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Baillie Gifford

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Investment capability

ESG focus

We use the term ESG focus to cover products with defined sustainability characteristics relating to environmental and social matters. 

A rubber dinghy inside a large ice cave in Greenland.

What is ESG focus?

All our strategies consider a broad range of issues that could affect their holdings’ long-term growth, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. But some go further to look explicitly for assets with defined sustainability characteristics. That definition may be narrow, for example, alignment with a climate objective or the exclusion of assets that don’t meet environmental or social standards. Or it may be broad, including assets promoting environmental or social outcomes.

How does Baillie Gifford achieve ESG focus?

Our strategies explicitly focus on identifying investments with environmental and/or social characteristics. They achieve this either through reducing negative impacts or promoting positive outcomes. In all cases, the assets must also have the potential to generate strong returns over the long term for you.  

For further-reaching goals, you may wish to explore our impact capability. 

ESG-focus strategies

  1. Jungrau mountain peak during alpen glow at sunset. View from First, Grindelwald, Switzerland.

    Defensive Growth

    Actively-managed exposure to different asset classes, seeking to deliver a good level of return over the long-term within clear risk and carbon limits.
  2. One man exploring beautiful Ice cave close to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

    Global Alpha Paris Aligned

    Climate-conscious investing in exceptional growth companies worldwide, using investment floor insights to find diverse opportunities.
  3. Drone view of a car crossing a bridge in Iceland with blue steams of glacier water.

    Responsible Global Alpha

    Invest with ambition: We aim to unlock exceptional growth potential through long-term, sustainable competitive advantage.
  4. An aerial view of a sailing boat floating on still water with clouds reflected on the surface.

    Responsible Global Alpha Paris Aligned

    Responsibly investing in diverse growth companies, addressing the climate crisis with flexibility and open-mindedness to unlock varied opportunities.
  5. Cyclist riding up on road in the mountains.

    Responsible Global Equity Income

    We believe in the potential power of dividend compounding for enduring income and long-term capital growth success.
  6. Aurora Borealis. as viewed from space.

    Sustainable Growth

    Seeking out companies that could benefit society and shareholders, and deliver lasting growth and positive impact for all.
  7. Nautilus shell cut in half, showing inside of shell and chambers in profile.

    Sustainable Income

    We prioritise long-term income over short-term yield, with the aim of delivering investors a sustainable and enduring stream of returns.

All our investment capabilities

Filtered by
  1. Caving team at the bottom of a deep cave wearing torches, with ropes hanging from the daylight above.

    Core growth

    Large, diverse portfolios of growth-focused holdings built with benchmarks and reduced volatility in mind.
  2. The Valencia City of Arts and Sciences at sunset.

    Equity and multi-asset income

    Seeking both dependable income and long-term capital growth.
  3. Two adventure cyclists on a single track road in the Scottish Highlands.

    Fixed income

    Targeting company and government bonds with a focus on long-term outcomes.
  4. Asian woman working in vegetable greenhouse.

    Flexible growth

    Portfolios containing a mix of firms focused on disruption, steady compounding and timely capital allocation.
  5. A honey hunter hanging off a cliff on a rope ladder.

    High growth

    Concentrated portfolios of fast-growth companies, typically holding between 25 and 50 stocks.
These ESG categories are Baillie Gifford’s own. We do not intend them to align with any jurisdiction’s current or future regulatory regimes. We assign products to these categories at an investment strategy level. You should not assume that any portfolio (including any funds) managed under the relevant strategy will align with the strategy’s ESG categorisation. Investors should refer to a fund’s prospectus or other offering documents to ascertain its approach to ESG investment.