This fund has a Morningstar Sustainability Rating of 5 globes, indicating that the ESG risk of holdings in its portfolio is rather low relative to those of its peers in the Morningstar Target Date category. 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.
One key area of strength for Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2045 Fund is its low Morningstar Portfolio Carbon Risk Score of 6.11 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 aims to avoid, or limit exposure to, companies in violation with international norms, such as the UN Global Compact or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
One potential issue for a sustainability-focused investor is that Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2045 Fund doesn’t have an ESG-focused mandate. Funds with an ESG-focused mandate would have a higher probability to drive positive ESG outcomes.
By prospectus, the fund aims to avoid, or limit its exposure to, companies associated with controversial weapons, tobacco, and and thermal coal. The fund mostly fulfills this goal; however, it does exhibit 0.19% exposure to companies involved in thermal coal. This compares with 1.04% for its average peer in the Target Date category. The fund has a modest level of exposure (3.29%) 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.