BetaShares has had its Australian Sustainability Leaders ETF recognised by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) certification program.
BetaShares chief executive officer, Alex Vynkour, said assets in the FAIR fund, the company’s second ethical product to be certified, are approaching $100 million as at the end of March.
“The program has been valuable in helping Australian investors make confident decisions about accessing transparent, sustainable options in Australia,” said Vynkour.
Vynkour said demand for sustainable investing products in Australia was on the rise as Australian investors, particularly millennials, were prioritising environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in their decision making.
To become certified, BetaShares demonstrated that investors were given access to detailed information about how the Fund factors in ESG and ethical issues in its investment process.
FAIR underwent a strict screening process that included the removal of companies involved in the fossil fuel industry as well as those exposed to negative ESG activities, like gambling, tobacco and armaments.
FAIR also does not invest in any of the big four banks or large mining companies, and applies a unique gender diversity screen, which requires a minimum level of female representation at a company’s board level.
