When selecting the funds that Sitra invests in, we evaluate responsible investment policy practices and process that managers apply. We expect the managers to have principles for responsible investment and that the fund managers integrate responsibility analyses into investment prosesses. We also appreciate if the fund managers are signatories to the PRI. ESG issues are regularly discussed with Sitra´s fund managers.
All of Sitra´s listed funds were screened during the spring 2019. The screening was outsourced, so it was done by an specialist within this field. Investments were screened by industries and also by breaches of international standards. Key findings of these screenings were discussed and analysed further with relevant fund managers. This screening excercice was also used as a benchmark for updating Sitra´s own guidelines for responsible investing. Specific sector/industry exclusions were added to the guidelines and also norm breaches will be regularly followed in the future. Sitra´s board approved the new guidelines that were introduced to the fund managers. There will be a 2 year transition period to the rules to be fully implemented.
Sitra carried out an ESG survey for the first time in autumn 2018. This questionnaire was developed internally and it was sent to all of our portfolio managers across different asset classes. As a continuum to this survey we provided the survey data for an university student who analysed it further as a part of a master´s thesis. Main outcomes of this thesis work were published on Sitra´s website.