Overview
First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment Institute is a research institute focused on advancing understanding of sustainable investing and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. It was jointly launched in May 2021 by First Sentier Investors and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). Its establishment reflects a commitment to deepen industry insight into sustainability factors that influence investment decisions and long-term outcomes.
The Institute operates independently in research terms, commissioning and publishing reports that explore under-researched or emerging sustainability topics and their implications for investors, companies and policymakers.
First Sentier MUFG Sustainability
Mission and focus areas
The Institute’s core mission is to advance industry debate on sustainable investing by producing rigorous research and practical insights. It seeks to enhance awareness of ESG trends, best practice and sustainability risks that can affect long-term investment performance.
Its thematic research covers a broad spectrum of sustainability-related areas, including climate risk, natural resources, social impacts, modern slavery, biodiversity, batteries and food systems. These outputs are designed to inform investor decision-making and understanding of systemic sustainability challenges.
The Institute also collaborates with global research groups, consultants and academics to enrich its analysis and elevate the relevance of its findings to diverse stakeholder groups.
Structure and governance
The Institute is supported by its two founding sponsors, First Sentier Group and MUFG , which provide strategic input and resource backing.
An external Academic Advisory Board, comprising experts from academia and the sustainability field, guides the research agenda and ensures methodological rigour.
The Institute’s internal team includes research analysts and leadership with experience in ESG research and finance, reflecting a blend of industry and research expertise.
Programs and offerings
The Institute’s primary outputs are independent research reports, investor briefings and educational insights focused on topics relevant to sustainable investing.
These resources aim to support asset managers, investors, regulators and other stakeholders in understanding complex sustainability issues and integrating ESG considerations into investment and corporate practices.
Its publications provide data-driven analysis and context for emerging sustainability trends, making them useful tools for professionals engaged in sustainable finance and responsible investment.
Our purpose
Providing insights to investors that will contribute to a better understanding of how sustainability should be considered in investment approaches. We commission research on sustainability issues, looking in detail at a specific topic from different viewpoints. This research will help investors, individuals, companies, policy makers and regulators better understand how their decisions can contribute to better outcomes for the environment and society. The institute aims to provide research on topics that can advance sustainable investing. This will include examining market trends and practices that the investment industry must address if it is to make an active and positive contribution. These topics may include behavioural, societal, cultural, macro and systemic changes, impacts of regulation and how such trends impact the performance of companies, sectors, and economies, and influence the allocation of capital by investors.
