Aberdeen Standard Investments has launched a Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Equity Fund.

The fund is called the Aberdeen Standard SICAV I - Emerging Markets Sustainable and Responsible (SRI) Investment Equity Fund.

It will aim to generate strong long-term performance by allocating money to ESG (environmental, social and governance) companies in emerging markets and those seeking to improve ESG practices and sustainability standards.

ASI says in addition to the fund’s holdings enjoying “better ESG metrics” than sector peers, it has a lower carbon footprint than the index.

The new portfolios cover companies that have been identified through a bottom-up assessment of the sustainability of their business models and ESG performance.

The new fund is part of ASI’s strategy for sustainable development. It is the first of two responsible investment strategies that will be launched by ASI’s 57-strong Emerging Markets team in 2020, the firm says.

Fiona Manning, investment director at Aberdeen Standard Investments, said: “The new SRI Fund combines two key strengths of our business  - emerging market and ESG investment. 

“We have a long history in emerging markets investment and ESG considerations have been incorporated in our stock analysis and decision-making for over 25 years. We have identified companies which we believe to be sustainable leaders or improvers.  With this approach  we can reduce risk, enhance potential value for our investors and invest in companies that can contribute positively to the world.”