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 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.
AB Sustainable International Thematic 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 AB Sustainable International Thematic Fd is its low Morningstar Portfolio Carbon Risk Score of 6.26 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.
The fund has no exposure to 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.
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 3.0% exposure to tobacco. This compares with 0.6% for its average peer in the Global Equity Large Cap category.
The fund's 6.0% involvement in carbon solutions is roughly in line with the 6.9% average involvement of its peers in the Foreign Large Growth category. Carbon solutions include products and services related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, green transportation, and so on.