Independent investment research provider Morningstar has introduced a new set of impact-focused ESG indexes, adding to the firm’s growing suite of sustainability data, research and tools for global investors. These nine global sustainable activities involvement indexes span five environmental and social impact themes which incorporate alignment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The indexes are based on Sustainalytics’ ESG Impact Framework and powered by Morningstar Indexes, with the new benchmarks looking to help investors gain exposure to companies that align their revenue with the UN SDGs. Companies must pass stringent ESG screens and have significant revenue aligned to one or more impact themes to be included in the indexes. The indexes look to strengthen exposure to the impact themes, with weightings tilted toward companies with the greatest percentage of revenue derived from SDG-aligned activities. Vikram Puppala, Morningstar Sustainalytics’ Global Head of Product Strategy, said: “Investing in companies whose activities align with impact themes that matter to clients and contribute to the globally recognized UN SDGs can help to advance impact strategies. We are excited to launch this family of indexes and look forward to helping investors pursue a variety of impact-related objectives.”
