The ESG risk of Inspire 100 ETF's holdings is comparable to its peers in the US Equity Large Cap Blend category, thus earning an average Morningstar Sustainability Rating of 3 globes. Funds in the same category rated 4 or 5 globes tend to hold securities less exposed to ESG risk. Unlike impact, which measures positive environmental and societal outcomes attributable to an investment, ESG risk reflects the degree to which investments could be affected by material ESG issues, including climate change, biodiversity, product safety, community relations, data privacy and security, bribery and corruption, and corporate governance.
Based on its latest prospectus, sustainability or ESG factors are a focus in the investment process of Inspire 100 ETF. Funds with ESG-focused mandates are more likely to deliver positive sustainability outcomes. Inspire 100 ETF has an asset-weighted Carbon Risk Score of 9.5, 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. By prospectus, the fund aims to avoid or minimize holdings in companies associated with tobacco, and as expected, the fund does not currently invest in such companies. 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.
Currently, the fund has 10.4% involvement in fossil fuels, which is roughly in line with 8.5% for its average category peer. Companies are considered involved in fossil fuels if they derive some revenue from thermal coal, oil, and gas. The fund's 12.2% involvement in carbon solutions is roughly in line with the 13.1% average involvement of its peers in the Large Blend category. Carbon solutions include products and services related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, green transportation, and so on. The fund exhibits moderate exposure (5.99%) 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.