Sustainable Investing

The integration of financially material environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors in our fundamental research enhances our understanding of investment risks and opportunities.

ESG  Integration in Our Investment Process

Consistent with our emphasis on active management, our ESG integration approach emphasizes proprietary analysis rather than third-party ratings.

Beyond Third-Party Ratings	Because they’re based largely on publicly available data, third-party ratings don’t always convey the nuanced factors that affect a company’s ESG profile—or assess how material these factors are to financial performance. Furthermore, the availability of ratings data varies.
Opportunities for Active Managers	Digging deeper to find information that isn’t readily available and scrutinizing that information to determine what it means for a company’s prospects is the essence of our fundamental, bottom-up research process.
A More Nuanced Approach	Our research analysts develop relationships with corporate management teams and seek to understand how sustainability aligns with longer-term strategy and financial performance—a more thoughtful, nuanced approach we believe can create significant value for our clients.

Stewardship

Our investment teams routinely meet with investee companies and engage on financially material ESG issues. In 2024, William Blair Investment Management engaged with 149 companies in 23 different countries across our equity strategies. In addition, our emerging markets debt team conducted 25 engagements in 6 different countries, including sovereign and corporate issuers.

Our Commitments

William Blair Investment Management 2025 PRI Scores

PRI Reporting Module	William Blair	PRI Median
Policy Governance and Strategy
Direct—Listed Equity Active Fundamental
Direct—Fixed Income—SSA (Sovereign, Supranational, and Agency)
Direct—Fixed Income—Corporate
Confidence Building Measures

See our proxy voting activity

Resources and Insights

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Integration Policy

William Blair Investment Management believes in the importance of integrating key environmental, social, and governance considerations into our investment processes.

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2024 UK Stewardship Code Report

As fiduciaries to asset owners, we commit to being responsible stewards of their capital in line with being a signatory to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment.

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Approach to Climate Change

William Blair Investment Management strives to invest and operate for a sustainable future and to create enduring value for our clients, colleagues, and communities.

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Our Values in Action: 2024 Sustainability Report

For 90 years, our success has been driven by our ability to evolve thoughtfully to meet our clients’ changing needs. Our focus on building a sustainable future is no different.

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ESG Integration Across the Cap Spectrum

With large- and small-cap companies in different stages of ESG adoption, tracking, and reporting, we believe investors should take a tailored approach to engagement to drive the most positive outcomes.

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Financial Inclusion Drives Investment Opportunities

Emerging markets debt investors can gain exposure to financial inclusion via companies with diverse geographies, business operations, and risk profile.

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5 Forces Fueling the Energy Transition

As growth investors, we focus on global megatrends such as the energy transition—a long-term phenomenon supported by diverse catalysts, creating compelling opportunities in non-U.S. equities.

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Strengthening ESG Standards in Emerging Markets: A Catalyst for Investments and Growth

The encouraging trend of positive initiatives, such as improved corporate governance codes, heightened environmental disclosures, and efforts to promote gender diversity, underscores the growing significance of ESG in emerging markets.

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Volts and Vaults: Where Industrial Demand Meets Precious Momentum

Investors increasingly view metals as strategic holdings rather than cyclical trades.

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India's Renewable Energy Evolution

Alexandra Symeonidi speaks to us from India, where she gained insight into the country’s growing renewable energy sector and other green energy opportunities.

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Diamonds Disrupted

In the luxury goods market, there has been growing consumer preference for sustainable products -- particularly for diamonds and other fine jewelry.

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Please carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the William Blair SICAV. This and other important information is contained in the prospectus and Key Investor Information Document (KIID). Read these documents carefully before investing. The information contained on this website is not a substitute for those documents or for professional external advice.

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Issued in the United Kingdom by William Blair International, Ltd., authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and is only directed at and is only made available to persons falling within articles 19, 38, 47, and 49 of the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (all such persons being referred to as "relevant persons").

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Issued in Australia by William Blair Investment Management, LLC (“William Blair”), which is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services license under Australia's Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). William Blair is registered as an investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and regulated by the SEC under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which differs from Australian laws. This material is intended only for wholesale clients.

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Issued in Canada by William Blair Investment Management, LLC, which relies on the international adviser exemption, pursuant to section 8.26 of National Instrument 31-103 in Canada.

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