LOG IN Forms Contact Us Institutional Investor? Visit Wespath.com Retirement & Investments Health & Well-Being Plan Sponsor Services About Wespath SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT Investing for performance. Investing for impact. Our priority is your financial future. We believe sustainable investment activities strengthen our potential to consistently provide strong, long-term financial returns and help you reach your investment objectives. We take a comprehensive approach to sustainable investment that considers the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors as they relate to investment management. We also seek to shape our investment program with the future in mind. We organize these efforts through our Sustainable Economy Framework. This framework describes our belief that investors must create and support a sustainable global economy—one that promotes long-term prosperity for all, social cohesion and environmental health. We use a set of actions—invest, engage and avoid—to ensure we are proactively contributing to the Sustainable Economy Framework. We invest in companies that demonstrate meaningful social and environmental impact to seek higher returns. We actively engage companies and policymakers by urging them to adopt sustainable practices and policies. Finally, we avoid certain investments due to ethical exclusions or because they pose excessive sustainability-related financial risks. Sustainable Investment Resources 2019-2020 Report Infographic Success Stories 2019-2020 Sustainable Investment Report This biennial report features sustainable investment highlights including our latest climate action work, COVID-19 response, and engagements on human rights and opioid accountability. Read the Report Investment Exclusions Wespath seeks to avoid investing in companies that produce and/or provide products and services that are not aligned with United Methodist values, or that reflect excessive sustainability risk. Learn more Shareholder Engagement Wespath urges global policymakers and corporations to administer sustainable practices and policies, which we believe will lead to greater financial security and improved investment returns. Learn more Impact Investing Wespath often invests in specific initiatives with the stated objective of strengthening local and global communities while also producing market rates of return. We call this “impact investing.” We are pleased to be a leading impact investor with a lengthy track record of investing for strong returns and positive outcomes. Learn more Positive Social Purpose Lending Program Wespath invests in affordable housing and community development loans in the U.S. as well as other lending opportunities for underserved populations around the world. Learn more Human Rights Wespath seeks to influence positive change and advocate for human rights around the globe to further the development of healthy financial markets and resilient companies leading to greater financial security for our participants and institutional investors. Learn more Climate Change Wespath's Climate Action Plan provides a framework for all our climate-related investment activities, helping us identify, assess and systematically manage climate-related risks and opportunities. Learn more Proxy Voting Proxy voting is an important tool for fiduciaries, as it offers one way to express concerns and encourage sustainable business practices. Learn more Strategic Partners Wespath collaborates with other sustainable investors and organizations dedicated to corporate accountability and sustainability. Learn more Public Policy Statements Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath) periodically writes letters to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding proposed rules. Learn more Wespath Cares Videos This video series shares the stories of the individuals who are positively impacted by the microfinance loans made available through our PSP Lending Program. Learn more Wespath Benefits and Investments implements the sustainable investment strategies for investment funds made available through it and its subsidiaries, including Wespath Institutional Investments. Except where noted, our investments are screened in accordance with the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church. Wespath’s board of directors approves these guidelines. Wespath was one of the original signatories to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), a multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to promoting and incorporating environmental, social and governance factors into investment decision-making. Learn more about the PRI and Wespath’s involvement in this initiative. Caring for those who serve since 1908 Resources Events Contact Us Visit our website for Institutional Investors: Wespath.com Address 1901 Chestnut Ave., Glenview, IL 60025 Phone 800-851-2201 Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Sitemap Careers FAQ © 2021 Wespath Benefits and Investments, a general agency of The United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved. The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church, Incorporated in Illinois, a general agency of The United Methodist Church ("Wespath") is a not-for-profit corporation and is exempt from U.S. federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates Wespath provides administrative and investment services to benefit plans for plan sponsors controlled by or affiliated with The United Methodist Church (the "Church") and also provides certain administrative and investment services to institutional investors organized and operated exclusively for religious, benevolent, or charitable purposes which are related to the Church.