In 2022, the footprint benchmark results for the Triodos Impact Equities and Bond funds were on average:
• GHG emissions: 52% lower than the benchmark
• Water use: 82% lower than the benchmark
• Landfill waste production: 2% higher than the benchmark
These footprint and benchmark figures, received from external data providers, give an indication of the funds' sustainability performance as an outcome of the funds' strict impact selection and exclusion criteria. The carbon and water footprints of the IEB funds showed lower environmental impacts of the portfolio companies’ activities compared to those of the benchmark.
The higher than benchmark landfill waste footprint is mainly related to the investment in a number of paper (packaging) companies promoting the transition from plastic to paper packaging. Since landfill waste is defined as all waste eligible to be disposed of via landfills, it includes paper and plastic packaging, which in many instances can be recycled so they do not end up in landfill. We consciously accept that a handful of investments with positive overall impact results in the funds have a larger waste footprint than the reference index, as we firmly believe these companies deliver a positive impact on problems like plastics pollution in our oceans.
The benchmark with which the Triodos Impact Equities and Bond funds compare differs per fund and type of footprint. These are: MSCI World, MSCI World Small & Mid Cap Index, MSCI World Impact ESG Select Children’s Rights Index and customised benchmarks for the Triodos Impact Mixed funds and the Triodos Bond Impact funds.