UniSuper cornerstones Green Bond issue
Universities-based industry fund UniSuper has become a cornerstone investor in the World Bank's first Green Bond issue into the Australian market.
The fund said its $100 million investment would boost the green credentials of UniSuper's Socially Responsible Balanced option.
World Bank Green Bonds are debt securities issued to support ‘green' projects (for example climate solutions) while at the same time alleviating poverty and improving local economies in the developing world. The projects focus on delivering measurable social and environmental benefits.
Commenting on the investment, UniSuper manager, governance and sustainable investment, Talieh Williams said members were already accessing portfolios that focused on environmental and social concerns through UniSuper's SR and Global Environmental Opportunities (GEO) options.
She said the fund was now including green bonds in the SR Balanced option as part of refining its SR approach and to also better satisfy member expectations.
"This AAA-rated high quality bond investment is designed for members that want to drive positive environmental and social outcomes," she said. "By harnessing UniSuper's $40 billion in net funds under management and executing the deal with our expert internal investment team, we reduce investment manager costs to directly benefit our members."
AUTHOR
Mike Taylor
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