This strategy holds securities with low exposure to ESG risk relative to those of its peers in the Morningstar Target Date category, earning it the highest Morningstar Sustainability Rating of 5 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.
BlackRock LifePath ESG Index 2050 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 LifePath ESG Index 2050 Fund has an asset-weighted Carbon Risk Score of 7.5, 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. Its 15.9% involvement in carbon solutions is higher than the 12.7% average involvement of its peers in the Target-date 2050 category. Carbon solutions include products and services related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, green transportation, and so on.
By prospectus, the fund aims to avoid, or limit its exposure to, companies associated with controversial weapons, tobacco, and and small arms. Yet this goal is far from achieved, as the fund exhibits 1.09%, 0.14%, and 0.71% exposure to controversial weapons, tobacco, and small arms, respectively. This compares with 1.17%, 0.55%, and 0.77% for its average peer in the Target Date category.
Currently, the fund has 7.7% involvement in fossil fuels, which is roughly in line with 9.4% 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 exhibits moderate exposure (6.24%) 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.