Delivering positive social outcomes
Social inequality – such as through income, race and gender – poses a systemic risk to society and the wider economy. COVID-19 has put a spotlight on social inequality, which will lead to an acceleration of regulatory action and increased awareness from consumers. However, we believe companies that are changing their business models and practices to deal with social and regulatory change should see beneficial performance.
Our Sustainable Transition Fund range targets opportunities linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that support and accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. Through the Social Transition Global Equity Fund, we invest in and engage with companies that are driving fundamental changes toward a more socially just and equitable society and economy. We take a unique and innovative approach to address the needs of investors seeking two objectives:
Our approach
Social inequality requires systemic change. We go beyond a simple solutions approach and aim to maximise our potential to deliver capital growth and impact objectives. We try to avoid significant harm by excluding companies that do not meet minimum social principles, invest in companies that meet key social needs, and invest in and engage with transition-oriented companies managing their impact on society to drive further positive change.
The social transition
Recognising that being a good corporate citizen is the right thing to do and pays off is something investors and the financial community need to think harder about, argue Vaidehee Sachdev and Matt Kirby.

Social Transition Global Equity strategy
Aviva Investors Social Transition Global Equity Fund
This strategy aims to deliver long-term capital growth by investing in companies globally that either provide solutions to social inequality or transitioning their business models to manage their social impact, while avoiding those that do not meet minimum social criteria.
Key risks
For further information on the risks and risk profiles of our funds, please refer to the relevant KIID and Prospectus.
Need more information?
For further information, please contact our investment sales team.
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Our views

Investing in a just transition to net zero: A Q&A with Nick Robins
30 Jun 2022
Reaching net zero by 2050 will require significant injections of capital. But it is also an opportunity to rethink social relationships, as Professor Nick Robins explains.
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What does the data say? Biodiversity loss: From horror to hope
24 Jun 2022
In this month’s instalment of our visual series on topical themes, we explore the world of biodiversity.
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Antimicrobial resistance: Q&A with Dame Sally Davies
10 Jun 2022
Resistance to antibiotics is already killing millions. Professor Dame Sally Davies, UK Special Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance, spoke to AIQ on the latest developments to counter antimicrobial resistance Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the UK and globally.
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Deep water: Ten threats to marine ecosystems
8 Jun 2022
Our air, weather, food, the health of diverse marine life and millions of jobs all depend on the ocean. But we have not done well as custodians of marine ecosystems. Here, we set out ten ways where human actions threaten the health of an essential environment.
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Life force: Why nature matters
12 May 2022
Growing awareness that natural systems are stressed or even close to breakdown is prompting asset managers to look closely at nature-based risks and investee companies to understand their environmental impacts and dependencies.
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Back to nature: Why we must act now on the biodiversity crisis
31 Mar 2022
In an age of mass extinctions, policymakers, businesses and financial institutions are beginning to acknowledge the risks associated with biodiversity loss, along with the opportunities that arise from nature-positive solutions.
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Change diets, not the planet: The link between food and sustainability
29 Mar 2022
We explore how shifting diets can help create a more sustainable world.
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Energy in focus: Part 2: The pivot to green
28 Mar 2022
How will the surge in the prices of oil, gas and coal impact the transition to low or zero carbon sources of fuel? In the second part of our Q&A on the energy sector, experts from our credit, equities and ESG teams contemplate the challenges and opportunities in the pivot to green.
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Energy in focus: Part 1: The last hurrah for fossil fuels?
24 Mar 2022
The fallout from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has highlighted the fragility of energy markets, with significant implications for the global economy.
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Hope for net zero: Systemic change is rarely linear
21 Mar 2022
Despite concern over the substance behind many national and corporate net-zero commitments, could the pace of change surprise on the upside? Tom Tayler assesses the state of play.
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What does the data say? ESG in focus
25 Feb 2022
In this month’s instalment of our visual series on topical data themes, we look at some of the major ESG trends and metrics of the last few years.
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Valuing nature: An interview with Elizabeth Maruma Mrema
17 Feb 2022
In this interview, AIQ catches up with Tanzanian biodiversity leader and lawyer Elizabeth Maruma Mrema about the threat of biodiversity loss, the recent Kunming Declaration and missed Aichi Biodiversity Targets, as well as the role of finance in protecting nature.
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Nature’s domino effects: An interview with Sean B. Carroll on the biodiversity crisis
10 Feb 2022
In this interview, AIQ catches up with biologist and science writer Sean B. Carroll about nature’s hidden connections and why human beings must act to reverse biodiversity loss.
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Powering up: How the drive to meet net zero targets will scale up electricity demand
26 Jan 2022
Decarbonising energy is leading to a raft of infrastructure challenges for the electric grid. So, what will this mean for investors?
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Our annual letter to company chairpersons
24 Jan 2022
As a key part of our engagement efforts, every January we send a letter to the chairs of companies we invest in (and some we don’t, but still want to use our influence with) to set out our stewardship priorities for the year. Here, in full, is our 2022 letter.
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Nature shock: Grappling with nature-based risk
19 Jan 2022
Could nature degradation prove a significant threat to corporate and financial stability? As climate change accelerates, oceans acidify, deforestation and soil erosion continue and species are lost, this important question is weighing on investors and financial regulators around the world.
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