Responsible investment

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund is committed to responsible investment.

We strive to avoid risks that may compromise long-term economic value and capture investment opportunities.

We seek to attain our objectives through a four-pillar framework, detailed in our Sustainable Investment Policy.

The Fund adheres to sustainable investment proxy voting guidelines in partnership with leading global provider, ISS. Read more about our proxy voting guidelines.

Our commitment to Net Zero and the transition to a low carbon economy is outlined in our position on fossil fuels. This commitment acknowledges climate change challenges and helps ensure the Fund’s investments remain resilient and sustainable to meet its long-term objectives.

Interview with Pedro Guazo, Representative of the Secretary-General (RSG) for the investment of the UNJSPF assets

Watch the video to find out how the UNJSPF invests sustainably and to learn more about its collaboration with MSCI. Access the full case study here.

Recent reports

Responsible Investment at the UNJSPF

It is our primary fiduciary duty to invest in the best financial interests of all our participants. We also aim to protect and enhance the value of our investments for the long-term. We aim to do this by being a responsible long-term investor and a steward of our investments.

We believe that the way a business is run and how it manages its stakeholders and the environment around it, will impact the long-term financial returns that it will make for its investors.

This is why we consider the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when we invest.

At the core of our investment approach is also the belief that as a global investor, we are in a unique position to deploy capital and create real-world positive outcomes. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a clear framework to shape those outcomes.

Our Responsible Investment approach addresses environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges that may affect the long-term sustainability of the Fund as well as our external footprint on the world in which we live.

Our Sustainable History

1948

Restrictions of Weapons

The Fund is prohibited from investing in securities of weapon manufacturer.

1960

Restriction of Tobacco

The Fund is prohibited from investing in securities of companies that produce, distribute, retail and supply tobacco products.

2006

PRI Founding Signatory

The Principles for Responsible Investment offer a menu of possible actions for incorporating ESG issues into investment practice. 

2008

Invested in the first green bond by World Bank

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund invested in the inaugural green bonds of the World Bank.

2014

2014 Events

Sustainable and proxy voting policy - Low Carbon ETFs Launch

2016

Climate Action +100 tobacco-free pledge - AODP #7 out of 100 (Pension Funds)

Climate Action 100+ is an investor-led initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change. 

2017

PRI A+ Rating AODP #17 of 500 - BW Top 25 Responsible Investors

 UNJSPF ranked #17 of the top 500 global pension funds as measured by the Asset Owners Disclosure Project (AODP). 

2018

ESG Integration Strategy across all assets

The objective of our Sustainable Investing approach is to integrate ESG considerations in our investment decision-making process across all asset classes.

2019

2019 Events

GRESB as benchmark for Core Real Estate - Thermal Coal Divestiture - Integration of ESG into the OIM Investment Policy Statement (IPS)

2020

2020 Events

Committed to implement recommendations of the TCFD - Joined the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance

2021

2021 Events

Carbon reduction targets - Fossil Fuel Divestment 

2022

TCFD report

The UN Pension Fund released its first report explaining how it addresses the challenges caused by climate change on its investment activities. 

Our Responsible Investment Approach

Sustainable investment focused on four pillars

Sustainable considerations are integrated into our responsible investment strategy and portfolio construction. This includes the integration of financially material ESG considerations throughout the entire investment decision-making process, and across asset classes.

To further reflect our commitment to sustainable investment, the Fund’s financial performance is measured against a custom ESG benchmark, where tobacco, armaments and fossil fuel securities are excluded.

To further reflect our commitment to sustainable investment, the Fund’s financial performance is measured against a custom Responsible Investment benchmark, where tobacco, armaments and thermal coal securities are excluded.

The UN Pension Fund also engages with participants and beneficiaries on Responsible Investment matters in periodic townhalls, where members are given the opportunity to ask questions and learn more on the Fund’s approach.

Networks and Associations

The Fund is a member of several groups and initiatives:

Founding signatory (2006) of the UN-supported network of investors, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

Participation in Climate Investor networks: Ceres Investor Network and Climate Action 100+ since 2019.

Use of GRESB as a benchmark for core real estate since 2019.

Member of the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, a group of asset owners targeting net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

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