If you can help save the planet while achieving your financial objectives – why not?

Explore how the Sanlam Living Planet Fund, in partnership with WWF, delivers robust returns while reducing carbon emissions and driving impact.

In today’s investment landscape, where sustainability and financial performance are almost equally scrutinised, there’s a critical case to be made for principle-led investing.  When you invest with impact it helps protect the planet while you earn returns that support reaching not only your financial objectives but also your sustainability goals. The Sanlam Living Planet Fund, in partnership with WWF, shows this synergy in action; it continues to garner robust financial returns, while achieving 50% lower carbon emissions than the benchmark.

Cerin Maduray, Finance Sector Specialist at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), adds, “Our approach proves that responsible investing does not mean sacrificing profitability. In fact, integrating ESG principles can enhance both financial performance and social outcomes.

“Our Living Planet Fund has saved over 3 000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the last 12 months, compared to the benchmark, with significantly reduced resource usage.”

The Sanlam Living Planet Fund’s key highlights

• Environmental efficiency: The fund’s carbon emissions are 50% lower than those of the benchmark, and its resource usage is significantly reduced.
• Environmental impact measurement and analysis: The fund tracks its carbon emissions as well as other data points around water, waste and pollution.
• Social impact: The integration of ESG factors extends beyond environmental considerations to include social aspects, ensuring a holistic approach to sustainable investing.

Partnerships are pivotal

A cornerstone of Sanlam Investments Multi-Manager’s success with this fund is its strategic partnership with WWF. This collaboration combines financial expertise with environmental stewardship, significantly enhancing the fund’s ability to scale and maximise its impact. By working together, Sanlam and WWF ensure that investments are not only financially sound but also contribute positively to the environment and society.

“Partnerships are crucial in driving sustainable finance,” Maduray adds. “Sanlam Investments’ collaboration with WWF South Africa brings unparalleled environmental insight and credibility, enabling us to invest more effectively in companies that are leading in sustainability. This synergy allows us to amplify our impact, ensuring that our investment strategies are both responsible and highly effective.”

The fund’s approach goes beyond merely excluding companies with poor ESG practices; it actively seeks out and invests in businesses that demonstrate strong commitments to sustainability. This proactive strategy ensures that the fund not only mitigates risks but also capitalises on opportunities that arise from the global shift towards sustainable development.

Maduray adds, “We actively seek out other opportunities in the market such as renewable energy options and sustainable infrastructure funds. We see this as a critical part of building a better future for everyone. The fund is well diversified across different geographies, asset classes and fund managers, so it makes a strong investment and sustainability case, bringing all the tools together.”

In an era where ESG-themed assets are under pressure, the Sanlam Living Planet Fund demonstrates that impact investing can consistently deliver comparable returns to traditional investments. The firm’s approach proves that financial success and positive impact can go hand in hand.

Maduray concludes, “We’re entering a new era of ESG maturity where it makes sound financial sense to invest with your head – and your heart.”

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Disclosure

Sanlam Multi Manager International (Pty) Ltd is approved as a Discretionary Financial Service Provider in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002.

Sanlam Investments consists of the following authorised Financial Services Providers: Sanlam Investment Management (Pty) Ltd (“SIM”), Sanlam Multi Manager International (Pty) Ltd (“SMMI”), Satrix Managers (RF) (Pty) Ltd, Graviton Wealth Management (Pty) Ltd (“GWM”), Graviton Financial Partners (Pty) Ltd (“GFP”), Satrix Investments (Pty) Ltd, Amplify Investment Partners (Pty) Ltd (“Amplify”), Sanlam Africa Real Estate Advisor Pty Ltd (“SAREA”) and Absa Alternative Asset Management (Pty) Ltd (“AAM”); and has the following approved Management Companies under the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act: Sanlam Collective Investments (RF) (Pty) Ltd (“SCI”), Satrix Managers (RF) (Pty) Ltd (“Satrix”) and Absa Fund Managers (RF) (Pty) Ltd. Sanlam is a full member of ASISA. Please note that past performances are not necessarily an accurate determination of future performances, and that the value of investments/collective investment units/unit trusts may go down as well as up.

Collective investment schemes are generally medium- to long-term investments. Please note that past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and that the value of investments /units/unit trusts may go down as well as up. A schedule of fees and charges and maximum commissions is available from the Manager, Sanlam Collective Investments (RF) Pty Ltd. Additional information of the proposed investment, including brochures, application forms and annual or quarterly reports, can be obtained from the Manager, free of charge. Collective investments are traded at ruling prices and can engage in borrowing and scrip lending. The Manager does not provide any guarantee either with respect to the capital or the return of a portfolio. The fund may from time to time invest in foreign countries and therefore it may have risks regarding liquidity, the repatriation of funds, political and macroeconomic situations, foreign exchange, tax, settlement, and the availability of information. The Manager has the right to close any portfolios to new investors to manage them more efficiently in accordance with their mandates.

The information in this article does not constitute financial advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the reasonableness and accuracy of the information contained in this document (“the information”), the FSPs, their shareholders, subsidiaries, clients, agents, officers and employees do not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or suitability of the information and shall not be held responsible and disclaim all liability for any loss, liability and damage whatsoever suffered as a result of or which may be attributable, directly or indirectly, to any use of or reliance upon the information.