To fully control the extent of non-financial risks relating to environmental, social and governance matters, Amplegest decided in 2018 to create its own ESG rating model. The aim of the model is to provide a rating for the entire investment universe. This rating is used by all funds which have opted to include non-financial criteria. In 2021, we created the GEST World model, which expands the GEST model structure to include international securities.

Because it is difficult to judge the quality of a company’s commitment just by reading its annual report, our analysis is based on three components: quantitative, developmental and discretionary. Our partners and our discussions with corporate management teams contribute to our proprietary software GEST and GEST World. In compliance with the Amplegest values, we place special emphasis on the social aspect of companies in which we are invested.

We exclude some sectors and activities (e.g. tobacco, controversial arms and thermal coal) from all investment solutions, because of the risk they can present for populations and the environment. We have also decided to apply norm-based exclusions by excluding companies which violate the UN Global Compact or which are headquartered in countries prohibited by the United Nation. Moreover, we exclude companies involved in serious controversies (e.g. Inditex and its participation in suppressing the Uyghurs). This exclusion policy aims to: - comply with French and international regulations - adhere to the ambitions and engagements specific to Amplegest in the framework of its ESG integration policy.

Our proprietary model was developed in-house and is based on analysis from our own research department and from our partners. The model allows us to fully understand the extent of non-financial risks.

In addition to quantitative analysis, our ESG analysis places great importance on dialogue with corporate management. We regularly organise private meetings with every company we invest in.

Moreover, our shareholder commitment is reflected in the personalised commitment letters we send to companies we may invest in, and by the signing of new initiatives such as the PRI (2019) and the CDP (2020).