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Fund Complex: SPDR Series
Management Company: SSGA FM
Funds Affected:  (1) SPDR Kensho Clean Power ETF, (2) SPDR MSCI Fossil Fuel Free ETF
Sustainable Investing Strategy:  (1) Thematic, (2) Thematic and exclusions
Summary:
(1) The fund invests in companies whose products and services are driving innovation behind clean power. These include companies that offer products and services related to manufacturing the technology for renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal), or are a necessary component of the supply chain for such products and services.

(2) Companies that are considered “fossil fuel reserves free,” are determined by the screening methodology used by the MSCI, the index provider.  Fossil fuel reserves are defined as proved and probable coal, oil and/or natural gas reserves used for energy purposes, but do not include metallurgical or coking coal, which is primarily used in connection with steel production.   Excluded are companies in the Energy Sector, Utilities Sector or Diversified Metals & Mining Sub-Industry, as classified by the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS), that own fossil fuel reserves. All other companies classified by GICS that own fossil fuel reserves and derive revenue from business segments associated with energy application of fossil fuels are also excluded.  Examples of business segments associated with energy application of fossil fuels include thermal coal mining, oil and gas exploration and production and downstream activities. For purposes of determining which companies are excluded, MSCI consults information disclosed by companies in sources including company publications, other public records, and third party data providers.

 

 

 

 

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Research

Research and analysis to keep sustainable investors up to-date on a broad range of topics that include trends and developments in sustainable investing and sustainable finance, regulatory updates, performance results and considerations, investing through index funds and actively managed portfolios, asset allocation updates, expenses, ESG ratings and data, company and product news, green, social and sustainable bonds, green bond funds as well as reporting and disclosure practices, to name just a few.

A continuously updated Funds Directory is also available to investors.  This is intended to become a comprehensive listing of sustainable mutual funds, ETFs and other investment products along with a description of their sustainable investing approaches as set out in fund prospectuses and related regulatory filings.

Getting started

Many questions have surfaced in recent years regarding sustainable and ESG investing.  Here, investors and financial intermediaries will find materials that describe the various approaches to sustainable investing and their implementation.  While sustainable investing approaches vary and they have thus far defied universally accepted definitions, many practitioners agree that they fall into the following broad categories:  Values-based investing, investing via exclusions, impact investing, thematic investments and ESG integration.  In conjunction with each of these approaches, investors may also adopt various issuer engagement procedures and proxy voting practices.  That said, sustainable investing approaches will continue to evolve.

In addition to periodic updates regarding sustainable investing and how this form of investing is evolving, investors and financial intermediaries interested in implementing a sustainable investing approach will also find source materials that cover basic investing themes as well as asset allocation tactics.

Inesting ideas

Thoughts and ideas targeting sustainable investing strategies executed through various registered and non-registered sustainable investment funds and products such as mutual funds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs), closed-end funds, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Unit Investment Trusts (UITs). Coverage extends to investment management firms as well as fund groups. 

Independent source for sustainable investment management company research, analysis, opinions and sustainable fund disclosure assessments