EPPF’s Sustainability Approach

As EPPF, we adopt a long-term, responsible, and sustainable investment approach to benefit our members. 

We aim to secure retirement benefits while considering investment-related risks in a changing local and global environment. 
 

A holistic approach to sustainability

Our Sustainability Policy emphasizes the capacity to meet present needs without compromising future generations. It takes a holistic view of social, economic, and environmental factors to promote resilience, equity, and prosperity.  

Sustainable development entails using renewable resources, reducing waste and pollution, and promoting social and economic justice. The goal is to harmonize human needs with the natural world in an equitable manner.
 

Climate change deserves urgent attention

Although sustainability reporting has evolved, most reporting fails to account for environmental and social resource limits at various levels. Globally, several planetary boundaries, critical for the Earth's stability, have already been crossed.  

Climate change and environmental factors pose material risks and opportunities for the Fund's investments, as evidenced by events like droughts, floods, and wildfires. 

Recognizing the urgency, we believe that merely maintaining the status quo is insufficient. We aim to actively preserve and regenerate the environment and life on Earth for the benefit of our member and the broader society.

Regeneration can help us tackle climate crisis

Regeneration integrates justice, climate action, biodiversity, and human dignity to address the climate crisis and other systemic challenges within a generation. We acknowledge that sustainability and regeneration must extend beyond investment strategies to encompass all Fund processes and practices.

Our partnerships are an example of our commitment

In practise, we have aligned ourselves with the UN Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance.

As members of the UN Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance, we are committed to transitioning our investment portfolios to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. This alliance is led by institutional investors who form part of its membership and endeavour to limit global warming to the maximum temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius. At EPPF, our goal is to reduce financed emissions by 40% by 2030. 

As the second South African asset owner signatory to the alliance, our members benefit from this global association through guaranteed best practice, transparency, learning and collaboration. 

This is also in line with the South African government’s commitment to the Paris Accord as we collectively work toward a just transition.

Addressing social inequalities is a priority

In addition to environmental regeneration, our sustainability pillars also include social justice and economic parity. Our work toward advancing women in the asset management industry is an example of how we intend to address social inequalities such as gender representation.  

In 2023, we commissioned research with Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) to help us investigate the challenges of female representation in the industry. What emerged was The Diversity in Asset Management report, which is a qualitative study into the female experience in South Africa.

Investment in infrastructure ensures sustainable future for members

Key to our work as a Fund, is ensuring a pleasant member experience. This experience extends well into the lives of our members after retirement. Our investment into infrastructure is one of the ways in which we ensure a sustainable future for our members. 

The Infrastructure Multiplier Effect means that investment in infrastructure enhances accessibility, facilitates trade, improves mobility, generates employment, and boosts overall productivity. This, in turn, enables our members to continue living in well-resourced and sustainable communities well into their retirement.