environmental, social or governance risk that could hit the value of an investment.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A set of 17 policy goals set out by the United Nations, which aim for prosperity for all without harming people and the planet. Each goal has a number of targets. For example, Goal 2 is Zero Hunger and Target 2.3 is to double the productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. Companies can contribute to the SDGs by making products or services that help achieve at least one of the 17 goals.

Sustainable investing

Investing in a way that recognises the need for and supports balanced social, environmental and economic development for the long term.

T

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

The Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures was set up by the World Bank to help companies communicate their climate risks and opportunities and how they manage them. The TFCD sets out a framework for communicating how management considers climate risks, its strategy for responding to climate change, risk management arrangements and the types of risk covered. The TCFD says companies should, for example, explain how their business strategies would cope in different temperature scenarios. From 2022 companies listed on the UK stock market will have to follow the TCFD’s recommendations for disclosing climate risks.

EU SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation)

This forces funds to communicate how they integrate sustainability risk and consider adverse impacts. For funds promoting environmental or social characteristics or that are targeting sustainability objectives, additional information will need to be communicated.

The EU Taxonomy

Often called the “Green Taxonomy”. This is the EU’s system for deciding whether an investment is sustainable. Investments must contribute to one or more environmental objectives and meet the detailed criteria required for each activity or product that contributes to this. Investments must not do significant harm to any of the objectives. They must also meet minimum standards in business practices, labour standards, human rights, and governance.

Thematic investing

Researching global trends, or “themes”, to identify investments that will either benefit from changing needs or be impacted by them. Common themes are climate change and technological innovation. Often combined with sustainable investing, which looks at these trends but with an additional focus on the environmental or social implications of themes.

Transition risk

The potential risks faced by companies as society transitions towards alignment with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming. This is the risk that a company is so invested in certain incompatible operations and assets that it is uneconomical to transition to align with the Paris Agreement.

U

UN Global Compact (UNGC)

The world’s largest sustainability initiative. The UNGC sets out a framework based on Ten Principles for business strategies, policies and practices, designed to make businesses behave responsibly and with moral integrity. Companies can volunteer to sign the Compact, and can be struck off by the UN for breaking it. The Compact is commonly used by investors to assess how serious controversies are.

UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights

A framework for companies to prevent human rights abuses caused by their activities. Commonly used by investors to assess the severity of companies’ human rights failures.

23 July 2026

Responsible investment

Vicki Bakhshi

Climate Strategist

Security, supply and the energy transition

Geopolitical shocks have reframed the energy transition as a question of security as well as climate. As governments seek more resilient, affordable energy systems, long-term investors can find opportunities in the infrastructure powering the shift.

30 June 2026

Fixed income

Vicki Bakhshi

Climate Strategist

Paul Smillie

Senior Analyst, Investment grade credit

Rosalie Pinkney

Credit Research Analyst, Fixed Income

As UK flood risk grows, who is holding the risk?

UK flood risk is rising, raising urgent questions about who ultimately bears the financial cost. We assess the implications for investment managers.

30 April 2026

Responsible investment

Emma Lupton

Vice President, Responsible Investment

Is the world on track for a more sustainable future?

Understanding sustainability trends and the interactions between people and planet is fundamental to identifying future investment opportunities.

Important information

For marketing purposes. Your capital is at risk. Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. Not all services, products and strategies are offered by all entities of the group. Awards or ratings may not apply to all entities of the group.

This material should not be considered as an offer, solicitation, advice, or an investment recommendation. This communication is valid at the date of publication and may be subject to change without notice. Information from external sources is considered reliable but there is no guarantee as to its accuracy or completeness. Actual investment parameters are agreed and set out in the prospectus or formal investment management agreement.

In the UK: Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited, No. 573204 and/or Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited, No. 517895, both registered in England and Wales and authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In the EEA: Issued by Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A., registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés (Luxembourg), No. B 110242 and/or Columbia Threadneedle Netherlands B.V., regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), registered No. 08068841.

In Switzerland: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, Registered address: Claridenstrasse 41, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland.

In the Middle East: This document is distributed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments (ME) Limited, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For Distributors: This document is intended to provide distributors with information about Group products and services and is not for further distribution. For Institutional Clients: The information in this document is not intended as financial advice and is only intended for persons with appropriate investment knowledge and who meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as a Professional Client or Market Counterparties and no other Person should act upon it.

In Australia: Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414 and/or Columbia Threadneedle EM Investments Australia Limited [“CTEM”], ARBN 651 237 044. TIS and CTEM are exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act and relies on Class Order 03/1102 and 03/1099 respectively in marketing and providing financial services to Australian wholesale clients as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws. CTEM is authorised and regulated by the FCA under UK laws, which differ from Australian laws.

In Singapore: Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

In Japan: Columbia Threadneedle Investments Japan Co., Ltd. Financial Instruments Business Operator, The Director-General of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (FIBO) No.3281, and a member of Japan Investment Advisers Association.

In Hong Kong: Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司, Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE: AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058 and/or issued by Columbia Threadneedle AM (Asia) Limited, Unit 3004 Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 4 and Type 9 regulated activities (CE: ABA410). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 14954504.

Investing Responsibly at Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Powerful capabilities

Stewardship

Product solutions

Shaping the market

40+

250+

40 Yrs

A global centre of excellence

Sector and industry breadth

Research tools and frameworks

Related documents

Security, supply and the energy transition

As UK flood risk grows, who is holding the risk?

Is the world on track for a more sustainable future?

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