Environmental engagement
Environmental engagement concerns the impact the Company has on living and non-living natural systems, including ecosystems. Such matter includes the monitoring of environmental inputs (such as materials, energy, water) and outputs (such as emissions, effluents, waste), as well as performance related to biodiversity, environmental compliance, environmental spending, and the impact of products and services provided.
Environmental impact management is crucial to assess the investments made and managed by the Company. In addition to complying with applicable environmental laws and regulations, Prelios SGR aims to promote environmental awareness and knowledge, and to keep on continuously improving in environmental management and performance, including the review of short- and long-term environmental performance targets.
Direct environmental impact
Reducing the Company’s environmental footprint
As a financial institution, Prelios SGR's direct environmental impact is relatively limited. However, the Company aims to continuously reduce its environmental footprint. .
Actions implemented
- striving to reduce the direct negative impact of the Company’s activities on the environment;
- being efficient in the use of resources and using renewable or recyclable materials; and
- minimizing and recycling waste.
Indirect environmental impact
Investment decisions and how investments are managed
The greatest impact the Company, as an asset management company, has on the environment is indirect, through the investment decisions and how the investments made are managed.
Actions implemented:
- working with position statements and industry policies, focusing on sustainable business opportunities and risk mitigation;
- continually improving investment and risk assessment procedures by further developing environmental and social considerations;
- seeking environmental-friendly investment opportunities;
- taking into account the environmental performance of suppliers and contractors, as well as the environmental impact of products and services in the procurement process; and involving the suppliers in the application of sustainability policies.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Prelios SGR, in line with the Group's policies, promotes diversity in all its forms in order to make the most of its opportunities and create value within the workplace.
In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals No. 5 (Gender Equality) and No. 10 (Reducing Inequalities), Prelios SGR and the Group recognize and embrace the value of the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion ("DE&I") as an integral part of its culture, values and business activities. In particular, Prelios SGR and the Group are committed to upholding the values of diversity and inclusion through the adoption of business, organizational and management processes marked by respect for people's rights and freedoms. The terms “Diversity”, “Equity” and “Inclusion” refer to:
- Diversity: means all the ways in which we differ. It includes differences such as gender, age, ethnicity, physical appearance, different abilities and nationality, as well as thinking styles, religion, affective-sexual orientation, gender identity, political and trade union views, health status, cultural background and family status
- Equity: means the adoption of unbiased practices and policies that ensure all people fair opportunities for enhancement and development
- Inclusion: means creating a working environment and culture in which all differences are valued and respected. Everyone has the opportunity to learn, develop, contribute and achieve in the workplace.
Prelios SGR operates in an impartial and fair manner and does not tolerate any form of direct or indirect, multiple and interconnected discrimination based on gender, age, affective-sexual orientation and gender identity, conditions of different abilities, medical condition, ethnic origin, nationality, political and trade union opinions, social category or religious faith. It also promotes conditions that enable the elimination of cultural, organisational and material barriers that limit people's full participation and full potential within the organisation.
ESG factors in the investment strategy and reporting
Integrating sustainability aspects affects all phases of investment process
The integration of ESG factors into the investment process is done through the implementation of:
- the ESG due diligence check-list to identify and manage ESG risks in individual assets as part of the ordinary investment process. The check-list can be integrated and/or modified to take into consideration the peculiarities of each investment, also possibly through the use of questionnaires. The results of the ESG analysis with any possible improvement actions are brought to the attention of the SGR Board of Directors;
- quantitative tools for calculating and monitoring the ESG performance of the products, differentiated according to whether the AIF has an explicit ESG strategy or not;
- specific Risk Management tools for the integration of ESG factors in the risk assessment criteria of individual investments. The Company has adopted an internal methodology in order to assess the sustainability risk for all managed AIFs which provides for the calculation of a total scoring risk calculated taking into account the environmental, social and governance aspects, in line with the reference legislation in force. The Risk Management analyses are presented to the Company's Board of Directors at least once a year.
Focus ESG performance
For all AIFs ESG performance is assessed by means of a specific assessment tool, developed internally, based on the 8 indicators and also possibly through the use of questionnaires. For each indicator a weighted percentage score is attributed corresponding to the cluster to which it belongs (i.e. high, medium-high, medium-low, weak/absent). The single AIF is then assigned a final percentage score determined by the average of the scores attributed to each indicator.
For AIFs with an explicit ESG strategy
additional criteria and tools are adopted for the identification, implementation and monitoring of specific ESG performance objectives and results.
These activities can also be carried out with the support of specially appointed advisors.
Whether consistent with the ESG strategy of each individual AIF, considerations regarding sustainability will be integrated with the assessment of investments’ alignment to relevant requirements set out in Regulation (EU) 2020/852 ("Taxonomy EU") and its regulatory technical standards.
ESG performance monitoring and measurement activities are carried out at least once a year and the results, together with an overview of the ESG strategy implemented and the strategic action plan in terms of sustainability, are submitted to the Board of Directors of the SGR, and possibly to the Investors, where applicable, according to the procedures contained in the relevant Management Rules/By-Laws.
Measuring ESG impact
Prelios SGR measures the impact of its investments through a proprietary analysis tool based on the following ESG criteria
Governance of the Responsible Investment process
Each function and/or department manager is responsible for consistent implementation of the guidelines in the performance of activities
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Implements the SGR policies regarding sustainability and risk management system, with particular reference to implementation of AIFs management policies in accordance with the strategies and plans approved by the Company's Board of Directors.
Head of Sustainability (HoS)
Appointed by the BoD and reporting directly to the CEO, is responsible for the process of integrating sustainability principles regarding the Company and the managed AIFs, proposing ESG strategies also in the structuring of products and the action plan for the implementation of strategic decisions
Fund Management (FM)
- with the support of the HoS, identifies ESG objectives of the investments of managed AIFs;
- is responsible for the implementation of the related strategies and the monitoring of the results achieved at AIF level.
Asset & Development Management, Acquisition and Special Situations
Supports the Fund Management structure in identifying and monitoring the main ESG levers for the assets managed
Risk Management department
Has developed a methodology for the analysis of Sustainability Risks relating to the AIFs under management. The Risk Management analyses are presented to the Company's Board of Directors at least once a year
Sustainable Finance Committee (SFC)
Has advisory and propositional tasks vis-à-vis the BoD and the CEO, in the analysis and integration of ESG issues in the Company's decision-making processes. In particular:
- expresses opinions on the proposals formulated by the HoSconcerning ESG strategies in the structuring of products, and adjustments to SGR processes and/or procedures in compliance with ESG regulations and best practices;
- analyses the ESG report and proposes any additions and/or changes regarding the performance of the AIFs with a focus on environmental aspects;
- expresses opinions and recommendations regarding the sustainability action plan, and regarding the adoption of strategic decisions about ESG matters, monitoring the development of sustainability priorities, also with reference to the selection and management of investments, with assessments of the impacts of sustainability risks, in coordination with the Risk Management department.
Engagement and stewardship
The Company actively promotes engagement policies aimed at raising awareness of all stakeholders with respect to sustainability issues
The Company actively promotes both internally and externally engagement policies aimed at raising stakeholders' awareness of sustainability-related issues, with a view to positively influencing behaviour and increasing the degree of transparency of its own sector.
Moreover, through an ongoing dialogue with the Target Companies on issues related to sustainability and through the exercise of the voting rights associated with the equity investment, the Company aims to positively influence the conduct of the Target Companies and increase the degree of transparency.
As regards private equity AIFs, engagement aims to increase the awareness of the management of the Target Companies towards a constant and lasting commitment to improving good governance practices and respect for environmental and social principles. The engagement approach is customized according to the investment policy of the individual private equity AIF, as well as the characteristics of the Target Companies. In defining the engagement strategy of each AIF, the following will be defined, inter alia:
- the objectives of the engagement;
- the tools and methods for implementing and monitoring engagement activities in order to pursue the objectives of engagement;
- planning of collaborative dialogue with Target Companies and other stakeholders (e.g. written communications, meetings with management, participation in shareholders' meetings, etc.);
- the possible adoption of a specific ESG Action Plan for the Target Companies.
Consistently with the investment policies of each individual private equity AIF, following the ESG due diligence process, the SGR will be able to evaluate the adoption of a specific ESG Action Plan, in order to improve the ESG performance of the Target Companies. The ESG Action Plan can be substantiated, for example, through:
- prompt identification of any situations that may generate a sustainability risk and identification of appropriate corrective measures;
- definition of the relevant target KPIs, as well as the methods of data collection aimed at assessing and monitoring ESG performance;
- implementation of sustainability policies or strengthening of any sustainability measures already provided for by the policies in force at the Target Companies.
Finally, the Company actively participates in CSR and ESG initiatives promoted by the industry to which it belongs in order to contribute to the diffusion and consolidation of sustainable practices in all the areas in which it operates.
