Fund Complex: PIMCO Funds
Management Company: Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO)
Funds Affected: (1) PIMCO Low Duration Fund ESG and PIMCO Total Return Fund, (2) PIMCO Climate Bond Fund
Sustainable Investing Strategy: (1) ESG integration, negative screening (exclusions), engagement, (2) Thematic investing, negative screening (exclusions), engagement
Summary:
(1) Effective 6 January 2017 the funds adopted a set of exclusionary practices, an ESG integration strategy and issuer engagement approach to improve ESG practices. The funds will not invest in the securities of any issuer determined to be engaged principally in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or military equipment, the operation of gambling casinos, the production of coal, or in the production or trade of pornographic materials. In addition, the funds will not invest in the securities of any issuer determined to be engaged principally in the provision of healthcare services or the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, unless the issuer derives 100% of its gross revenues from products or services designed to protect and improve the quality of human life, as determined on the basis of available information. To the extent possible on the basis of available information, an issuer will be deemed to be principally engaged in an activity if it derives more than 10% of its gross revenues from such activities. In addition, the funds will not invest directly in securities of issuers that are engaged in certain business activities in or with the Republic of the Sudan.
The funds may avoid investment in the securities of issuers whose business practices with respect to the environment, social responsibility, and governance (ESG) are not to PIMCO’s satisfaction. In determining the efficacy of an issuer’s ESG practices, PIMCO will use its own proprietary assessments of material ESG issues and may also reference standards as set forth by recognized global organizations such as entities sponsored by the United Nations.
PIMCO may engage proactively with issuers to encourage them to improve their ESG practices. PIMCO’s activities in this respect may include, but are not limited to, direct dialogue with company management, such as through in-person meetings, phone calls, electronic communications, and letters. Through these engagement activities, PIMCO seeks to identify opportunities for a company to improve its ESG practices, and will endeavor to work collaboratively with company management to establish concrete objectives and to develop a plan for meeting these objectives. The funds may invest in securities of issuers whose ESG practices are currently suboptimal, with the expectation that these practices may improve over time either as a result of PIMCO’s engagement efforts or through the company’s own initiatives. It may also exclude those issuers that are not receptive to PIMCO’s engagement efforts, as determined in PIMCO’s sole discretion.
(2) The fund invests opportunistically in a broad spectrum of climate focused instruments and debt from issuers demonstrating leadership with respect to addressing climate related factors. Given the long term nature of the risks and opportunities presented by climate change and resource depletion, PIMCO may emphasize investment strategies that are more strategic, or long-term in nature, with less emphasis on short-term, tactical trading strategies.
The fund’s investments ordinarily include labeled and unlabeled “green” bonds, as well as the debt of issuers demonstrating leadership in addressing risk and opportunities around climate related change. Labeled green bonds are those issues with proceeds specifically earmarked to be used for climate and environmental projects. Labeled green bonds are often verified by a third party, which certifies that the bond will fund projects that include environmental benefits. Unlabeled green bonds or climate-aligned bonds are securities with proceeds used for climate-aligned projects and initiatives but are issued without formal certifications. When considering whether an issuer has demonstrated leadership in addressing risk and opportunities around climate related change, PIMCO may consider a variety of factors, such as whether an issuer provides low carbon solutions, has implemented or prepared a transition plan to a low carbon economy or such other factors that PIMCO may determine are relevant.
When considering an investment, PIMCO may utilize the following resources, among others, to evaluate climate related factors: PIMCO’s internal research and scoring process relating to climate factors, third party research and data providers, an issuer’s alignment with international commitments deemed relevant by PIMCO (such as the 2016 Paris Agreement on climate change), and/or information made available by the issuer, such as carbon emissions and intensity. In determining the efficacy of an issuer’s environmental practices, PIMCO will use its own proprietary assessments of material environmental and climate-oriented issues and may also reference standards as set forth by recognized global organizations, such as entities sponsored by the United Nations.
The fund may avoid investment in the securities of issuers whose business practices with respect to climate specific factors do not meet criteria established by PIMCO. Additionally, PIMCO may engage proactively with issuers to encourage them to improve their environmental practices or preparations for a low carbon economy. PIMCO’s activities in this respect may include, but are not limited to, direct dialogue with company management, such as through in-person meetings, phone calls, electronic communications and letters. Through these engagement activities, PIMCO will seek to identify opportunities for a company to improve its climate focused practices and will endeavor to work collaboratively with company management to establish concrete objectives and to develop a plan for meeting these objectives. The fund has flexibility to invest in securities of issuers whose climate-related practices are currently suboptimal, with the expectation that these practices may improve over time either as a result of PIMCO’s engagement efforts or through the company’s own initiatives. The fund may exclude those issuers that are not receptive to PIMCO’s engagement efforts, as determined in PIMCO’s sole discretion.
The fund will not invest in the securities of any issuer determined by PIMCO to be engaged principally in the fossil fuel-related sectors, including distribution/retail, equipment and services, extraction and production, petrochemicals, pipelines and transportation and refining, and the production or distribution of coal and coal fired generation. The fund may invest in the securities of issuers determined by PIMCO to be engaged principally in biofuel production, natural gas generation and sales and trading activities. Moreover, the fund will not invest in the securities of any issuer determined by PIMCO to be engaged principally in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or military equipment, the operation of gambling casinos, or in the production or trade of pornographic materials. To the extent possible on the basis of information available to PIMCO, an issuer will be deemed to be principally engaged in an activity if it derives more than 10% of its gross revenues from such activities. However, green labeled bonds from issuers involved in fossil fuel-related sectors, as defined above, may be permitted
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