Gender lens equity investing developed from a substantive body of research demonstrating the financial, risk management, decision-making, and other corporate benefits of higher levels of women in leadership (WIL). In our coverage universe at Parallelle Finance, 27 gender lens global and regional equity funds are available to individual investors. Their assets under management (AUM) totaled $3.47 billion as of 30 June 2021, reflecting a growth rate of 32% during the first half of 2021.
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Infographic #1: A Gender Lens in ESG Investing
How can ESG investments incorporate a gender lens? As standard setting bodies vie for leadership in ESG reporting standards, there has been a focus on the materiality of ESG metrics by company and industry. Proposed ESG standards tend to focus on metrics with material impact, defined as able to be measured and documented, on financial performance or risk at the company or industry level.
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Gender Lens + ESG Investment Criteria
As a thematic environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment strategy, gender lens investment vehicles tend to incorporate two pillars of ESG. By definition gender lens investments cover the G of ESG, relationships with internal stakeholders. Our research shows that many gender lens vehicles also incorporate a focus on the S, relationships with external stakeholders. E, – to varied degrees. In Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Pillars in Gender Lens Investing, we explore how gender lens equity funds can also incorporate the E, impact of products and services on the environment and climate change risk.
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Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Pillars in Gender Lens Investing (GLI)
Gender lens investing (GLI) is seen as a thematic environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment strategy. Within GLI, global and regional gender lens equity funds grew from a wide body of research demonstrating the performance and other benefits of higher women in leadership (WIL). How well do gender lens equity funds reflect an ESG approach? By definition, the WIL investment philosophy captures the G of ESG, relationships with internal stakeholders. Our analysis shows that many GLI funds and indexes also capture an element of the S, relationships with external stakeholders, through a focus on supplier diversity, human rights exclusions, and product safety.
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Q2 2021 Review
Gender Lens Investing Q2 2021 Review examines the second quarter 2021 performance and composition of gender lens equity funds, expands our coverage of diversity, equity, & inclusion funds, offers an update on gender lens fixed income activity and explores the dynamics shaping publicly available gender lens investing.
Including A Country Analysis.
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Q2 2021 Gender Lens Fixed Income Overview
There is a growing array of private and public gender lens fixed income (GLFI) funds and products. Our coverage universe includes U.S. and emerging markets funds, private financial institution bond issues, DFI-backed bonds, DFI-issued bonds, U.S. notes and certificates, and a lending platform. A global emerging markets fund is pending launch. As of June 30, total AUM of gender lens fixed income funds and vehicles was US$7.71 billion.
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