The SDG Assessment Score reflects how well a fund’s portfolio companies align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — a global set of objectives including targets such as climate action, clean energy, education, and water access. It provides a quantified estimate of the fund’s overall exposure to companies that contribute positively or negatively to these goals. 

This score is calculated as a net weighted average of the SDG Solutions Scores of the companies held in the fund. Each company’s SDG Solutions Score, in turn, is based on the most significant positive and negative contributions its products, services, and business activities make to the SDGs. Only the most distinct scores — the highest positive and/or lowest negative — are included, to focus the assessment on the most relevant impacts. The SDG Solutions Score for each company, and the aggregated SDG Assessment Score at fund level, range from -10 (strong net negative impact) to +10 (strong net positive impact). 

A higher SDG Assessment Score indicates that, on average, the fund allocates more capital to companies that provide solutions aligned with the SDGs, while having limited exposure to companies with obstructive impacts. The score helps identify funds that are invested in businesses with a net-positive sustainability profile and can therefore be suitable for value-oriented investors.  

However, it is important to emphasise that the SDG Assessment Score is a measure of alignment, not of impact. It does not capture whether the fund itself causes any sustainability outcomes or changes in company behaviour. In other words, it shows where a fund is currently invested, not whether it has improved sustainability performance through that investment. 

If no score is available for a fund, this typically means that the fund did not meet the minimum data coverage requirements — for example, if a significant portion of holdings could not be assessed due to lack of revenue breakdowns or insufficient SDG relevance. 

For detailed methodology and definitions, please refer to the ISS ESG Fund Rating Methodology document.