Sustainable investing

Investors are increasingly considering how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues affect their investments, and how their investments can drive a positive impact. 

We’re proud to be a PRI Signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI), and we aspire to implement the six principles for responsible investment as we carry out our fiduciary duty for clients. 

We approach sustainable investing through three distinct lenses: 

Sustainability in manager research

For more than three decades, manager research has been the foundation of our investment management philosophy, and today, it underpins our sustainable investing capabilities.

Our approach to ESG research provides an in-depth analysis of each of our managers based on three broad sets of factors: profile, resources, and practices.

Sustainable investing solutions

We aim to bring dedicated sustainable investing solutions to our clients through mutual funds and customized solutions. 

We have a 20-year track record providing custom screening solutions to clients through separate accounts, enabling them to align their portfolios with their values by excluding investments in certain sectors or business practices. 

Today, we manage multiple values-aligned funds, and our manager research team has identified opportunities for clients focused on ESG integration and thematic and impact investing.

Investment stewardship

We use our voice—and our vote—to influence organizations to act in the best interests of our clients, including considering ESG issues in shareholder engagement and proxy voting. 

By participating in collaborative engagement activities in partnership with other asset managers and asset owners, we aim to amplify our own voice as a shareholder. Our engagement activity focuses on global norms and standards, as well as sustainability themes shaping the future of the global economy.

We’re members of Climate Action 100+, an investor-led initiative to engage companies whose businesses and operations have an opportunity to mitigate climate change and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Important Information

Sustainability guidelines may cause a manager to make or avoid certain investment decisions when it may be disadvantageous to do so. This means that these investments may underperform other similar investments that do not consider sustainability guidelines when making investment decisions. There can be no assurance goals will be met. If a product or strategy is subject to certain sustainable investment criteria it may avoid purchasing certain securities when it is otherwise economically advantageous to purchase those securities, or may sell certain securities when it is otherwise economically advantageous to hold those securities. Sustainability is not uniformly defined and scores and ratings may vary across providers. This document is based on information reported directly by signatories. Moreover, the underlying information has not been audited by the PRI or any other party acting on its behalf. While every effort has been made to produce a fair representation of performance, no representations or variations are made as to the accuracy of the information presented, and no responsibility or liability can be accepted for damage caused by use of or reliance on the information contained within the report. Additional reports and methodology can be found at: www.unpri.org. The 2021 Scorecard is expected to be released no later than June 2022.

SEI considers ESG factors as part of its Portfolio Manager Research and due diligence process including an evaluation of each Portfolio Manager's approach to integrating sustainability risk in its investment process; however, no minimum threshold has been established with respect to these capabilities in order for a firm to be hired as a Portfolio Manager.