Stewardship in Action
At Wespath, stewardship means more than managing assets. It means using our influence to create real-world change. Our sustainable investment approach is not to create the “cleanest” or “purest” portfolio, because it rarely sparks change. For example, we know that not investing in certain industries won’t solve global challenges like climate change or housing insecurity. Instead, we use all available tools—including affordable housing investment and engagement with corporations and asset managers to advocate for responsible business practices—to make a measurable difference in the world we share.1
Affordable Housing Investment Through the PSP Lending Program
Wespath’s Positive Social Purpose (PSP) Lending Program helps address the affordable housing crisis in the U.S. while also seeking market-rate returns. Since its launch in 1990, the PSP Lending Program has invested more than $2.1 billion in affordable housing.
Many of the PSP Lending Program’s affordable housing communities provide residents with a built-in support system. For example, residents of Thirteen31 Place Apartments in Milwaukee, Wisconsin have access to rehabilitation, vocational and employment assistance; general health services; income support and benefits; and consumer and family support.
The PSP Lending Program has invested in properties in all 50 U.S. states. Check out our highlights and property map page to find a PSP property near you.
Driving Methane Reductions Through Shareholder Engagement
After sustained shareholder engagement from Wespath and other Climate Action 100+ investors, Chevron announced in 2024 it would join the United Nations program to measure, report and reduce methane emissions. Wespath also contributed to engagements that successfully influenced ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips to join the program.
Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a powerful greenhouse gas and a focus area for sustainable investing. Using currently available technology, an estimated 75% of methane emissions from the oil and gas industry can be mitigated by 2030. A significant amount of that reduction is achievable at a minimal cost due to the value of the otherwise wasted natural gas.
Making the Business Case for Diversity
Wespath is a member of the Midwest Investors Diversity Initiative (MIDI), which seeks to increase racial, ethnic and gender diversity on corporate boards and within workforces. Wespath believes its work with MIDI is in our investors’ best interest—and that belief is supported by the consulting firm McKinsey & Company’s research. McKinsey has consistently found that companies with higher levels of diverse representation on executive teams have a higher likelihood to outperform peers.
MIDI has engaged over 90 Midwest-based companies since it launched in 2016. When these companies appointed a new board director, 57% of the directors were women or people of color. The initiative is now also engaging with members’ asset managers—including BlackRock and Fidelity Investments—thanks in part to Wespath’s suggestion.
Building on a Legacy of Sustainable Investing Leadership
Wespath has long been internationally recognized as a leader in sustainable investing. In 2006, the United Nations invited Wespath to co-author the Principles for Responsible Investment, and we continue to shape the future of sustainable investing and impact investing through ongoing innovation and influence.
Wespath leads international sustainable investment initiatives representing trillions in assets under management. Wespath has also contributed to, or co-authored, seven globally distributed sustainable investment publications since 2023. For example, Wespath co-authored a paper that provides investors with a tool to assess where human rights harms may become financially material.
1Wespath implements sustainable investment strategies for investment funds made available through its subsidiaries.