Highlights leadership in global initiatives; performance of sustainable investment strategies; engagements on working conditions, opioid and pharmaceutical accountability; and more.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Capozzi
Managing Director, Communications
(847) 866-4111
[email protected]

Glenview, IL—Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath) today released its new Sustainable Investment Report. The report details Wespath’s approach to sustainable investment, shares highlights from the past two years and reviews the performance of the agency’s investment strategies focused on environmental and social opportunities.

“We produce these reports every two years, and the process always prompts us to pause and reflect on how Wespath has influenced a more sustainable economy in the recent past,” Wespath General Secretary and CEO Andy Hendren said in the report. “Each time a Sustainable Investment Report is published, I am heartened by how our sustainable investing approach supports our mission to care for those who serve.”

The report describes Wespath’s “Sustainable Economy Framework”—a foundation for action which describes the organization’s vision for an economy that promotes long-term prosperity for all (with equal opportunity for advancement), social cohesion (with reliable access to basic necessities) and environmental health (with resilient ecosystems).

“We believe an economy aligned with these three pillars will develop healthy financial markets and resilient companies, thereby improving overall market outcomes and delivering exceptional investment returns over the long-term,” Wespath Chief Investment Officer Dave Zellner said in the report.

The report also spotlights Wespath’s strategic partners and industry collaborations which allow it to implement its Framework on a global scale. In-depth interviews with collaborators are also featured, focusing on themes like climate change, working conditions, opioid and pharmaceutical accountability, and more.

Report Highlights

Highlights from Wespath’s 2021–2022 Sustainable Investment Report include:

• Since-inception performance of Wespath’s low-carbon solutions strategies, including the Transition Ready Portfolio strategies it co-created with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager
• Recent investments in affordable housing properties made through the Positive Social Purpose (PSP) Lending Program, as well as the since-inception performance of the program
• Co-leadership of the Investors for Opioid and Pharmaceutical Accountability, a coalition that engages pharmaceutical companies involved in the opioid business
• Engagements focused on improving working conditions and worker safety with industry-leading meat processors and the dollar store industry
• Collaboration with fellow United Methodist agencies on a shared commitment to achieve net-zero emissions
• Action by Wespath’s employee-led Green Team and DEI Council to promote environmental sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace