Environmental and social responsibility

In matters related to social and environmental responsibility, the Fund's principles for engagement, action and demands for change are based on the same set of values applied by Swedish Government, in which the central aspects are democracy, the equal value of all people, the freedom and dignity of individuals and sustainable development.

The companies in which the Fund has holdings are expected to give consideration to the environmental impact of their operations. This means being aware and taking relevant measures to reduce the direct and indirect environmental impact of their operations over the entire product life cycle.

The companies should also respect human rights and the International Labour Organization's core conventions. This means among other things that the Fund does not accept discriminatory practices or treatment, forced labour, child labour or restriction of freedom of association. The Fund also expects the companies to ensure safe working condition in both their own production units and those of the company's subcontractors.

Based on these expectations, the Fund conducts discussions with a number of companies, both Swedish and foreign. In environmental and social issues related to foreign companies, Första AP-fonden cooperates with the Second, Third and Fourth AP funds through the Ethical Council.