responsible investing

Integrating ESG Across Investment Decisions

Ascend seeks to integrate ESG considerations across all stages in the investment lifecycle both to minimize risks and to advance important sustainability outcomes, including:

INVESTMENT SOURCING AND INITIAL DILIGENCE

PRE-INVESTMENT DILIGENCE

PORTFOLIO ENGAGEMENT AND MONITORING

INVESTMENT DECISION- MAKING

Ascend's ESG Committee has worked on various initiatives to enhance and formalize its ESG Program

IMPLEMENTED IN 2022-2025

Goals for 2025 and beyond

.

IMPLEMENTED IN 2022-2025

  • Published four annual ESG Reports to date
  • Established a consistent and formalized approach for tracking ESG, healthcare quality and access metrics across the portfolio, with healthcare metrics aligned to HEDIS measures and ESG indicators informed by leading industry practices
  • Established and refined ESG assessment tool for use by investment team in pre-investment diligence
  • Enhanced ESG Policy to include systematic diligence process and consistent integration of ESG considerations into investment decision-making and active ownership practices
  • Collected Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon metrics for the firm level, and addressed 100% of carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits. Continued education and progress of carbon footprint throughout the portfolio, collecting scope 1, 2, and partial scope 3 metrics for calendar year 2024

Goals for 2025 and beyond

.

  • Published four annual ESG Reports to date
  • Established a consistent and formalized approach for tracking ESG, healthcare quality and access metrics across the portfolio, with healthcare metrics aligned to HEDIS measures and ESG indicators informed by leading industry practices
  • Established and refined ESG assessment tool for use by investment team in pre-investment diligence
  • Enhanced ESG Policy to include systematic diligence process and consistent integration of ESG considerations into investment decision-making and active ownership practices
  • Collected Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon metrics for the firm level, and addressed 100% of carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits. Continued education and progress of carbon footprint throughout the portfolio, collecting scope 1, 2, and partial scope 3 metrics for calendar year 2024
  • Continue to strengthen our ESG framework through the development of both standardized and portfolio-specific metrics for care quality, access, affordability, talent & inclusion, and workforce practices, integrated across investment screening and portfolio management
  • Continue to assess and integrate relevant ESG frameworks and emerging industry standards to inform the ongoing evolution of our initiatives, program, and reporting practices
  • Expand our LP base of ESG conscious and mission-aligned investors
  • Continue our progress on carbon accounting – both at the firm level and portfolio level. Educate and engage portfolio companies on carbon reduction strategies
  • Continue to strengthen our ESG framework through the development of both standardized and portfolio-specific metrics for care quality, access, affordability, talent & inclusion, and workforce practices, integrated across investment screening and portfolio management
  • Continue to assess and integrate relevant ESG frameworks and emerging industry standards to inform the ongoing evolution of our initiatives, program, and reporting practices
  • Expand our LP base of ESG conscious and mission-aligned investors
  • Continue our progress on carbon accounting – both at the firm level and portfolio level. Educate and engage portfolio companies on carbon reduction strategies