This fund has relatively low exposure to ESG risk compared with its peers in the Global Equity Large Cap category, earning it the second highest Morningstar Sustainability Rating of 4 globes. ESG risk provides investors with a signal that reflects to what degree their investments are exposed to risks related to material ESG issues, including climate change, biodiversity, product safety, community relations, data privacy and security, bribery and corruption, and corporate governance, that are not sufficiently managed. ESG risk differs from impact, which is about seeking positive environmental and social outcomes.
Northern Global Sustainability Index Fd 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. One key area of strength for Northern Global Sustainability Index Fd is its low Morningstar Portfolio Carbon Risk Score of 5.49 and very low fossil fuel exposure over the past 12 months, which earns it the Morningstar Low Carbon Designation. Thus, the companies held in the portfolio are in general alignment with the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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 0.27%, 0.15%, 0.12%, and 0.27% exposure to controversial weapons, tobacco, thermal coal, and small arms, respectively. This compares with 1.22%, 0.58%, 0.61%, and 0.96% for its average peer in the Global Equity Large Cap category.
The fund's 12.6% involvement in carbon solutions is roughly in line with the 11.7% average involvement of its peers in the Global Large-stock Blend category. Carbon solutions include products and services related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, green transportation, and so on. The fund has a modest level of exposure (8.38%) to companies with high or severe controversies. Companies with controversies are involved in incidents such as corruption, employee abuses, and that pose some degree of business risks to the company. Severe and high controversies can have significant financial repercussions, ranging from legal penalties to consumer boycotts. In addition, they controversies can damage the reputation of both companies themselves and their shareholders.