The Fund excludes any companies that are involved in the production of tobacco and tobacco-based products,  production of controversial weapons, or companies lacking a responsible animal testing policy or those legally unbound to such practices. Additionally, it does not invest in regions where human rights violations are rampant, civil liberties are consistently infringed upon, and where government failure leads to significant ethical and security concerns for its citizens.

Candriam imposes specific revenue-based thresholds to further refine its investment universe. Companies deriving over 10% of their revenue from the sale or production of alcoholic beverages, thermal coal extraction or power generation, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) activities without a responsible policy in place are excluded. The threshold tightens to 5% for firms involved in oil and gas extraction, gambling and its associated product manufacturing, and the media production of adult content. Additionally, a distinct boundary is set regarding the nuclear industry: companies must not exceed a 5% revenue generation from uranium extraction, conversion, and enrichment in emerging markets, nor 30% in developed markets. 

Candriam's sustainable approach to investing includes an assessment of a broad range of ESG factors in its investment process and incorporates this assessment for the purposes of selecting, retaining or realising the investments in the Fund. Risk adjusted return scores of the companies in the ESG universe are used by the Fund Manager in combination with ESG and risk management criteria to construct optimal portfolios.

ESG engagement and proxy voting are an essential part of Candriam's sustainable approach with policies established and reporting provided. Candriam's engagement takes the form of a direct and individual dialogue between ESG analysts and the representatives of the company and other stakeholders. Candriam's voting policy favours resolutions that support sustainable development principles in accordance with Candriam's ESG framework. The goal is to raise the awareness of companies and to receive additional information from companies on specific topics, to encourage them to think about these issues and adopt transparency and, indirectly, to get them to take responsibility when it comes to certain specific themes relating to ESG.

Ausbil is a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Candriam conducts a norms-based examination of companies in order to determine whether companies comply with the principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).