Objectives and Approach

The Fund aims to achieve a return over the long term (5 years or more) consisting of investment growth and some income, achieved through investment in companies that are positively exposed to sustainable themes through their products and services, as well as those with strong or improving environmental, social and governance (ESG) characteristics. The Fund is actively managed, and invests at least 75% of its assets in shares of companies domiciled in the UK, or which have significant UK business operations. The Fund focusses on selecting companies delivering sustainable outcomes or progressing towards the delivery of sustainable outcomes, as outlined in the Fund’s Sustainable Investment Guidelines, available on our website or upon request. Those companies will offer products and services aligned to the Fund’s sustainable themes, or demonstrate leadership on sustainability issues through strong ESG practices. On occasion, the Fund may invest in other securities and collective investment schemes (including funds managed by Columbia Threadneedle companies) and may hold money market instruments, deposits, cash and near cash. The Fund is not permitted to invest in derivatives for investment purposes, but they may be held with the aim of reducing risk or managing the Fund more efficiently. Columbia Threadneedle Investments is a signatory to the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and has committed to an ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner for a range of assets, including the Fund. As such, the Investment Manager will proactively engage with companies to assist with progressing this and may disinvest from those not meeting the minimum standards. The Fund does not invest in companies whose primary business is the exploration, production and commercialisation of fossil fuels, that derive over 5% revenue from thermal coal mining, or that are involved in the new development of thermal coal extraction or power generation facilities. However, the Investment Manager may invest in companies that do not satisfy this exclusion criteria if it can evidence that these companies are, for example, phasing out their fossil fuel exposure and have strong climate transition plans underpinned by robust emissions reduction targets.