Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

We believe incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities into investment analysis and decision-making provides tangible benefits to investors, including risk mitigation, the identification of investment opportunities and improved valuations.

Diligence

Incorporate ESG risks and opportunities in our investment analysis and decision-making

Ownership

Engage portfolio companies on material ESG risks and opportunities

Transparency

Provide our stakeholders with greater visibility into our ESG integration

Responsible Investment Practices Provide Tangible Benefits to Investors

Companies with strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices mitigate certain risks of the investments. Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors is a signatory of the internationally-recognized Principles for Responsible Investment since 2019, and actively engaged in DE&I initiatives.

Our Impact in GHG Emissions

The cumulative renewable infrastructure investments made by companies in our investment universe avoid over 1.4 billion tons of CO2 annually.1 You can equate that to:

Powering

0

million homes

Offsetting

0

coal-fired plants in one year

Taking

0

million cars off the road

1Source: Kayne estimate as of June 30, 2022
In accordance with the firm’s ESG policy, we strive to incorporate ESG into the following aspects of our investment process:

integrate material ESG risks and opportunities in our investment process

engage portfolio companies on material ESG risks and opportunities

to provide our stakeholders with greater visibility into our ESG initiatives

ESG Integration

Assess

Monitor

Engage

Considering ESG risks has long been a part of our fundamental equity investment process for many years. When our investment team initiates coverage of a new company in our investment universe, the assigned analyst is responsible for identifying material ESG risks and making an assessment regarding a company’s management of these risks.
In addition to our fundamental equity evaluation process described above, eligible companies for the Kayne Anderson Renewable Infrastructure Partners must also meet the following criteria:
1. A long-term strategy that reflects a commitment to de-carbonize their energy mix and promote the development of renewable energy infrastructure
2. Explicit goal to phase out any existing coal assets
Once an investment is made, we actively monitor holdings as part of our fundamental process. Material ESG controversies are identified and discussed in our weekly analyst meetings and quarterly earnings updates.
As shareholders, we consider active ownership a fundamental component of our investment process. When material ESG controversies occur, or we determine that a holding has limited ESG disclosure, analysts may directly engage management to address the issue. We believe that direct dialogue provides our investment team with greater insights and enables them to make more informed investment decisions. In addition, we consider proxy voting an important aspect of our fiduciary duty to clients. We carefully consider the merits of both management and shareholder proposals and evaluate them on a case by case basis, consistent with our proxy voting guidelines .

Renewable Energy Addresses Climate Change

Source: EIA

The growth of global energy demand is fueling the increase in carbon emissions, particularly in emerging markets, where coal is the predominant energy source. With the U.S. energy Information Administration (EIA) projecting global energy demand to increase by nearly 50% by 2050, carbon emissions will continue to rise in the absence of continued investments and developments in renewable energy. The growth in energy demand is in large part due to the global population, which the United Nations’ estimates will reach 9.7 billion by 2050.

Investment in renewable energy is an important step to address global climate change. Increasing the supply of renewable energy directly replaces carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, the renewable energy industry has undergone significant change. The advancement of renewable technologies and rapid reductions in cost have accelerated the deployment of renewable solutions.

Source: IRENA

Investor Initiatives

X At Kayne Anderson, diversity, equity, and inclusion is a priority and a cornerstone to our philosophy as a firm. In pursuit of continued celebration of our diversity, Kayne Anderson has a dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council that reports directly to our executive committee.

DE&I

X The Principles for Responsible Investment are a set of six principles developed by an international group of institutional investors, reflecting the increasing relevance of ESG issues to investment practices. In signing, we commit to adopt and implement these principles, where consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were unanimously adopted the 193 Members States at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015. The SDGs include a universal set of 17 goals, 169 targets and 232 unique indicators to help organizations monitor and assess their progress. The SDGs represent the priorities of governments, corporations, investors, and NGOs to enhance peace and prosperity, eradicate poverty and protect the planet. Infrastructure companies, specifically renewable infrastructure entities, are well positioned to contribute to the SDGs. Roll over each of the illuminated SDGs below to learn more about some key goals our universe of companies is actively working towards achieving.
Business can accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy system by investing in renewable energy resources, prioritizing energy efficient practices, and adopting clean energy infrastructure

600 million new jobs need to be created by 2030 to keep pace with the growth of the working age population. Businesses are engines for job creation and economic growth, and they foster economic activity through their value chain. 

By committing to sustainable industrialization, businesses can contribute to development efforts through upgrading local infrastructure, investing in resilient energy technologies, and making these technologies available to all people. 

Companies can decarbonize their operations and supply chains, reduce the carbon footprint of their operations, set ambitious emissions reductions targets and scale up investment in the development of low-carbon products and services.

ESG & Compliance

Mike Lombardo

Mike Lombardo

Head of ESG Strategy

Mike O'Neil

Chief Compliance Officer

Matt Barbabella

General Counsel