VanEck has unveiled the VanEck Vectors MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF (ESGI AU) on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), providing investors with global exposure to the stocks of companies with high socially responsible investment (SRI) characteristics.
Arian Neiron, managing director, VanEck Australia.
Arian Neiron, VanEck’s managing director and head of Asia Pacific, commented: “We are excited to launch an all-encompassing and true-to-label sustainable international equity fund, incorporating both values-based and impact investing on the ASX.”
The fund tracks the MSCI World ex Australia ex Fossil Fuel Select RSI and Low Carbon Capped index, which MSCI and VanEck developed in partnership.
The index is an SRI and ESG (environmental, social and governance) friendly subset of the broader MSCI World ex Australia Index, which excludes companies with fossil fuel reserves and whose businesses are involved in activities such as alcohol, gambling, tobacco, military weapons, civilian firearms, nuclear power, adult entertainment and genetically modified organisms.
Neiron further stated, “The ETF is a response to investor demand as investors are re-evaluating traditional investment approaches and are shifting their wealth into investments that reflect their personal values and that have a positive impact on society and future organisations.”
The new fund will have a yearly management cost of 0.55%.