Investment Management Climate Statement

May 10, 2022
At BBH we recognize that climate-related risks present significant challenges to society, the global economy, and financial markets.

Introduction

At BBH we recognize that climate-related risks present significant challenges to society, the global economy, and financial markets. BBH Investment Management believes that physical climate risk and the global transition toward a lower-carbon economy present both potential risks and opportunities to our clients’ investments. The consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, including climate risk, in our investment due diligence enhances our ability to manage risk and achieve our long-term objectives.

Investment Approach

As an active asset manager, our investment teams conduct research to determine the materiality of risks and opportunities, including climate-related issues, for each security. Across our equity and fixed income businesses, consideration of the range of physical risks (e.g. extreme weather events) and transition climate risks (e.g. lower carbon policies and regulations), help us to effectively assess the long-term sustainability and durability of our investments. Each portfolio management team integrates the consideration of relevant climate-related issues and assesses the materiality of their impact within its investment analysis, taking into account specific company, sector, and asset class issues. Material ESG factors, including climate-related risks and opportunities, have always, and continue to be, embedded in our investment criteria as they impact our assessment of the potential economic returns of a business.

Industry Collaborations

We are a member of the United Nations Global Compact and a signatory to the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Through the PRI we are engaged with the Taskforce on Climate Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD). We support the principles and goals of these organizations, including efforts to help society manage the challenges associated with climate-related risks.

Governance

On a firmwide basis, the BBH Executive Sustainability Council serves as a governing council for BBH’s sustainability initiatives, overseeing and monitoring our sustainability framework, including the approach to and management of climate-related risks. In BBH Investment Management the ESG Oversight Committee (ESG OC) is responsible for monitoring ESG best practices and developments, including the impact of climate-related factors on our clients’ portfolios. On a regular basis the ESG OC and our portfolio managers report to the BBH Investment Management Oversight Committee (IMOC) which has ultimate oversight of our investments.

Fixed Income

Across the Fixed Income universe, we assess both the direct environmental risk to a given investment, in addition to the risks and opportunities associated with the transition to a lower carbon economy.

When evaluating these risks, we consider the financial, operational and structural mitigants to those risks:

  • Financial risk – we assess our obligors’ ability to manage the potential financial implications related to climate risk, as well as obligors’ ability to appropriately invest in their businesses to ensure compliance with environmental standards and best practices to support decarbonization.

  • Operational risk – we recognize that certain capital-intensive businesses and issuers are inherently more exposed to environmental risks than other businesses that consume less power and natural resources.

  • Structural considerations – we generally consider that the upper tiers of the capital structure, or other secured debt, tend to have lower credit risk as it relates to ESG, given that the overall risk of credit impairment is lower.

  • Transparency – when interacting with management teams, our investment teams encourage transparency and proactive disclosure of climate-related data, which in turn helps us ensure that material risks are appropriately managed.

 

Corporate Fixed Income Industries Examples of Environmental Considerations
High Inherent Risk Capital Intensive Utilities Financial
Considerations
Appropriate leverage Low or High Residual Risk
Industrials Appropriate liquidity
Energy Operational
Considerations
Invest appropriately in environmental capex
Pharmaceuticals Encourage efficiency through operations
Transport Structural
Considerations
Seniority in the capital structure
Other Recourse vs Non-Recourse
All Industries Transparency Adequate disclosure
Corporate Fixed Income Industries Examples of Environmental Considerations
Low Inherent Risk Capital Light or Low Direct Emitting Operations Services Financial
Considerations
Appropriate leverage Low or High Residual Risk
Appropriate liquidity
Financials Operational
Considerations
Revenues exposed to customers that may take on environmental risk (loans to emitters, policies written in areas susceptible to environmental risk)
Encourage efficiency through operations
Supply/energy procurement
Real Estate Structural
Considerations
Seniority in the capital structure
Recourse vs Non-Recourse
All Industries Transparency Adequate disclosure
Municipal Fixed Income  Examples of Environmental Considerations
General Obligations or Revenue Bond Natural Disaster
Risk
Is the credit exposed to hurricanes, wildfires, etc?
Climate Risk Is the credit exposed to rising sea levels or drought risk?
Pollution Has the credit engaged in behavior that contaminated the environment or taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint?
Consent Decree Governmental requirements related to environmental remediation?
Renewable
Targets
Does the credit encourage green energy adoption or have renewable energy targets?
Transparency Adequate disclosure
Structured Fixed Income Examples of Environmental Considerations
General Structured Products Considerations Identify and assess the nature and strength of all corporate linkages Separate corporate ESG analysis may be warranted 
Sizeable concentration to a borrower with elevated Environmental exposure This risk could be mitigated with a large equity position beneath the securitized note or structural protections in the transaction
Analyze the securitization trust from an ESG perspective Analyze the strength of the standalone legal structure, clarity of cashflow rules and the role of the independent trustee
Transparency Adequate disclosure

Given our emphasis on prioritizing capital preservation, understanding the magnitude to which climate change impacts our investments is inherently part of our overall credit assessment. We seek to avoid credits with uncompensated risk or material, unmitigated environmental risk.

Equity

Across the equity universe, portfolio managers and analysts assess a variety of risks and opportunities for any business under consideration for investment. This includes the evaluation of ESG factors. In evaluating whether climate risk may be material for an equity investment, we consider both the physical aspects of climate change and the implications of the ongoing energy transition to a low carbon economy. This may include our assessment of the ability of our target companies to:

  • minimize business disruption and maintain operational continuity in extreme weather events
  • manage their carbon footprint and improve production efficiency

Our equity investment team uses a set of investment criteria to find businesses which provide an essential product or service, have leadership positions in attractive industries, have attractive returns on capital and free cash flow and are managed by management teams with high levels of integrity and operational capability. Analysis of ESG factors is integrated into this investment process.

To the extent that a company bears climate-related risk factors such as i) current or future environmental liabilities, ii) regulatory mandates that could substantially increase the costs of doing business, or iii) obsolescence risk related to de-carbonization, we would typically avoid the investment.

 

 

Type of Transition Risks Transition Risks1
Investment Criteria Type of
Physical Risk
Physical Risks2
Policy & Regulation -
taxes, compliance costs
If changing regulations and policies result in materially higher operating or compliance costs, or if the costs are material and unknowable it is unlikely that we will find such an industry or business to be attractive for investment consideration BUSINESS
Essential Products & Services
Loyal Customers
Leadership in an attractive market niche or industry
Sustainable competitive advantages

MANAGEMENT
Strong operators with integrity
Favorable capital allocation

FINANCIAL
Strong balance sheet and free cash flow
High returns on capital

Acute:

  • Increased severity of extreme weather events

 

Chronic:

 

  • Changes in weather patterns
  • Rising sea levels, rising mean temperatures
  • Biodiversity and environmental footprint
  • If the business lacks sufficiently diversified supply chain and production capabilities that impact its ability to have reliable operational capability, we would not view the management as being strong operators or as good capital allocators


  • If the business is unable to diversify or shift its production and supply chain footprint to offset material risk from rising frequency of extreme weather events, to avoid burdens such as increased insurance premiums in "high-risk" locations, we would not view the business as a leader in an attractive industry
Liability for inaction If there is risk that the company faces material costs from litigation due to management's inability or unwillingness to act on the transition to a lower carbon economy we are unlikely to find management to be strong operators
Technology If the company's products and services are at material risk of technological obsolescence due to substitution with more environmentally friendly alternatives, or the company is unable or unwilling to deliver where there is potential for more carbon-friendly alternatives, we are unlikely to view the company's position in the industry or management favorably
Customer Behavior If the customer's preference for the company's products shift, or the company's costs to transition to a lower carbon economy make its products unattractive to customers, we are unlikely to find that the company's products or services are essential or that the company's management are strong operators
Reputational If the company faces a risk to its reputation either because it is unable or unwilling to effect a transition to a lower carbon economy without a material impact to its business we are unlikely to find the company to be in an attractive industry or managed by strong operators
1Material risk to the investment due to the business' transition to a lower carbon economy
2Material risk to the investment due to supply chain, production disruption and resulting harm to stakeholders
  Examples of Transitional Risk Examples of Physical Risk
Examples of Higher Risk Industries Energy, Mining, Utilities, Automotive,
Commodities
Asset intensive or product intensive businesses with highly limited flexibility to diversify or relocate physical footprint without material cost and risk e.g. Utilities, Oil & Gas
Examples of Lower Risk Industries Financials, Technology, Healthcare,
Insurance, Consumer
Industries or businesses with a limited physical footprint and fixed asset base and/or those with a well-diversified manufacturing/supplier footprint or those which can diversify and shift production and supply chain without material financial or operational issues face lower risk from climate related physical risk e.g. banks, software, healthcare
Examples of Potential Beneficiaries

Businesses that help their customers transition to a lower carbon economy via:

  • Regulatory compliance - certification and testing companies
  • Reducing environmental footprint - vendors in the energy space
  • Accurate decision making - technology and software vendors
  • Highly innovative companies who reduce their footprint with new product release

Businesses which help their customers measure and manage physical risks can be beneficiaries:

  • Software companies that can help measure the extent of risk in third party supply chains to make more informed business resiliency decisions

AND

  • Financial services companies with better pricing of this in their underwriting decisions

Engagement

Typically, portfolio managers and analysts rely on direct company engagement, companies’ annual reports and financial statements, data information services and other public information to obtain disclosure regarding environmental issues. The amount and quality of disclosure varies by sector and geography, as mandates vary by region. As BBH utilizes external ESG data vendors and sources, portfolio managers and analysts incorporate additional information as warranted.

Where and when we identify climate as a material risk to a security, we will engage with a company to determine what strategies are in place to mitigate those risks. Proxy voting offers another avenue for us to address climate-related matters as and when they arise in that forum.

As an active investment manager, BBH seeks to ensure that our businesses and issuers are well positioned for any material risks that may be on the horizon. We will continue to develop our approach as we proactively assess and manage the risks and opportunities created by climate risk and an evolving global economy.

Investors should be able to withstand short-term fluctuations in the equity markets and fixed income markets in return for potentially higher returns over the long term. The value of portfolios changes every day and can be affected by changes in interest rates, general market conditions and other political, social and economic developments.

For more information, please refer to the BBH IM Position Statement and BBH IM Engagement Statement

A less favorable ESG profile may not preclude the Adviser from investing in an issuer, as the consideration of ESG factors is not more influential than the consideration of other investment criteria.

Risks

Investors should be able to withstand short-term fluctuations in the equity markets and fixed income markets in return for potentially higher returns over the long term. The value of portfolios changes every day and can be affected by changes in interest rates, general market conditions and other political, social and economic developments.

Considering ESG factors as part of investment decisions may result in forgoing otherwise attractive opportunities, which may result in lower performance when compared to advisers that do not consider ESG factors.

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”) may be used as a generic term to reference the company as a whole and/or its various subsidiaries generally. This material and any products or services may be issued or provided in multiple jurisdictions by duly authorized and regulated subsidiaries. This material is for general information and reference purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice and is not intended as an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy securities, services or investment products. This material may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted, or any of the content disclosed to third parties, without the permission of BBH. All trademarks and service marks included are the property of BBH or their respective owners. © Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. 2022. All rights reserved.


NOT FDIC INSURED                    NO BANK GUARANTEE             MAY LOSE VALUE

IM-11482-2022-08-04                 Expiration Date: 12/31/2023

As of June 15, 2022 Internet Explorer 11 is not supported by BBH.com.

Important Information for Non-U.S. Residents

You are required to read the following important information, which, in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions, governs your use of this website. Your use of this website and its contents constitute your acceptance of this information and those Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree with this information and the Terms and Conditions, you should immediately cease use of this website. The contents of this website have not been prepared for the benefit of investors outside of the United States. This website is not intended as a solicitation of the purchase or sale of any security or other financial instrument or any investment management services for any investor who resides in a jurisdiction other than the United States1. As a general matter, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. and its subsidiaries (“BBH”) is not licensed or registered to solicit prospective investors and offer investment advisory services in jurisdictions outside of the United States. The information on this website is not intended to be distributed to, directed at or used by any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation. Persons in respect of whom such prohibitions apply must not access the website.  Under certain circumstances, BBH may provide services to investors located outside of the United States in accordance with applicable law. The conditions under which such services may be provided will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis by BBH. BBH will only accept investors from such jurisdictions or countries where it has made a determination that such an arrangement or relationship is permissible under the laws of that jurisdiction or country. The existence of this website is not intended to be a substitute for the type of analysis described above and is not intended as a solicitation of or recommendation to any prospective investor, including those located outside of the United States. Certain BBH products or services may not be available in certain jurisdictions. By choosing to access this website from any location other than the United States, you accept full responsibility for compliance with all local laws. The website contains content that has been obtained from sources that BBH believes to be reliable as of the date presented; however, BBH cannot guarantee the accuracy of such content, assure its completeness, or warrant that such information will not be changed. The content contained herein is current as of the date of issuance and is subject to change without notice. The website’s content does not constitute investment advice and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. There is no guarantee that any investment objectives, expectations, targets described in this website or the  performance or profitability of any investment will be achieved. You understand that investing in securities and other financial instruments involves risks that may affect the value of the securities and may result in losses, including the potential loss of the principal invested, and you assume and are able to bear all such risks.  In no event shall BBH or any other affiliated party be liable for any direct, incidental, special, consequential, indirect, lost profits, loss of business or data, or punitive damages arising out of your use of this website. By clicking accept, you confirm that you accept  to the above Important Information along with Terms and Conditions.

 
1BBH sponsors UCITS Funds registered in Luxembourg, in certain jurisdictions. For information on those funds, please see bbhluxembourgfunds.com


captcha image

Type in the word seen on the picture

I am a current investor in another jurisdiction