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Defining and measuring how investment managers integrate responsible investment (RI) practices into their investment methodologies is complex. Many factors influence this assessment and individual managers place varying degrees of importance on each factor.

While it’s vital for managers to be able to measure and demonstrate the role of RI in their investment strategies, we believe it’s equally important that investors can accurately identify which strategies meet with their needs and align with their investment beliefs.

Responsible Investment Designation

The Responsible Investment categorisation identifies products that primarily pursue sustainability themes. The designation is based on Zenith’s assessment of a product’s aims. It doesn’t include products where responsible investment strategies rely only on ESG integration, engagement and limited exclusion policies. Mosaic users can search for products under the Responsible Investment categorisation in the filters section of the platform. Refer to our Responsible Investment Policy for more details.

Responsible Investment (RI) Classifications

Our robust fund classification system helps advisers and their clients understand the integration of a manager’s responsible investment themes into their processes, and the associated impacts on the final portfolio outcome. 

Our RI classification:

  • has five tiers which classify a fund’s RI approach according to the level of intensity applied to the process
  • is specifically designed as a fund classification tool rather than a way of showcasing different forms of RI implementation
  • recognises that not all funds have an RI objective, and that varying levels of intensity apply in addressing RI issues, and
  • acknowledges that RI is implemented differently across active and index-based investment strategies.

More detailed information about our RI framework is available here. If you’re a fund manager looking for more information about the RI rationale and process, this material will assist.

Our responsible investment framework is governed by our Responsible Investment Policy which is available to view. 

For more detailed information about our RI review process, classifications and implementation of the framework, please contact us via: [email protected]

Frequently asked questions

What is Zenith’s responsible investment (RI) framework?
The responsible investment framework is a structured methodology for assessing investment products against environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. For advisers, a clear RI framework makes it possible to identify, compare and recommend investment options that better align with a client's priorities without sacrificing rigour or consistency.
How does Zenith classify ESG funds?
Zenith classifies responsible investment funds according to the approach they take to responsible investment themes, ranging from broad ESG integration through to dedicated impact investing. The classification system allows advisers to better match fund characteristics to client values in a transparent, consistent way.
What RI classifications does Zenith use?
Zenith's RI classification system covers a spectrum of approaches, including ESG integration, negative screening, positive screening, best-in-class selection, thematic investing and impact investing. Each classification, from Traditional through to Impact, reflects how meaningfully ESG factors influence the fund's portfolio construction and decision-making process. Learn more.
How can advisers use Zenith's RI framework with clients?
Zenith's RI classifications are accessible through Mosaic, allowing advisers to filter the rated product universe by RI approach. This makes it more straightforward to identify funds that better align with a client's stated values and document the basis for those recommendations in a compliant, transparent way. Learn more about Mosaic.