Responsible Investing & Social Responsibility

As an investment manager, we believe that a high standard of business conduct, as well as a responsible approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues makes good business sense and enhances shareholder value. Conversely, poor management of these issues may pose a risk to the reputation and value of a business.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (ESG)

UNPRI SIGNATORY

Plato signed the UNPRI in 2011 after completing significant work in investigating the integration of ESG scores into investment processes in Australia. Plato continues to source new and updated ESG data in order to develop better understanding of the impact of ESG and sustainability issues upon risks and returns in our investment strategies. Plato has also signed up to receive governance issue notifications via the UNPRI clearing house.
To find out more about the UNPRI, please visit their website.

2020 Assessment Report Rating Summary:

  • Strategy & Governance: A+
  • Listed Equity: Incorporation: A
  • Listed Equity: Active Ownership: A

Climate Action 100+ Member

Plato is also a member of the Climate Action 100+ group, an investor-led initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change. To find out more about Climate Action 100+, please visit their website.

Montreal Carbon Pledge

Plato has become a signatory to the Montreal Carbon Pledge, and to this effect has contracted with service providers to provide data to enable Plato to measure and monitor the carbon intensity of our portfolios. For clients who want to lower the carbon intensity of their investment portfolios, Plato can provide lower carbon intensity portfolios than standard market benchmark portfolios. Our research shows that one can considerably reduce the carbon intensity of enhanced index portfolios without significantly impacting other broad portfolio characteristics. This research is available on request.

Montreal Pledge: Plato’s aggregate Carbon Footprint (as measured by MSCI) is 11.8% lower than the exposure of our ASX200/300 benchmarks as at the end of December 2020.

In addition, our aggregate portfolio carbon intensity (Total CO2 emissions divided by revenue) is 11.6% lower than the benchmark index.

Plato monitor our CO2 exposures continuously and have capabilities to target exposure levels for our clients that wish to have a CO2 reduced investment strategy that also delivers on performance objectives.

ESG RA MEMBER

Plato is a founding member of ESG Research Australia, which aims to encourage the development and provision of ESG research on listed companies by brokers within Australia.
To find out more about ESG Research Australian, please visit their website.

Proxy Voting and Engagement

Plato actively votes proxies and engages with companies on significant issues such as Woodside’s aborted selective share buyback (paper available on request). For more details on Plato’s proxy voting please refer to Plato’s Proxy Voting Policy.

ESG Related Research

From time to time Plato conducts research into ESG related factors. ESG related research includes:

  • Assessing executive remuneration: Does performance Pay? (2011)
  • Implementing ESG tilts in an Australian equity portfolio (2011) paper available on request
  • Implementing Carbon reduction in an Australian equity portfolio (2015) paper available on request
  • Carbon reduction in Australian Equity Portfolios (2020)
  • Plato’s ESG Policy
PROMOTING GENDER DIVERSITY

PLATO WOMEN IN FINANCE SCHOLARSHIPS

Plato proudly supports women in finance scholarships across several leading city and regionally based universities.

With the aim of encouraging more women to join the financial services industry, Plato sponsors three scholarships each year for women studying finance and also offers internships to these scholarship winners.

Plato takes pride in ensuring graduates undertake real world work experience from day one, with exposure to highly qualified staff members to maximise their potential and career development.

Pictured: (Left) 2020 winner Phoebe Little in Brisbane with Dr Don Hamson. (Right) 2019 scholarship winner Victora Ng in Sydney with Dr Don Hamson and Dr Peter Gardner.

INTERN INTERVIEW: VICTORIA NG

University of Queensland Bachelor of Commerce student, Victoria Ng shares her experience of working with the Plato team during January, 2021.

Read the interview.

investment management internship

ANU FEATURE: "BREAKING THE GENDER BARRIER, ONE SCHOLARSHIP AT A TIME"

The Australian National University (ANU) cover the story of Stephanie Li, the inaugural recipient of The Plato Women in Finance Scholarship.

Read the article.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

  • Alizeh Zaidi, University of Technology (UTS), 2021
  • Phoebe Little, University of Queensland (UQ), 2020
  • Victoria Ng, University of Queensland (UQ), 2019
  • Stephanie Li, The Australian National University (ANU), 2019

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to keep up to date with the latest fund
information and insights.
SUBSCRIBE

“A hero is born among a hundred, a wise man is found among a thousand, but an accomplished one might not be found even among a hundred thousand men.”

Plato (427-347 BC)

“A hero is born among a hundred, a wise man is found among a thousand, but an accomplished one might not be found even among a hundred thousand men.”

Plato (427-347 BC)