Integrating sustainability into investments, the organization and leadership is an important starting point and prerequisite for generating a long-term high return on the pension fund assets that AP6 is entrusted with. There are several important factors for maintaining public confidence in AP6 as a state-owned pension fund manager. Among them are consideration of sustainability together with an active approach to minimizing negative impact and to provide a positive contribution. In 2012, AP6 became a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and shortly thereafter, a signatory of the UN Global Compact. The starting point of AP6’s approach to responsible investments and sustainability is the international frameworks and agreements, as expressed in the values of the Swedish State regarding human rights, democracy and sustainable development. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are generally accepted as the current global action plan to accelerate the transition to a sustainable society. The main way that AP6 can contribute to the SDGs is through its investments.
For many years, AP6 has had an active, long-term approach to responsible investments and has been integrating sustainability into all aspects of its operations. There are well defined processes for integrating sustainability into the investment phase and ownership through communication of expectations and continuous assessment, monitoring and dialogue. In the role as an indirect investor in various types of businesses, operating in different sectors and geographic locations requires a broad approach to sustainability that covers human rights, labor rights, the environment and anti-corruption.