The investment manager has $250 million invested in a range of social programs and environmental projects
Conscious achieved a 5 out of 5 impact rating for its investments in Specialist Disability Accommodation and the Victorian Social and Affordable Housing program, according to the Impact Management Project’s (IMP) rating methodology which is the global consensus.
The fund manager rated a score of 4 for its investment in Distributed Solar, and 3 for both its Seniors Housing and Affordable Housing investments.
Under the IMP methodology, a score of 3 means the investment was of benefit to stakeholders, while a score of 3.5 or above means the investment made a positive contribution to achieving a solution.
Founded in 2019, Conscious manages around $250 million in funds from a range of investors comprising high net worth individuals, charitable foundations and institutional investors.
The firm has invested in eight assets, with the backing of 414 investors and eight impact partners.
The flagship fund is the Conscious Investment Management Impact fund, which returned 5.3% for the year to the end of September.
The impact report shows that the investments generated 3022 MWh of renewable energy, equivalent to saving 2568 tonnes of atmospheric carbon emissions or 10,249 trees planted.
Conscious also provided mezzanine financing for 2441 affordable housing dwellings, financed 177 social and affordable dwellings, financed 48 distributed solar assets and financed 128 dwellings for seniors and people living with disabilities.
‘Our portfolio aims to deliver positive social or environmental benefit, and this report represents the first phase in measuring and reporting on our impact journey,’ said Casey Taylor, Conscious director.
‘We hope to grow together with our investors and impact partners to contribute to better outcomes withing housing, solar and social impact bonds.’