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2021 - Q3

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Sarasin & Partners

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Global Sustainable Equity: a renewable, electric and digital future

Hamish Chamberlayne
Head of Global Sustainable Equities | Portfolio Manager Janus Henderson

For 30 years we have shared a simple yet ambitious mission: to deliver outstanding investment returns to our clients; to be regarded as leaders in sustainable investing; and, as active investors, to play a part in making the world a better place.

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Built 30 years ago, the four pillars of the Janus Henderson Global Sustainable Equity Fund remain as pertinent today as they were three decades ago. Often, there can be conflicts between environmental and social sustainability. Our approach seeks to address this by using consistent positive and negative investment criteria, and by considering both the products and operations of each business that we invest in. Company engagement and active portfolio management are also crucial to our sustainable investment approach, and, combined, these elements make up our four pillars. It is these four pillars which have enabled the fund to remain at the forefront of sustainable investing for so long; as knowledge of sustainability has progressed, our investment approach has blossomed all the while remaining rooted in the strategy's core beliefs. We consider this to be integral to the strategy's success.

This year is the first time in our 30-year history that we have seen such positive global political harmony on the climate agenda and today, we believe that the stars are aligning for a globally synchronised investment boom into clean technologies. In April, 40 world leaders convened virtually to address the climate crisis at the Leader's Summit on Climate. The White House stated its aim to reduce US emissions by 50-52% by 2030 based on 2005 levels and China premier Xi Jinping announced intentions to phase out coal use from 2026. Meanwhile, the UK government announced the world's most ambitious climate change target to cut emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels.

So, what do these climate commitments mean for the fossil fuel economy? In order to align with the 1.5oC climate limit, we will need multiple solutions to address the multiple sectors and industries involved. Countries must increase electricity share of the primary energy mix from 20% to 50% over the next few decades. The US has already set out material provisions to electrify a portion of the school bus fleet, retrofit buildings to higher environmental standards, reduce the use of coal and gas generation, and invest in the country's electric and renewable energy infrastructure. The UK, meanwhile, has banned the sale of diesel and petrol cars by 2030 and announced a £20m funding pot for electric vehicles. It is small steps like these that are driving the move from a 'fossil analog' economy towards a 'renewable, digital, electric' economy. We refer to this as the Fourth Industrial Revolution and believe that this will be at the heart of decarbonisation efforts.

When we look to the future, we are optimistic. The transition to a low carbon economy is accelerating, sped up by the impending consequences of climate change. For 30 years we have recognised the link between sustainability and innovation, and today we believe we are finally entering a decade of transformational change which will impact multiple industries. As experts in low carbon investing, we are confident that our proven investment approach will place the strategy on the right side of change. Rather than moving with the world, the world is coming towards us and we are excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.

Further information can be found on our website: www.janushenderson.com or email sales.support@janushenderson.com

Important information

This document is intended solely for the use of professionals, defined as Eligible Counterparties or Professional Clients, and is not for general public distribution. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of an investment and the income from it can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount originally invested. Tax assumptions and reliefs depend upon an investor’s particular circumstances and may change if those circumstances or the law change. If you invest through a third party provider you are advised to consult them directly as charges, performance and terms and conditions may differ materially. Nothing in this document is intended to or should be construed as advice. This document is not a recommendation to sell or purchase any investment. It does not form part of any contract for the sale or purchase of any investment. Any investment application will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in the Prospectus (including all relevant covering documents), which will contain investment restrictions. This document is intended as a summary only and potential investors must read the prospectus, and where relevant, the key investor information document before investing. We may record telephone calls for our mutual protection, to improve customer service and for regulatory record keeping purposes.

Issued in Europe by Janus Henderson Investors. Janus Henderson Investors is the name under which investment products and services are provided by Janus Capital International Limited (reg no. 3594615), Henderson Global Investors Limited (reg. no. 906355), Henderson Investment Funds Limited (reg. no. 2678531), Henderson Equity Partners Limited (reg. no.2606646), (each registered in England and Wales at 201 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3AE and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) and Henderson Management S.A. (reg no. B22848 at 2 Rue de Bitbourg, L-1273, Luxembourg and regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier).

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