HomeAbout us Responsible investment

Responsible Investment

Our commitment and focus

Read more

Responsible Investment Framework and Governance Structure

Read more

How we integrate ESG factors into decision-making

Read more

ESG Thought Leadership

Read more

Our commitment and focus


Serving our clients’ long-term financial interests

At the core of our investment practices is a drive to serve our clients’ long-term financial interests by demonstrating good citizenship in the countries in which we operate and invest, as well as those countries that may be affected by our investments.

discilined

We believe that we will make the best possible investment decisions on behalf of our clients by incorporating material environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into our investment processes. This belief is core to our business. At the same time, we believe that there is no universal approach to Responsible Investment. At Eastspring, our investment teams are empowered to integrate ESG considerations into their investment processes and philosophies, as appropriate.

We recognise that sustainable investing requires a patient approach and an understanding that changes in corporate behaviour can support shareholder value over time. We firmly believe that companies that adopt sustainable business practices are more likely to deliver superior shareholder value in the long-term and, where appropriate, we encourage ongoing improvement through an ongoing and collaborative dialogue.

We believe that companies are more likely to prosper if they minimise their environmental impact; treat employees, customers and workers in their supply chains fairly and with respect; and act responsibly within their communities and toward their shareholders. However, we also look beyond companies and use our insights to inform our investment decisions in Government bonds which are included in instruments across various asset classes.

discilined

Our culture and values underpin our stewardship commitment to our clients. We understand that in managing our clients’ assets, we have been granted a social licence to operate. Maintaining this licence means that we need to ensure that our clients continue to have confidence in our investment capabilities and that we always put their interests at the heart of our business. Striving for the highest degree of transparency that we can achieve ensures that we are held accountable and, therefore, operate with honesty and integrity in our work on our client’s behalf.

In the latter half of 2019, we conducted an exhaustive exercise to determine our organisation’s purpose. Through extensive consultation with colleagues and other stakeholders, Responsible Investment frequently came out as a key driver behind what we do. Our purpose – Experts in Asia. Invested in Your Future. – highlights our firm commitment to securing the long-term future of our stakeholders. We are not just focused on investing, but also ‘invested in’ and committed to,your future. And that means the future of everyone: Our clients, our colleagues, our partners, our shareholders and our community. To be truly ‘Invested in your future’ we must be completely committed to Responsible Investment, so that we can fulfil our promise.

As a signatory to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment. We are demonstrating not just our commitment to Responsible Investment, but our desire to become leaders in the field in Asia.

Responsible Investment Framework and Governance Structure

At Eastspring, we have wide-ranging investment expertise and diverse investment approaches – and so work under the premise that there is not a single, universal approach to Responsible Investment.

All investment teams are informed by our Responsible Investment Standards, including ESG, Stewardship, Proxy Voting and Best Execution. Each asset class and investment strategy has its own unique characteristics, and investment teams are empowered to own their approach to ESG integration and engagement. All investment professionals are also responsible for incorporating all factors deemed to impact the investment decision making process.

Supporting each of these approaches is an overarching Responsible Investment Framework and Governance Structure, which informs our Responsible Investment Standards and associated policies.

Our parent company, Prudential Plc

As a life insurer, asset owner and manager, we are long-term stewards of our customers’ assets. We have a responsibility to our customers, the communities and environment in which we operate, to apply ESG considerations into our investment decisions and our fiduciary and stewardship duties.

ESG is overseen by the Board, which is responsible for determining strategy and prioritisation of key focus areas. At the board level, the Responsibility & Sustainability Working Group has been established. They will oversee the embedding of the Group’s ESG framework and progress on diversity and inclusion initiatives and employee engagement activities.

In order to provide greater senior executive involvement and holistic oversight of ESG matters material to the Group, in 2020 a Group ESG Committee was established, superseding the previous ESG Executive Committee. As with other ESG matters, responsible investment activity is overseen by the Group ESG Committee. Operational responsibility for responsible investment activity is delegated to the Group Responsible Investment Advisory Committee (GRIAC). The GRIAC is constituted as a sub-committee of the Group ESG Committee and provides a forum for Group and business units to consider responsible investment approaches.

For more information, visit Prudential plc’s ESG home page and read the 2020 ESG Report.

Eastspring Investments

The Eastspring Executive Management Committee (EMC) drives and oversees the day-to-day operation of the firm globally. Eastspring Investments Sustainability Steering Committee, chaired by the Chief Executive Officer, Eastspring Investments Group, is designated responsibility by the Board of Directors of Eastspring Investments (Singapore) Group Pte Limited to oversee Sustainability and Responsible Investment activities. It oversees four Sustainability workstreams, comprising of cross-functional representation across our business, that collaborate to build capacity, make progress in priority areas, and facilitate ongoing continuous improvement towards our own Sustainability ambitions.

The Eastspring Responsible Investment Working Group (ERIWG) comprises of representatives across Eastspring Investments Local Business Units (LBUs). It assists in implementing our Responsible Investment Framework. In turn, locally-represented Responsible Investment Committees are formed, as needed, to discuss practical and operational issues encountered in the application of the investment teams' policies.

We are committed to an ongoing process of improving our approach to integrating ESG into our investment processes. Our policies will evolve over time to reflect changes in business practices, structures, technology, and the law.

At Eastspring Investments, Responsible Investing principles drive our asset management practice. Responsible Investment includes the explicit incorporation of relevant ESG issues into every aspect of our activities as an investor – both before we make investment decisions and during the time we hold an investment. We seek to identify and take account of these issues into our investment decision-making processes and in the way we conduct stewardship activities.

Eastspring Investments is a signatory to:
  • United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)

    The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

    not found image not found image not found image not found image not found image not found image

    Developed by investors, for investors, the six Principles for Responsible Investment are a voluntary and aspirational set of investment principles that offer a menu of possible actions for incorporating ESG issues into investment practice. When implemented, it allows signatories to contribute to developing a more sustainable global financial system.

Eastspring Investments (Malaysia) is a signatory to:
  • Malaysia Code for Institutional Investors (MCII)

    The Malaysian Code for Institutional Investors (MCII) was launched jointly by the Securities Commission Malaysia and Minority Shareholders Watch Group (MSWG) on 27 June 2014. This initiative was one of the recommendations of the Corporate Governance (CG) Blueprint 2011 for the formulation of an industry-wide code that is expected to strengthen the accountability of institutional investors to their own member and investors.

Eastspring Investments (Malaysia) is a member of:
  • Institutional Investors Council Malaysia (IICM)

    The Institutional Investors Council Malaysia (IICM) was formed on 3 July 2015 following the launch of the Malaysian Code of Institutional Investors (MCII) on 27 June 2014. The IICM is envisaged to play an important role to represent the common interests of institutional investors in Malaysia.

How we integrate ESG factors into decision-making

  1. Equity
  2. Fixed income

Thought Leadership Series: Searching for a Climate Solution

Searching for a Climate Solution Part 1:
A Short Primer on the Stakes and Prospects for Glasgow

banner

Searching for a Climate Solution Part 2:
Handicapping Glasgow—Major challenges vs. Five Winds of Change

banner

ESG Thought Leadership

See all