We believe animals should be able to express natural behaviors, such as foraging, nesting, dustbathing, and social interaction, within environments that meet their physical, behavioral, and psychological needs. The killing of mammals, birds or reptiles for food, medicines or commercial purposes, particularly in industrial systems, is inherently associated with fear, stress, and suffering, and therefore presents fundamental welfare concerns. Through the investment policies of our funds, we support businesses that treat vertebrate animals humanely and with respect for their intrinsic value and prohibit investments in any operations that directly involve first hand or outsource practices that confine, harm or exploit mammals, birds, reptiles or other advanced life forms.

While our commitment prioritizes preventing harm to vertebrate animals, especially mammals, birds, and reptiles, we believe that certain forms of insect and seafood farming can be conducted sustainably and ethically. These may be considered only where production methods meet rigorous welfare, environmental, and safety standards. Particularly, in the case of aquaculture and fisheries, we promote the alignments of investee companies’ operations with or the transitions towards sustainable, nature-based solutions, as well as relevant internationally recognized certification schemes, such as EU organic certification programs, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standards or equivalent.