The superannuation fund for South Australian Government employees, Super SA, has been awarded a Rainmaker’s ‘Environmental, Social and Governance’ (ESG) Leader Rating for 2022.
Honoured for appreciating the ESG principles to a high level while having a strong investment performance, Super SA was one of 32 super funds out of almost 120 to receive the rating from the financial researcher Rainmaker Information.
Welcoming the award, Chief Executive of Super SA, Dascia Bennett said the fund recognised ESG issues like climate change, worker safety, human rights, board diversity and independence that affect risk and investor returns.
“Investing in companies that actively manage these issues is prudent to deliver for members in the long-term,” Ms Bennett said.
“Companies that are aware of these risks and manage them effectively may provide investors with protection from systemic issues and reputational risks,” she said.
Chief Executive of Funds SA, Super SA’s investment manager Jo Townsend, said that by incorporating ESG factors into their investment practices, Funds SA was positioned to gain a broader view of a company’s sustainability priorities and long-term potential.
‘Our priority is delivering the strongest possible returns on investments while having proper regard to risks,” Ms Townsend said.
“We’re committed to doing this by combining traditional investment analysis with responsible investment strategies where appropriate,’ she said.
Rainmaker Information’s Executive Director of Research and Compliance, Alex Dunnin, said five core factors were considered when assessing the fund awards: Governance; Investment transparency; ESG reports; Investment processes, and Performance.
“Australia’s super funds are among the most committed in the world to implementing environmental, sustainability and governance principles into their investment practices,” Mr Dunnin said.
