Sustainability

Sustainability Report 2021–2022

We've worked to create a more sustainable future for our clients, colleagues and communities, whether through expanding our Sustainability & ESG team, or setting our path to operational net zero.

Our Commitment

We strive for sustainable practices from our colleagues, in our communities, and in our world. As such, we believe we should lead by example with our own corporate behavior. We have made commitments to act in a responsible and sustainable manner when conducting our own corporate activities.

“At Barings, we strive to act responsibly today to help deliver a sustainable tomorrow. Building a sustainable world for future generations requires constant evolution and long-term collaboration.”

Sarah Munday

Head of Sustainability & ESG

Focusing on What Matters

We believe that responsible practices are critical in building a sustainable world for future generations.

We are proud members of the United Nations Global Compact, as we believe the protection and preservation of human rights are fundamental and inform how we operate and manage our clients’ capital. Those principles guide our Social Impact efforts, influencing how we use our resources to invest in the communities in which we live and work. They have also helped shape our firm policies on respect, diversity and sustainability. And they are reflected in the expectations we set for our teams across the world.

We believe the decisions and commitments we make today will yield better outcomes for our clients, colleagues, community and planet. Working with all of our stakeholders, we are committed to investing in lasting change together.

Barings' Approach to Sustainability

Process

ESG integration is a core tenet of our research and investment process, giving us a more holistic understanding of the complex issues, risks and value drivers that may impact our clients' portfolios over time.

We believe in “doing well by doing good,” and think of our sustainability activities as a journey, not a destination. We strive for sustainable practices across all aspects of our organization—seeking to reduce our environmental footprint, foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment, and strengthen the communities in which we live, work and invest.

As an active investor and fiduciary, we believe in active stewardship and engagement with the companies in which we invest, and vote proxies on behalf of our advisory clients. We believe the most productive outcomes stem from strong relationships and deep knowledge.

AS A MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL COMPACT, WE SUPPORT THE UN’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS—A HELPFUL FRAMEWORK FOR HOW WE THINK ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY, AS WELL AS OUR OWN CORPORATE BEHAVIOR AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

Industry Partnerships

Dedicated Resources

Barings created a dedicated internal ESG Working Group that comprises over 25 professionals across the business to guide our process.

We engage an industry-leading external ESG research partner to supplement our rigorous internal research—which provides access to ESG ratings for over 6,400 companies, 11,800 issuers and 400,000 securities globally.

We have a dedicated Director of Sustainability, responsible for developing and overseeing the firm’s platform including ESG integration, partnerships and industry commitments, and employee education.