This strategy has an above-average Morningstar Sustainability Rating of 4 globes, indicating that the ESG risk of holdings in its portfolio is relatively low compared with those of its peers in the Moderate Allocation category. ESG risk measures the degree to which material environmental, social, and governance issues, such as climate change, biodiversity, human capital, as well as bribery and corruption, could affect valuations. ESG risk differs from impact, which is about driving positive environmental and social outcomes for society’s benefit.
BlackRock Sustainable Balanced Fund has a sustainability or ESG-focused mandate. Funds with an ESG-focused mandate are more likely to align with the expectations of an investor who cares about sustainability issues. BlackRock Sustainable Balanced Fund has an asset-weighted Carbon Risk Score of 6.8, indicating that its companies have low exposure to carbon-related risks. These are risks associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy such as increased regulation, changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and stranded assets. Currently, the fund has 8.2% involvement in fossil fuels, which compares favorably with 11.1% for its average category peer. Companies are considered involved in fossil fuels if they derive some revenue from thermal coal, oil, and gas. Its 13.3% involvement in carbon solutions is higher than the 10.9% average involvement of its peers in the Moderate Allocation category. Carbon solutions include products and services related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, green transportation, and so on.
The fund aims to avoid or minimize holdings in companies breaching international norms, including the UN Global Compact or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
By prospectus, the fund aims to avoid, or limit its exposure to, companies associated with controversial weapons, tobacco, thermal coal, and and small arms. Yet this goal is far from achieved, as the fund exhibits 0.93%, 0.34%, and 0.39% exposure to controversial weapons, tobacco, and small arms, respectively. This compares with 0.88%, 0.53%, and 0.59% for its average peer in the Moderate Allocation category.
The fund exhibits moderate exposure (7.10%) to companies with high or severe controversies. Controversies are incidents that have a negative impact on stakeholders or the environment, which create some degree of financial risk for the company. Examples of types of controversies include bribery and corruption scandals, workplace discrimination and environmental incidents. Severe and high controversies can have significant financial repercussions, ranging from legal penalties to consumer boycotts. Such controversies can also damage the reputation of both companies themselves and their shareholders.