Responsible investment DDQ for fixed income investors

About this due diligence questionnaire

How is this due diligence questionnaire (DDQ) designed to be used?

The questionnaire provides a broad set of questions that can be used during the selection, appointment, and monitoring of external managers. The questions can be used as part of a request for proposal (RFP) process, during manager reviews and monitoring, or incorporated into ongoing dialogue. The PRI encourages investors to tailor and adjust the questions according to the context.

How can investors supplement the information gathered through this questionnaire?

The DDQ should not be considered in isolation, but rather used to support a wider information-gathering process. Investors are encouraged to:

• consider what additional resources are available to enhance their understanding of investment managers’ answers; and
• engage with investment managers to seek additional information and clarification, where necessary.

What fixed income sub-asset classes does the DDQ apply to?

This DDQ can be used to assess managers operating across a range of fixed income sub-asset classes, including sovereign, sub-sovereign, supranational and agency debt; corporate debt; and securitised products. A separate responsible investment DDQ is available for private debt investors.

There are significant differences between publicly traded fixed income sub-asset classes. Investment managers replying to this questionnaire should make clear in their answers if/how their policies and practices differ between these sub-asset classes, where applicable.

The questions in the DDQ are, in most cases, applicable across asset classes but the guidance under each question is specifically tailored to fixed income sub-asset classes.

How does this DDQ relate to the PRI Reporting Framework?

To promote consistency, the DDQ is designed to complement information gathered through the PRI’s Reporting Framework – particularly the fixed income module. Data gathered through the PRI Reporting Framework provides insights into an organisation’s overall approach to responsible investment. The DDQ aims to elicit more in-depth information on the fixed income strategy the manager oversees or is proposing to oversee.

How does this DDQ relate to other industry standards?

As part of efforts to promote consistency, the DDQ has been designed in reference to investment disclosure standards and frameworks developed by external organisations, such as the CFA Institute. A mapping of the questions to those contained in external standards is contained in the appendices.

How does this questionnaire work alongside the PRI’s DEI DDQ?

The PRI has previously published a DDQ on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Investors are invited to supplement the questions in this asset-class-specific DDQ with those in the DEI DDQ.

Where can definitions of key terms in this DDQ be found?

Please refer to the Reporting Framework glossary of key terms, some of which are also hyperlinked individually within the remainder of the DDQ.

How can feedback on the DDQ be shared?

Please contact [email protected] if you have questions or feedback regarding this DDQ. 

Guidance for investment managers responding to the questionnaire Document checklist

DDQ questions 

1. Policy, governance, commitments and resourcing

1.1 What is the organisation’s overall approach to responsible investment?

The concise overview should address the following questions: i) What are the reasons for the organisation’s responsible investment approach? ii) Does your organisation apply responsible investment principles across all asset classes and strategies, or only across a selection? Please specify if there have been any significant developments in your organisation’s responsible investment approach in the last twelve months.

1.2 Does the organisation have a responsible investment policy?

If it does, provide a copy. State whether the policy is publicly available, specify which fixed income sub-asset classes it applies to (e.g., sovereign, corporate, other types of debt instruments) and describe the process for reviewing and updating it. If your organisation does not have a policy, or if the policy does not cover all fixed income investments, explain why not.

1.3 Who oversees responsible investment within the organisation?

Specify the individual or committee with ultimate oversight of responsible investment within the organisation and describe the relevant skills and experience they bring. Please add information about the organisational governance structure and accountabilities for responsible investment in fixed income. Ifresponsible investment objectives are incorporated into compensation mechanisms at board and/or senior management level, please provide details.

1.4 Does the organisation participate in, support, or commit to any international standards, guidelines, reporting frameworks, or industry initiatives that promote responsible investment in fixed income?

If so, explain which. Examples include publicly supporting the goals of the Paris Agreement, being a PRI signatory and endorsing the TCFD recommendations. Provide examples of what the organisation’s participation or commitment involves (e.g., if a member of the organisation is part of an industry working group, explain the input they have in the group and what the outputs from the group are).

1.5 Are commitments relating to responsible investment included in contractual agreements with investor clients?

If so, provide details. Specify whether responsible investment commitments can be included in contractual arrangements for this strategy when requested by clients. Examples of areas covered in contractual clauses include commitments on alignment with the Paris Agreement, and commitments to conduct ESG incorporation. For pooled funds, please specify whether commitments relating to responsible investment are included in the fund prospectus.

1.6 Who implements responsible investment for the strategy?

Describe the role of the portfolio manager, or equivalent principal decisionmaker, in implementing responsible investment.^[1]

1.7 Does the organisation ensure that the investment professionals working on the strategy are trained on responsible investment and that they remain up to date on responsible investment topics?

If so, provide details. If the organisation provides training, assistance, or equips the staff with additional relevant resources, please describe them. This should include how often these are delivered, by whom, to whom and how their effectiveness is measured.

1.8Are responsible investment objectives incorporated into performance reviews and/or compensation mechanisms for investment professionals working on this strategy?

If so, provide an overview.Describe the responsible investment objectives targeted (e.g., the management of ESG risks and opportunities, the achievement of stewardship/engagement KPIs) and the positions these objectives apply to. If they are not, explain why, mentioning any alternative incentives and/or accountability mechanisms that are in place.

 

2. Investment process

ESG incorporation

2.1 Is the financial materiality of ESG factors analysed?

If so, provide details. Provide examples of the ESG issues that are analysed (e.g., climate change, human rights). Mention whether a framework is used that differentiates ESG risks by the country/region and/or sector of the issuer. Please also explain how you consider ESG risks over different time horizons depending on the duration of investments. Specify the frequency of the analysis. Refer to any tools, standards or data that are used in the analysis.

2.2 Are ESG factors incorporated into investment decisions through integration, screening and/or thematic approaches?

2.2.1) Is analysis of ESG factors integrated into investment decisions?

If so, mention how analysis of ESG issues influences issuer and security selection and portfolio construction. If the integration approach varies for different types of issuers, exposures (e.g., direct, synthetic), and instruments, please provide details. For investments in securitised products, describe at what level ESG factors are integrated, for example whether they are integrated at key counterparty level (sponsor, servicer, manager) and/or at the collateral pool level. Provide two recent examples of how analysis of ESG issues has influenced security selection and/or portfolio construction.

2.2.2) Are ESG screens applied?

If so, describe the screens that are applied to determine whether an investment is within, or outside of, the permissible universe of investments. Mention the scope and nature (e.g., positive, negative, norms-based) of screens that are applied. Specify the issuer type, the instrument type, and the exposure type (e.g., direct, synthetic) the screens apply to. Mention whether your organisation can apply client-directed screens to the strategy.

2.2.3) Are thematic investments made in relation to ESG factors?

If so, provide details. Mention which ESG factors(s) (e.g., climate change, circular economy) are targeted and whether there are strategy-level allocation targets in relation to the theme(s).

2.3 What is the approach to assessing ESG-labelled fixed income products?

[This question is only applicable to strategies that can invest in ESG-labelled fixed income products, including use-of-proceeds instruments (such as green or social bonds) and sustainability-linked instruments (such as sustainability-linked loans or bonds).] Mention i) the elements of the products that are assessed (e.g., the use of proceeds or the relevance/materiality of the KPIs of the sustainability-linked products); ii) whether there is a requirement for the products to align with a recognised standard; iii) whether the assessment of such securities is accompanied by consideration of the issuers’ overall profile and broader ESG performance where relevant; and iv) at what stage(s) in the investment process the assessment(s) take(s) place. If you do not have a formalised approach, please explain why.

2.4 Is there a formalised process for monitoring ESG factors related to investments?

If so, provide details. Describe the regularity of the monitoring. State whether scenario analysis focused on ESG issues, such as climate change, is conducted for this strategy. Mention if investees are monitored for involvement in negative ESG incidents/controversies and any actions taken in response to their involvement. If applicable, provide examples of actions taken in cases where ESG incidents were identified and addressed.

2.5 Do you analyse whether ESG incorporation affects financial returns?

If so, provide details. Mention whether the analysis can be conducted quantitatively (e.g., in relation to a specified benchmark) and/or qualitatively. Describe the challenges and complexities involved, and the approach to addressing these.

Sustainability outcomes

 

2.6 Do you identify the sustainability outcomes (i.e. positive and negative outcomes on people and planet) connected to the investment activities of the strategy?

If so, provide details. Disclose any frameworks or tools you use to identify these (e.g., the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement). Specify whether both positive and negative outcomes are identified. Provide examples of outcomes that are identified (e.g., the impact of the strategy on climate change).

2.7 Does the strategy take action with the aim of improving sustainability outcomes connected to investment activities?

If so, provide details. Mention i) the sustainability outcome objectives targeted and ii) the actions taken to intentionally increase positive and/or decrease negative sustainability outcomes.

3. Stewardship/engagement

 3.1 Does the organisation have a stewardship/engagement policy that covers the investments made by the strategy?

If so, provide a copy. Specify which categories of fixed income instruments (e.g., sovereign debt, corporate debt) the strategy invests in that the policy applies to. State whether the policy is publicly available and describe the process for reviewing and updating it. If your organisation does not have a policy, or if the policy does not cover all fixed income investments, explain why not.

3.2 Does the organisation conduct stewardship/engagement activity in relation to this strategy?

If so, provide details. Mention which entities are engaged with (e.g., issuers, counterparties, policy makers, industry bodies) and why. Describe the ESG issues the activity focuses on and mention how issues are selected and prioritised, including whether consideration is given to ESG issues, such as climate change, that pose risks beyond a single company, sector or geography. Mention the approach to collaborative stewardship initiatives (such as collaborative engagements).

3.3 Is stewardship/engagement activity tracked and is its effectiveness assessed?

If so, provide details. Mention any key performance indicators used to track the effectiveness of stewardship/engagement efforts. Mention if/how activities are escalated if initial results are not deemed satisfactory and which stewardship tools and activities  are used as part of the escalation. Provide any recent examples of KPIs being successfully achieved through stewardship/engagement and/or of stewardship/engagement activity being escalated. If the strategy can invest in debt instruments that convert into equity shares under certain conditions, please explain if/how voting rights are used.

3.4 Are stewardship/engagement activities integrated into the investment process?

If so, mention how stewardship/engagement activities are integrated. Provide recent examples of how stewardship/engagement activity has influenced investment decisions.

4. Reporting

4.1 Is information disclosed on the responsible investment activities and performance of this strategy?

If so, mention the types of information disclosed (e.g., information on stewardship activity, information on climate performance). List any specific metrics disclosed (e.g., weighted average carbon intensity, carbon footprint) and the portion of strategy holdings that the metrics cover. Describe what is publicly reported and the frequency, and what is provided privately to clients and the frequency.

5. Additional information

5.1 Does the organisation identify and manage the ESG risks, opportunities and impacts connected to its internal operations?

If so, please provide a brief overview. Examples might include initiatives to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint and to enhance the diversity of its investment teams.

5.2 Is there any information on the organisation’s responsible investment approach, not otherwise covered in the DDQ, that you would like to share?

Please use no more than 500 words.

Appendix 1: Indicator mapping