SDG Engagement Equity: 2020 Annual Report | Sustainability

Will Pomroy, Lead Engager, Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity

Hamish Galpin, Lead Manager, Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity

9 April 2021| Recent thinking

Launched in January 2018, the Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund has the dual purpose of delivering attractive returns and measurable real-world impact.

Companies are increasingly aware of, and contributing towards, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through evolving business models, more thoughtful employment practices and innovative product offerings and reporting. This is very encouraging, and in our dialogue with companies, we can see growing interest. For the more advanced companies, ambitions are being raised; those at an earlier point in their journey are investing time and resources at pace.

In a normal year, this would provide encouragement that the attainment of the goals was growing more likely. This past year, however, has not been normal.

Very sadly, Covid-19 has resulted in over two million deaths and significant economic difficulty. The World Bank estimates that the number of coronavirus-induced ‘new poor’ in 2020 rose to between 119 and 124 million¹, with 62 million falling into extreme poverty globally. For the first time in 20 years, poverty is likely to significantly increase. It is right that we play our part in helping to build back better.

In our 2020 Annual Report, we reflect on how we target both traditional financial performance goals and positive and environmental change by engaging with companies to help deliver the SDGs. What progress did we achieve over the last year? And how has the Fund fared since its inception?

SDG Engagement Equity: Annual Report

Nothing in this document constitutes a solicitation or offer to any person to buy or sell any related securities or financial instruments. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and targets are not guaranteed.

SDG Engagement Equity: 2020 Annual Report