How we invest

Responsible investing

Seeking competitive returns while making a positive impact

TIAA's expertise, innovation and resources have enabled Nuveen, the investment manager of TIAA, to establish a leadership position in responsible investing: enhancing long-term performance, managing risk and creating opportunity. Read more about this approach.
Spotlight

Protecting the interests of our clients and our planet

The TIAA General Account (GA) is taking a bold step by committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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Principles

How Nuveen invests responsibly

At Nuveen, responsible investing is more than a philosophy; it is an essential part of our history and our future. We believe that three principles are critical to unlocking investment potential:
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ESG INTEGRATION
We incorporate material environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into our investment process using ESG data, research and tools.
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Engagement
We use our influence with companies to help improve ESG management, performance and disclosure.
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Impact
We measure, manage and drive positive environmental and social impact through our investing practices.

We evaluate investments based on the following factors:

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Environmental
Climate impact, energy consumption, waste management and natural resources
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Social
Human rights, diversity, health/safety and supply chain management 
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Governance
Corporate leadership, business ethics and disclosure/transparency
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Insights

Nuveen’s inaugural 2019-2020 Responsible Investing Engagement Report

As a leader in responsible investing, we consistently engage with companies and other issuers to encourage adoption of practices for better management of ESG factors, in turn driving attractive returns and lasting societal change.
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The numbers

A pioneer in responsible investing

With over 5 decades of responsible investing leadership, Nuveen, the investment manager of TIAA, has a history of investing by example.
ESG-Focused Investments
Themes

Shaping the responsible investing industry

Tackling climate change through leadership, engagement and ESG integration

We launched the Climate Risk Task Force (CRTF), a cross-functional team bridging TIAA and Nuveen, to develop an organization-wide strategy and oversee the management of climate-related risks. 

Cultivating an environment of inclusion that celebrates diversity and empowers our employees, clients and the communities we serve

Change through understanding
Change through dialogue
Change through leadership
Change through action
TIAA ranks in the top 10 on DiversityInc’s 2021 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. 7
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Responsible investing incorporates Environmental Social Governance (ESG) factors that may affect exposure to issuers, sectors, industries, limiting the type and number of investment opportunities available, which could result in excluding investments that perform well.

The Investment Snapshots detailed above provide examples of how TIAA’s portfolio managers evaluate property and security investments. All information shown is historical, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the assets shown or related products. Certain products and services may not be available to all entities or persons. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 
1 Based on assets under management as of December 31, 2020.

2 Morningstar Sustainable Funds U.S. Landscape Report, Feb 2021.

3 Nuveen defines impact investing according to the Global Impact Investing Network, "GIIN" (https://thegiin.org/impact-investing/) definition: Impact investments are investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. 
 
4 As of December 31, 2020.
 
5 Based on assets under management as of March 31, 2021.
 
6 2021 Energy Star Awards. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are honoring 206 ENERGY STAR partners from 39 states for their outstanding leadership in reducing American energy bills and tackling climate change. ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Each year, EPA’S ENERGY STAR program honors a group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy achievements. ENERGY STAR Award Winners lead their industries in the production and sale of energy-efficient products and services, and in the development and adoption of strategies that provide substantial savings in the buildings where we work, and in our homes. All these efforts contribute to reduced emissions and a create a healthy environment. Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR partners.
 
7 Top 50 Companies for Diversity – DiversityInc (2013–2021)
 
This material is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute fiduciary investment advice under ERISA, a securities recommendation under all securities laws, or an insurance product recommendation under state insurance laws or regulations. This material does not take into account any specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Investment decisions should be made based on the investor’s own objectives and circumstances.
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