Supporting 14 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals

At Sanlam Investments, our purpose is rooted in our journey towards long-term sustainability for South African investors, future generations, our economy and our planet. Sustainability lies at the heart of our DNA; this means we measure our success by the positive impact we have on people, communities and planet. Our ambition is to make a real, sustainable difference to all communities across South Africa. For this reason we directly support 14 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development goals (SDGs), for which strict ESG criteria and measurables are applied, and indirectly with SDG 2, 15 and 16.

1. No Poverty
Four of our funds support the UN’s goal to end poverty of all kinds. These include our Resilient Investment Fund and our Investors’ Legacy funds range, incorporating our SME Debt, Corporate Debt and mid-market Private Equity funds.

3. Good Health and Well-Being
Our Investors’ Legacy Private Equity fund aligns fully with this goal to promotes health and well-being for all ages and across all population groups and genders.

4. Quality Education
Our Resilient (impact) fund fully supports this goal and aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education for all, as well as lifelong learning opportunities for all population groups.

5. Gender Equality
Our two emerging markets capabilities (Climate Investor One and Climate Investor Two funds) both support the achievement of gender equality and empowering all women and girls. This applies to opportunities in the workplace and more broadly to end gender-based violence.

6. Clean Water and Sanitation
Our Sustainable Infrastructure fund and emerging market Climate Investor Two fund both aim to achieve greater access to safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, reduced water pollution, increased water-use and water resource efficiency, as well as protecting those ecosystems dependent on water.

7. Affordable and Clean Energy
Our Resilient (impact) fund, Sustainable Infrastructure fund, as well as Climate Investor One and Climate Investor Two funds support this important goal. Almost 800 million people lack access to electricity and a third of the population uses dangerous cooking systems. This puts into perspective the importance of this goal in ensuring affordable, reliable and sustainable access to energy.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth (WE CALL IT ‘JOB CREATION’)
Five of our funds align with this critical SDG, particularly in the context of the recent Covid-19 pandemic and the joblessness and unemployment it resulted in. Creating and preserving jobs in a post-Covid South Africa has therefore never attracted greater focus than it does now.

9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Our Resilient (impact) fund, Sustainable Infrastructure fund, as well as Climate Investor One and Climate Investor Two funds support this SDG. Sustainable and innovative infrastructure development, such as renewable energy, conventional energy, transportation and roads, communication, water and waste-related assets all have a positive long-term impact on the development of our local economy.

10. Reduced Inequalities
5 of our funds support the UN’s goal to reduce inequalities, including improved living conditions, access to clean and affordable water, and alleviating poverty. These are our Resilient Impact Fund, our Investors Legacy SME Debt Fund, Investors Legacy Private Equity Fund, South African SME Debt Fund (managed on behalf of the EPPF) and the 104+ SMME Solutions Fund.

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
Our Resilient (Impact) and Sustainable Infrastructure funds align with this SDG, which promotes the development of safer, more sustainable cities and human settlements. We do this by providing access to affordable housing, educational facilities, roads and transportation, and by protecting the poorer, more vulnerable segments of our society.

12. Responsible Consumption and Production
Our emerging market Climate Investor Two fund supports this important SDG by promoting sustainable consumption and production practices, and by aiming to reduce climate change and combat negative environmental impacts.

13. Climate Action (Ie Climate Fund Managers)
Our Resilient (impact) fund, Sustainable Infrastructure fund, as well as Climate Investor One and Climate Investor Two funds support this SDG.
The fight against climate change is a critical goal as we battle ever-rising greenhouse gas emissions, average global temperature increases, and declining biodiversity, which are all negative results of climate change.

14. Life Below Water (Climate Fund Managers)
Climate Investor Two funds support this SDG through its initiatives and partnerships to conserve and promote responsible consumption and production practices to preserve our oceans, seas and marine life. This includes preventing marine pollution, protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, and more.

17. Partnership for the Goals
Our two emerging markets capabilities (Climate Investor One and Climate Investor Two funds) both support this goal measurably by developing strong partnership and raising private investor capital to achieve many of the UNs SDGs. At Sanlam Investments, we fully embrace partnerships and we have entered into strategic partnerships with both Robeco and Dutch Development Bank, FMO, to further our sustainability agenda.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]