Standing by Our Principles & the Values of Our Investors
For the past twenty-five years, Green Century has prided itself on delivering environmentally and socially responsible investment opportunities to investors. Our commitment is resolute. We believe in what we do and trust that our investors truly wish to make an impact through the power of their investments.
In a time when sustainable, responsible and impact (SRI) investing has gained favor among mainstream investment firms, it can be difficult to determine which managers, funds, and other investment products are authentic in their SRI and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) claims.
Not all SRI and ESG are equal. For instance, the media has reported extensively on new exchange-traded funds that have been marketed under a fossil fuel free umbrella. However, with a little investigation it is clear that these offerings are not fossil fuel free. Depending on the product, the funds can hold companies that explore for, extract, or refine coal, oil, and natural gas as well as utilities that burn fossil fuels in order to produce electricity.
A number of managers, funds, and other investment products on the market are moving quickly to integrate offerings that attract the growing segment of investors interested in ESG and SRI. Just last week, the pending sale of Calvert Investment Management to Eaton Vance* was announced. The pending sale may be shaded in marketing efforts as a way to bring impact investing to the masses, but it’s important to realize that this is a business decision. Eaton Vance is looking to expand by tapping into a growing market segment. And, whether it’s intended or not, Calvert may lose touch with the very clients and stakeholders whose goals it initially set out to promote; it’s simply a common side effect of growth.
We at Green Century, like others in the SRI field, are incredibly invested in creating economies of scale with regard to ESG and impact investing, but not at the sacrifice of our principles, mission, and values of our investors.
In the ever-increasing rush of mainstream managers and funds searching for SRI and ESG offerings, it is our hope that those within the SRI field don’t lose sight of our common goal – to actively advance a cleaner, more sustainable, just, and more prosperous economy for the future through the power of investment while seeking competitive returns.
To learn more about our three-pronged approach of delivering impact through sustainable investing, shareholder advocacy, and unique non-profit owners, please visit the Why Choose Green Century webpage. You can also click here, email info@greencentury.com, or call 1-800-934-7336 to learn more about how we can help you make an impact through the power of your investments.
*As of September 30, 2016, the holdings of the Green Century International Index Fund are valued at cost. As of the same date, no securities mentioned were held in the portfolios of the Green Century 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, email info@greencentury.com or call 1-800-934-7336. Please read the Prospectus carefully before investing.
Stocks will fluctuate in response to factors that may affect a single company, industry, sector, country, region or the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market. Foreign securities are subject to additional risks such as currency fluctuations, regional economic and political conditions, differences in accounting methods, and other unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Bonds are subject to risks including interest rate, credit, and inflation. 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. Â
The Green Century Funds are distributed by UMB Distribution Services, LLC. UMB Distribution Services does not distribute other investment products mentioned. 11/16
