Funds
Kernel KiwiSaver Global ESG Fund
Issues of concern
The graph below shows the percentage of the fund invested in each of the worst issues of concern to New Zealanders. Below the graph are listed all the companies this fund invests in, by issue of concern.
Key:
- Human Rights Violations
- Environmental Harm
- Animal Cruelty
- Weapons
- Fossil Fuels
- Social Harm
Companies of concern
Human Rights Violations
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Meta Platforms Inc-Class A 0.99%
Public Safety
Where companies are involved in significant harm to individuals or communities, through the unsafe nature of their products or delivery of services and inadequate response to evidence of harm.
META PLATFORMS INC-CLASS A Public Safety
Meta is the world’s largest online social network consisting of the Facebook app, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and many features surrounding these products. The company has faced several investigations and legal action linked to privacy-related allegations, including its handling of user data, and breaches of user privacy. Meta has also been criticised for its poor governance model, as well as allowing its platform in non-English speaking countries to be used to incite ethnic violence.
-
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc 0.50%
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC Human Rights Abuses
Thermo Fisher Scientific sells scientific instruments and laboratory equipment, diagnostics consumables, and life science reagents. Thermo Fisher DNA testing kits have been linked to surveillance and discriminatory purposes by the legal authorities in Xinjiang (a region of China) for monitoring and tracking the Muslim Uyghur ethnic group and other minorities. Evidence shows Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to supply DNA sequencing products to the Xinjiang region, despite the company announcing it would halt sales to the region in 2019.
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Uber Technologies Inc 0.34%
Labour Rights Violations
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on labour rights and freedoms; including poor treatment of workers, child and forced labour, and modern slavery.
UBER TECHNOLOGIES INC Labour Rights Violations
Uber is a ride and food delivery service provider. Evidence shows the company has been prioritising revenue growth over driver welfare and user safety. As Uber considers its drivers to be contractors, this limits their employee rights to the minimum wage and other benefits, meaning drivers and vehicles are not subject to the labour standards expected from traditional taxi companies.
-
Rio Tinto PLC 0.19%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
RIO TINTO PLC Fossil Fuel Power Generation Human Rights Abuses
Rio Tinto is a global diversified miner, predominantly in iron ore but also copper, aluminium, diamonds, gold, and industrial minerals. Evidence shows that in 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed Aboriginal 46,000-year-old sacred sites at an iron mine in Western Australia, leaving a considerable impact on the traditional owners from the loss of their heritage. There is also a pattern of evidence showing harmful community-related incidents involving Rio Tinto in West Papua, South Africa, Canada, the United States and Serbia.
Rio Tinto is also involved in fossil fuel power generation, as the company derives revenue from coal power plants through multiple associates and subsidiaries. -
Motorola Solutions Inc 0.12%
War & Conflict
Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC War & Conflict
Motorola is an American provider of communication products, video equipment, telecommunications equipment, software, systems, and services. Motorola Solutions and its subsidiary, Motorola Israel, have been accused of complicity in human rights violations due to its sale of communication products to the Israeli Ministry of Defence in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories are deemed illegal under international law and the United Nations Human Rights Council Report 2023 has identified Motorola as a company providing services supporting the maintenance and existence of these settlements. As of 2023, Motorola is the sole supplier of the 4G cellular network for the Israeli Military and provides their surveillance and security system, which research shows is being used for border surveillance in the occupied Palestinian territories.
-
Caterpillar Inc 0.11%
War & Conflict
Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.
CATERPILLAR INC War & Conflict
Caterpillar, a manufacturer of heavy equipment, power solutions, and locomotives, has a history of supplying the Israeli military. In 2004, Human Rights Watch reported the use of Caterpillar D9 bulldozers in demolishing over 250 Palestinian homes in Gaza, resulting in Palestinian casualties. Subsequently, in 2017, the Israeli military acquired numerous Caterpillar heavy engineering vehicles through a significant deal. The sale was financed by the United States Government, but the deal itself was between the Israeli military and Caterpillar. Incidents involving Caterpillar equipment causing harm to Palestinians have persisted, with recent instances reported as of 2023.
These occurrences include the use of Caterpillar equipment in demolishing Palestinian homes in illegally occupied territories, constructing illegal settlements and their infrastructure on occupied land, as well as building the Separation Wall in the West Bank and the Gaza border wall. Evidence also suggests Caterpillar’s products have been used by third parties in other conflict-affected areas, including Myanmar and the Western Sahara. Caterpillar's continued supply to these conflict areas raises concerns about its complicity in the misuse of its products. -
Bank Hapoalim Bm 0.07%
War & Conflict
Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.
BANK HAPOALIM BM War & Conflict
Bank Hapoalim is one of Israel's largest banks. Evidence shows that for decades Bank Hapoalim has been facilitating the expansion of Israel's settlement enterprise in occupied Palestine by routinely providing loans to construction companies and financing settlement infrastructure projects. Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine are deemed illegal under international law. The United Nations Human Rights Council Report 2023 has identified Bank Hapoalim as a company providing services supporting the maintenance and existence of these settlements, which have been linked to severe human rights violations.
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Bank Leumi Le-Israel 0.07%
War & Conflict
Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.
BANK LEUMI LE-ISRAEL War & Conflict
Bank Leumi is one of Israel's largest banks. Evidence shows that for decades Bank Leumi has been facilitating the expansion of Israel's settlement enterprise in occupied Palestine by routinely providing loans to construction companies to build housing units and financing commercial projects. Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine are deemed illegal under international law. The United Nations Human Rights Council Report 2023 has identified Bank Leumi as a company providing services supporting the maintenance and existence of these settlements, which have been linked to severe human rights violations.
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Rio Tinto Ltd 0.07%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
-
Israel Discount Bank-A 0.03%
War & Conflict
Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.
ISRAEL DISCOUNT BANK-A War & Conflict
Israel Discount Bank is one of Israel's largest banks. The bank has financed the construction of housing projects in multiple Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and has multiple branches in these settlements. Such settlements are deemed illegal under international law. The United Nations Human Rights Council Report 2023 has identified Israel Discount Bank as a company providing services supporting the maintenance and existence of these settlements, which have been linked to severe human rights violations.
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Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd 0.03%
War & Conflict
Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.
MIZRAHI TEFAHOT BANK LTD War & Conflict
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank is a major Israeli bank. The bank has financed the construction of housing projects in multiple Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and has branches in these settlements. Such settlements are deemed illegal under international law and the United Nations Human Rights Council Report 2023 has identified Mizrahi Tefahot Bank as a company providing services supporting the maintenance and existence of these settlements, which have been linked to severe human rights violations.
-
Meta Platforms Inc-Class A 0.99%
Environmental Harm
-
Freeport-Mcmoran Inc 0.10%
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
-
Barrick Gold Corp 0.05%
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
-
Freeport-Mcmoran Inc 0.10%
Animal Cruelty
-
Hermes International 0.28%
Animal Welfare Issues
Where companies, through their products or operations, cause harm to animals e.g., animal entertainment (such as marine parks and rodeos), livestock exports, whale meat etc.
Fur & Speciality Leather
Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).
-
Kering 0.17%
Animal Welfare Issues
Where companies, through their products or operations, cause harm to animals e.g., animal entertainment (such as marine parks and rodeos), livestock exports, whale meat etc.
Fur & Speciality Leather
Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).
KERING Animal Welfare Issues Fur & Speciality Leather
Kering specialises in luxury goods. Evidence shows the company makes several products, including bags, and watch straps from exotic leather, such as crocodile, python and ostrich leather and states that most of its houses do not use fur.
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Tyson Foods Inc-Cl A 0.04%
Factory Farming
Where companies are involved in intensive poultry operations, including managing direct operations which raise birds or managing a network of contracted farmers, slaughtering, packaging and onward sale to wholesalers, retailers, and restaurant chains.
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Hormel Foods Corp 0.03%
Factory Farming
Where companies are involved in intensive poultry operations, including managing direct operations which raise birds or managing a network of contracted farmers, slaughtering, packaging and onward sale to wholesalers, retailers, and restaurant chains.
-
Moncler Spa 0.03%
Fur & Speciality Leather
Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).
-
Swatch Group AG/The-Br 0.02%
Fur & Speciality Leather
Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).
-
Hermes International 0.28%
Fossil Fuels
-
Centrica PLC 0.41%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Rio Tinto PLC 0.19%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
RIO TINTO PLC Fossil Fuel Power Generation Human Rights Abuses
Rio Tinto is a global diversified miner, predominantly in iron ore but also copper, aluminium, diamonds, gold, and industrial minerals. Evidence shows that in 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed Aboriginal 46,000-year-old sacred sites at an iron mine in Western Australia, leaving a considerable impact on the traditional owners from the loss of their heritage. There is also a pattern of evidence showing harmful community-related incidents involving Rio Tinto in West Papua, South Africa, Canada, the United States and Serbia.
Rio Tinto is also involved in fossil fuel power generation, as the company derives revenue from coal power plants through multiple associates and subsidiaries. -
Itochu Corp 0.17%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Mitsui Osk Lines Ltd 0.13%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Public Service Enterprise Gp 0.13%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
PUBLIC SERVICE ENTERPRISE GP Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Public Service Enterprise Group is based in the USA and supplies electricity and natural gas to customers, primarily in New Jersey. Evidence shows that electricity generated from oil and gas accounts from 15% of the company’s total revenue. However, the company is in the process of divesting from their fossil fuel assets and in 2021 they shut down their last coal-fired plant. The company now plans to focus on nuclear power and natural gas and has set a target of net-zero emissions by 2030. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
-
Iberdrola SA 0.12%
1.5°C
This company is on a 1.5°C pathway
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
IBERDROLA SA Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Iberdrola is a Spanish energy company, and one of the largest utilities in the world with electric utility operations in nearly 40 countries. Evidence shows that energy generated from oil and gas accounts for 15% of the company’s revenues. However, the company currently generates 80% of their electricity from renewable sources and have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. The company reports a total investment of EUR €150 billion is planned for this decade to enable its energy transition. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
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Enel Spa 0.08%
1.5°C
This company is on a 1.5°C pathway
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
ENEL SPA Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Enel is Europe’s largest electric utilities company by market capitalisation and holds a 70.1% stake in the energy company, Endesa. Evidence shows that energy generated from fossil fuels accounts for 15% of the company’s revenues. However, the company have announced plans to abandon coal by 2027 and gas by 2040, while investing significantly in expanding their renewable energy capacity. By 2030, the company expects to have invested a total of EUR €70 billion in renewable energy. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
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National Grid PLC 0.08%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Constellation Energy 0.07%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Rio Tinto Ltd 0.07%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
-
E.On Se 0.06%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Nippon Yusen Kk 0.06%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Orsted A/S 0.05%
1.5°C
This company is on a 1.5°C pathway
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
ORSTED A/S Fossil Fuel Production
Ørsted is a Danish power company and Europe’s largest producer of electricity from offshore wind power. The company was previously named Danish Oil and Natural Gas but has now transitioned to generate 91% of its power from renewable sources. The company had previously set a target of ending coal generation by 2023, however, the Danish government recently required the company to extend the operation of its two remaining coal plants to June 2024, along with one oil plant. Ørsted still stands by an overall target of net-zero emissions by 2040 with an interim goal of generating 100% renewable electricity by 2025. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
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Bollore 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Chubu Electric Power Co Inc 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Contact Energy Ltd 0.01%
1.5°C
This company is on a 1.5°C pathway
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
CONTACT ENERGY LTD Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Contact Energy is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest electric utilities companies. Contact operates three thermal power stations that employ gas and diesel. In FY2023, 7% of the energy Contact generated came from thermal generation. However, Contact has announced plans for further investment in renewable generation. This includes NZD 1.2 billion in geothermal power, by constructing a new station and expanding capacity at an existing station, along with early developments in wind and solar generation. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
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Centrica PLC 0.41%
This data is compiled by Mindful Money from the fund information and portfolios
that each KiwiSaver fund has
filed with the Disclose register to 30th Sept. 2023 and Mindful Money
analysis of funds within those portfolios. The list of companies of concern has
been drawn from ratings agencies and public sources, including the Norwegian
Sovereign Fund, NZ Super Fund, Sustainalytics and research organisations.
Please note that companies may breach more than one of these areas of
concern.
The listing of companies of concern is based on definitions used in Mindful Money's
methodology. These definitions may
be different from the exclusions policy and definitions applied by the fund provider.
Mindful Money uses the term Mindful Funds as our standard
for ethical investment and responsible investment. This does not imply that
other funds are unethical or that the fund providers that do not meet these
standards are unethical providers.
About this fund
In their own words
The Kernel Global ESG Fund’s investment objective is to provide a return (before tax, fees and expenses) that closely matches the return on the S&P Developed Ex-Korea LargeMidCap Net Zero 2050 Paris-Aligned ESG ex non-pharma Animal Testing (PAB Ex AT) (NZD) Index
| Value | $1.2M NZD |
| Period of data report | 31st Dec. 2023 |
| Members | 61 |
| Fund started | 3rd July 2023 |
| Total annual fund fees | 0.25% |
| Total performance based fees | 0.0% |
| Manager's basic fee | 0.25% |
| Other management and administration charges | 0.0% |
| Total other charges | 0.0 |
| Total other charges currency | NZD |
Key Personnel
|
Dean Anderson |
Currently: Chief Executive (5 years, 3 months) |
|
Stephen Upton |
Currently: Chief Operating Officer (4 years, 6 months) |
|
Kerry Mcintosh |
Currently: Director (4 years, 6 months) |
|
Paul Hocking |
Currently: Director (4 years, 6 months) |
|
Rhea Prasad |
Currently: Portfolio Manager (1 years, 1 months) |
This information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 31st Dec. 2023.
Past Returns
Past annual returns for this fund are after fees and taxes. Please note that higher past returns do not always mean higher future returns.
| Year | Market Average | Fund Annual Return |
|---|
The market average is the average return for funds of the same risk category, sourced from the Commission for Financial Capability's Sorted website. The fund information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 31st Dec. 2023.
Top 10 Investments
-
Microsoft
United States International Equities4.86% -
Apple Inc
United States International Equities4.28% -
Alphabet
United States International Equities4.16% -
Nvidia Ord
United States International Equities3.69% -
Amazon.Com Inc
United States International Equities3.29% -
Costco Wholesale Corp
United States International Equities2.55% -
Tesla Inc Ordinary Shares
United States International Equities1.37% -
Visa Inc
United States International Equities1.13% -
Meta Platforms Inc (Inactive)
United States International Equities1.12% -
Unitedhealth Group Inc
United States International Equities1.03%
| Type | Target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 0.0% | -0.05% |
| New Zealand Fixed Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| International Fixed Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Australasian Equities | 0.0% | 2.3% |
| International Equities | 100.0% | 97.75% |
| Listed Properties | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Unlisted Properties | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Other | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Commodities | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Investment Mix
How the money in this fund is invested against the fund's targets.
Target
Actual
This information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 31st Dec. 2023.