Perspectives & Case Studies

Public Equities

• Data-driven corporate engagement
• Input to fundamental equity analysis
• Construct alternative indexes

Corporate Fixed Income

• Input to credit analysis and internal credit rating assignment
• Assess quality of disclosure for insight into risk

Private Equity

• Identify focus areas for fund and portfolio company due diligence
• Report to GPs and LPs on performance on material ESG topics

Real Assets

• Use SASB’s Infrastructure sector standards to guide risk assessment and performance reporting for real assets

ESG Integration Insights are compilations of case studies from asset owners and managers, showcasing best practices for using SASB standards and tools in investment decisions across asset classes.

• 2019 Edition
• 2017 Edition
• 2016 Edition

In this case study, learn how Breckinridge Capital Advisors uses SASB’s materiality framework to bring focus to ESG considerations in its fundamental fixed income analysis.

This case study illustrates how Columbia Threadneedle used SASB’s framework to build its own “responsible investment” ratings system and drive engagement.

This case study shows how Glenmede uses SASB’s materiality framework to develop ESG Momentum as an additive, uncorrelated factor in quantitative, multifactor models.

This case study illustrates how Partners Group’s adaptive approach for integrating SASB standards into their due diligence process has improved the efficiency of their ESG analyses, and shares lessons learned along the way.

In this case study, learn how PIMCO augments traditional credit analysis with a SASB-informed approach, and how it applies this ESG integration strategy in the commercial banking industry to better manage risk and return.

Leveraging SASB’s focus on financial materiality, PineBridge Investments defines sector-specific, climate-stress scenarios that allow it to readily incorporate key climate exposures alongside traditional risk-adjusted portfolio metrics, enhancing its analysis and facilitating more effective mitigation of the risks associated with a transition to a low-carbon economy. See how PineBridge Investments uses SASB’s framework to help build TCFD-ready, climate-resilient portfolios.

The financial materiality of ESG issues and increasing client interest in ESG investing led State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) to develop R-Factor™, an ESG scoring system that leverages SASB’s work to generate a unique ESG score for publicly listed companies. SSGA breaks down the anatomy of an R-Factor™ score, including an example of how information from a data provider might be filtered through SASB’s framework. In this case study, investment leaders at SSGA explain their approach to measuring ESG performance. 

In this case study, QMA explains the results of research which indicates that company investments in SASB-aligned initiatives pay off. The findings demonstrate that markets reward strategic ESG practices with higher valuations. Learn more about the connections between ESG scores and investor valuation.

This case study shows how UBS constructed the Aspiration Redwood Fund based on their core valuation philosophy, augmented by new tools—including the SASB Materiality Map™—enabling a sharper focus on sustainability issues that can impact value.

This case study illustrates how ESG considerations complement UBS’ fundamental equity analysis and capital allocation decisions, and how the development of their proprietary tools used in these decisions were informed by SASB.

SASB Blog, Why Walden Supports SASB

Hear from Heidi Soumerai, CFA, Managing Director at Walden Asset Management, on why Walden supports SASB.