In last year’s annual report, this section focused on Argus’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) project. This year, we’ve revised these efforts as sustainability. This broader terminology encompasses more than just pure ESG and is a better description of the work we’re doing.
Sustainability is something that many companies are working on but for Argus, sustainability has been key to our operating philosophy.
At Argus, sustainability means the integration of social equity, economic, and environmental considerations to create healthy, diverse, and resilient communities for this generation and those to come
We’ve always had a strong social element. If you think of where we operate, in small island nations, our customers, our colleagues, and our shareholders are also our friends, our family, and our neighbours. Having stakeholders who are more than just shareholders has been a natural way of life for us for a long time.
We also believe sustainability is about more than the environment. Customers want to do business with companies that have similar values, which means more than working on environmental factors. They want to know that we’re a good company, with solid values and that we are ethical.
Current and future colleagues want to work for a company with strong core values and fair sustainability practices. They want to be associated with an organisation with strong social corporate responsibility practices that is actively engaged in social issues and directly addresses diversity, equity and inclusion.
Our focus is not on short-term gain, on things that are profitable today, at the expense of tomorrow. The ultimate goal is leave a better world for future generations.
Current and future colleagues want to work for a company with strong core values and fair sustainability practices.
Our People
When it comes to sustainability and our colleagues, our goal is to provide our people with a rewarding, inclusive, equitable, and fun environment in which to work. Happy employees provide outstanding customer service which has a strong impact on the bottom line.
Being a fair and inclusive organisation is important to us. It’s a focus of the organisation. As we implement a comprehensive anti-racism strategy, Argus leaders understand and will be responsible for making changes to eliminate institutionalised and systemic racism. Leaders will also take responsibility for learning and understanding what that looks like.
Our customers and patients
For our customers and patients, we strive to deliver meaningful and sustainable financial, physical, and mental wellbeing outcomes for our customers and patients.
Our shareholders
We aim to be responsible stewards of capital, providing strong returns together with effective and timely communications. Businesses with good sustainability practices have longevity
Our community
We’re active in the inter-connected communities in which we operate. Our actions ensure the long-term sustainable growth for our business, and in the countries in which we work. We support local communities through financial donations, volunteer work, or programmes like donating office space to entrepreneurial charitable organisations.
Our goal is to provide our people with a rewarding, inclusive, equitable, and fun environment in which to work.
Our Environment
Argus’ carbon footprint
We’re working to be more energy efficient: reducing the office spaces we occupy globally; installing energy efficient lights; banning plastic and single-use cups, disposable cutlery and plates, amongst other initiatives. We will develop a plan to determine our carbon footprint baseline.
Investments
We’re ensuring that our investment portfolio incorporates sustainability practices. We target investments in companies with above average ESG scores. We exclude stocks related to alcohol and tobacco production, weapons manufacture, and coal extraction. And we buy green bonds when we can. All our investment managers are signatories to the UN Principles for Responsible Investing.
Our balance sheet
We assess the risks on the liabilities side of our balance sheet, represented by the types of business we underwrite, where there may also be exciting commercial opportunities. This will be an increasing area of focus in coming years.
Sustainability at Argus Report
For the first time this year, we have written a separate sustainability report. It provides an in-depth view of where we are as an organisation and how we are integrating sustainability into our practices and policies.
We target investments in companies with above average ESG scores. We exclude stocks related to alcohol and tobacco production, weapons manufacture, and coal extraction.