Focused on Solutions: Green Century’s Balanced Fund
Green Century’s Balanced Fund is an environmental solutions-oriented mutual fund. The Fund not only avoids the worst polluters, including fossil fuel companies and factory farms; it also invests in sustainability leaders in solar, wind, water, and food. It has been an early supporter of green bonds, which now constitute 50% of the bond portion of the Fund, investing in Apple’s* green bond and the largest solar facility in Latin America. The Fund is sub-advised by Trillium Asset Management, the oldest sustainable investing firm in the U.S.
Green Century’s Advocacy and Unique Ownership: In addition to the direct investments in companies and projects that are protecting the environment and public health (see details below), the Balanced Fund also leads a robust and effective advocacy program to promote a clean and green economy. As a shareholder, we leverage this clout to pressure companies to adopt policies and practices that promote the transition to clean energy and sustainable supply chains. For example, Green Century’s Forest Protection Campaign is reducing carbon pollution while promoting sustainable food chains and protecting rainforests and endangered species.
Green Century is a mission-driven firm that not only is the only U.S. mutual fund started and owned by environmental non-profits, but is also a successful advocate for state and national policy solutions. For instance, last year, Green Century’s staff helped press Congress to pass the Wind Tax Production Credit, which is expected to help level the playing field so that more clean energy can be potentially secured.
Environmental Screens: The Balanced Fund uses environmental criteria for both the stock and bond portions of the Fund. The Fund, which invests in about 70 companies in its equity portion, screens out the dirtiest companies and proactively seeks to invest in companies that are leaders in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, water conservation and company sustainability operations. The Fund also was an early investor in green bonds and now 50% of the bonds in the Balanced Fund are green bonds. Our green bonds are funding proactive solutions to climate change, water conservation and energy efficiency.
As of December 31, 2015, Apple, Inc. comprised 1.66% and 0.00% of the Green Century Balanced Fund and the Green Century Equity Fund, respectively. References to specific securities, which will change due to ongoing management of the Funds, should not be construed as a recommendation by the Funds, their administrator, or their distributor.
Stocks will fluctuate in response to factors that may affect a single company, industry, sector, or the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market. Bonds are subject to a variety of risks including interest rate, credit, and inflation risk. The Funds’ environmental criteria limit the investments available to the Funds compared to mutual funds that do not use environmental criteria.
This information has been prepared from sources believed to be reliable. The views expressed are as of the date of this writing and are those of the Advisor to the Funds.
You should carefully consider the Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. To obtain a Prospectus that contains this and other information about the Funds, please click here for more information, email info@greencentury.com or call 1-800-93-GREEN. Please read the Prospectus carefully before investing.
The Green Century Funds are distributed by UMB Distribution Services, LLC, 235 W. Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212. 3/16
