In a fast changing world, our focus is on achieving long-term sustainable returns for our clients. In line with this, BNP Paribas Asset Management ("BNPP AM") is committed to integrating sustainable investment practices across all our strategies. We believe this is in the financial interest of our clients, and of the economy at large. This commitment incorporates two key components:
First, our full range of investment strategies will adopt a sustainable investment approach. This means that they will integrate the key elements of sustainable investment: comprehensive research and integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors; investor stewardship; responsible business conduct and product-based exclusions; and extensive reporting
Second, we will adopt firm-wide targets for measuring and progressively aligning our investment portfolios with a sustainable future, bolstered by strong stewardship activity. We have a formal process in place to achieve this ambition.
This is not currently applied to all client mandates. In 2020, this has become the default approach for new mandates, and we will approach existing clients to seek their approval to apply the policy to existing mandates.