The Fund prohibits investment in companies generating revenue from specific activities including tobacco manufacturing, controversial weapons production, promotion, distribution, or sale, and the sale or distribution of 'X'-rated material. Additionally, it refrains from investing in companies with over 10% revenue from alcohol manufacturing, gambling, fossil fuel extraction (including thermal coal, metallurgical coal, oil, and gas), electricity generation from thermal coal, or uranium extraction.

The Maple-Brown Abbott Australian Sustainable Future Fund seeks to invest in companies that contribute to one or more of the sustainable investment themes that are informed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The positive screen seeks out companies where Maple-Brown Abbott believes their activities, products or services promote a sustainable future. Any company the Fund invests in must contribute meaningfully to one or more of the following Themes: Health and wellbeing, by providing access to medical care and services or supporting an ageing and healthy population; Innovation and technology, by advancing social outcomes through education and developing technology and innovative products and services; Circular economy, by reducing waste and pollution through recycling, reuse, and regeneration of materials and sustainable use of natural resources; Low carbon future, by providing materials, infrastructure, and technology for clean energy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions; Better communities, by offering products and services that support a safe, prosperous, and connected society; Sustainable infrastructure, by designing, building, maintaining, and providing materials and goods for systems and structures that support socially and environmentally resilient urban development; Inclusive finance, by enabling access to appropriate and affordable financial products and services; and Food production and distribution, by facilitating the production and distribution of safe, healthy, high-quality food.

Maple-Brown has been a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) since 2008. It also is a signatory to the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures, Transition Pathway Initiative and Net Zero Asset Manager initiative, and member of RIAA and FAIRR. Investor collaborations that Maple-Brown participates in include Climate Action 100+ and Investors Against Slavery and Trafficking Asia Pacific.