Pitzer College and BlackRock Launch First Ever ESG-Focused, Fossil Fuel-Free Global Equity Index Fund
CLAREMONT, Calif. — Pitzer College and investment firm BlackRock, Inc. announce the first ever global equity index fund that is both Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)-focused and fossil fuel-free. The fund is designed to help endowments, foundations and other nonprofit organizations meet their Responsible Investment goals.
This August, Pitzer College became the founding investor in the MSCI ACWI ex-Fossil Fuels ESG Focus Index Fund B. This new fund uses a disciplined, quantitative approach to incorporate ESG factors in its portfolio construction while maintaining zero exposure to fossil fuel companies. The fund was developed with assistance from leading index provider MSCI and investment consulting firm Mercer.
As a major component of Pitzer’s $135 million endowment, the fund enables the College’s public equities portfolio to achieve:
Full global diversification across developed and emerging markets
100 percent divestment from fossil fuel stocks
An estimated MSCI ESG portfolio score of AA-, as compared to a BBB score for the benchmark MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI)
An estimated 40 percent reduction in portfolio carbon intensity vs. MSCI ACWI
Estimated annual tracking error of 0.60% relative to MSCI ACWI
Endowment management fee savings in excess of $200,000 per year
“Many college and university boards have resisted divestment or ESG-related goals, believing they are hard to implement and may hurt endowment performance,” said Donald Gould, vice chair of the Pitzer College Board of Trustees and chair of the Board’s investment committee. “Our experience at Pitzer shows that with some creativity, even a smaller endowment can put in place innovative investment structures to achieve its Responsible Investment goals while staying true to the Board’s fiduciary obligations.”
“It can be a challenge for smaller investors to achieve ethical or ESG objectives,” noted Alex Bernhardt, who heads up Mercer’s Responsible Investment practice in the US. “Pitzer’s trailblazing makes it easier for like-minded investors to align their portfolios with their beliefs.”
“We are pleased that Pitzer College and BlackRock have chosen this global benchmark as they expand their ESG investing initiatives,” said Jana Haines, managing director and head of Americas Index at MSCI.
Pitzer College, home to the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability, is a nationally recognized leader in environmental sustainability practices and academic curriculum. In 2014, Pitzer launched the Fossil Fuel Divestment-Climate Action Model, making Pitzer the first private college or university in California to divest from fossil fuels. Pitzer also reduced its carbon footprint by 25 percent in two years; established a campus task force to bolster on-campus measures to promote sustainability; and developed an ESG policy to guide endowment investment decisions.
“Pitzer College is known for responsible, ethical and innovative solutions to global environmental and social challenges,” said Pitzer College President Melvin L. Oliver. “We thank the Board of Trustees for its vision and leadership in this ground-breaking solution that empowers non-profits to align investments with their values.”
One of the first colleges in the US to launch an environmental studies program, Pitzer has promoted environmental awareness for nearly 50 years. Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility are Pitzer College core values. Nearly fifty percent of college buildings are LEED-certified. Drought-tolerant landscaping has helped Pitzer cut its water use in half since 2002. Pitzer was awarded a STARS Gold rating from the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education in 2016. The College researches, teaches and lives its commitment to sustainability.
About Pitzer College
Pitzer College is a nationally top-ranked undergraduate liberal arts and sciences institution. A member of The Claremont Colleges, Pitzer offers a distinctive approach to a liberal arts education by linking intellectual inquiry with interdisciplinary studies, cultural immersion, social responsibility and community involvement. For more information, please visit www.pitzer.edu.
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a global leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients. On June 30, 2017, BlackRock’s assets under management were $5.7 trillion. BlackRock helps clients around the world meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. As of June 30, 2017, the firm had approximately 13,000 employees in more than 30 countries and a major presence in global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit www.blackrock.com.
About MSCI
For more than 40 years, MSCI’s research-based indexes and analytics have helped the world’s leading investors build and manage better portfolios. MSCI is a leading provider of ESG indexes. Clients rely on MSCI’s offerings for deeper insights into the drivers of performance and risk in their portfolios, broad asset class coverage and innovative research. The company’s line of products and services includes indexes, analytical models, data, real estate benchmarks and ESG research. MSCI serves 97 of the top 100 largest money managers, according to the most recent P&I ranking. For more information, visit www.msci.com.
About Mercer
Mercer delivers advice and technology-driven solutions that help organizations meet the health, wealth and career needs of a changing workforce. Mercer’s more than 22,000 employees are based in 43 countries and the firm operates in over 130 countries. Mercer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC), the leading global professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people. With more than 60,000 colleagues and annual revenue over $13 billion, Marsh & McLennan helps clients navigate an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. For more information, visit www.mercer.com.
