Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at Level Edge

Our ESG strategy is concentrated on supporting business resilience and creating value for our investors and stakeholders—now and in the future.



Our Guiding Esg Principles

Ensure the well-being and safety of employees
Foster a positive work environment based on respect for human rights, valuing diversity, and having zero tolerance for workplace discrimination, violence or harassment.
Operate with leading health and safety practices to support the goal of zero serious safety incidents.
Maintain strong governance practices
Operate to the highest ethical standards by conducting business activities in accordance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Maintain strong stakeholder relationships through transparency and active engagement
 
Be good corporate citizens
Ensure the interests, safety and well-being of the communities in which we operate and are integrated into our business decisions.
Support philanthropy and volunteerism by our employees.
Mitigate the impact of our operations on the environment
Strive to minimize the environmental impact of our operations and improve our efficient use of resources over time.

Integrating ESG Considerations into Our Investment Process

ESG is embedded throughout our investment process, starting with the initial due diligence through to the exit of the investment. Below is a summary of how we integrate ESG factors.

Due Diligence

We tailor ESG due diligence to each investment and follow a structured approach, leveraging relevant industry frameworks.

Investment Committee Approval

All potential investments must incorporate ESG matters into their evaluation and be approved by the Investment Committee.

Ongoing Management

Upon company acquisition, we create a tailored integration plan that includes any applicable material ESG-related matters for review and execution.



All Investments

Level edge takes the following considerations into account when making investments:

  • Consider environmental, public health, safety, and social issues associated with target companies when evaluating whether to invest in a particular entity, as well as during the period of ownership.
  • Be accessible to relevant stakeholders either directly or through representatives of portfolio companies, as appropriate.
  • Respect the human rights of those affected by our investment activities and seek to confirm that our investments do not flow to companies that utilize child labor or forced labor or maintain discriminatory policies.
  • Provide information to limited partners on the matters addressed herein, and work to foster transparency about our activities.
  • Encourage our portfolio companies to advance these same principles in a way which is consistent with fiduciary duties.
  • Maintain strict policies that prohibit bribery, fraud and other improper payments to public officials consistent with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, EU's joint foreign and security policy similar laws in other countries.




Control investment

When making control investments, leveledge undertakes the following additional activities:

  • Seek to increase and improve the companies in which we invest through long-term sustainability initiatives, while also considering stakeholders on environmental, social and governance issues. We work through appropriate governance structures (e.g., board of directors) within portfolio companies with respect to environmental, public health, safety and social issues, with the goal of improving performance and minimizing adverse impacts in these areas.
  • Seek to use governance models that provide appropriate level of oversight in the areas of audit, risk management and potential conflicts of interest and to implement compensation and other polices that align the interests of our funds and management.
  • Remain committed to compliance with applicable national, state and local laws in countries in which we invest; support the payment of competitive wages and benefits to employees, provide a safe and healthy workplace in the conformance with national and local law; and, consistent with applicable law, respect the rights of employees to decide whether or not to join a union and engage in collective bargaining.




Credit and Minority Investments

While the consideration of ESG factors has traditionally fallen under the awareness of active equity investors with a greater ability to influence outcomes, we believe that credit and other minority investors also have an obligation to take into account ESG factors. In evaluating minority investments, teams:

  • Examine the impact a company has on society and the environment during the diligence process. Where applicable, take into consideration not only the specific products or services a company provides, but also the manner in which it does business and conducts itself in the broader world.
  • Seek to comprehend and consider ESG factors from a company-specific and sector-wide perspective.
  • Encourage companies, where appropriate, to adopt responsible practices and promote transparency.
  • Treat the responsibility of acting as a shareholder seriously and continue to diligence holdings throughout the course of ownership.
  • Engage companies via proxy voting, corporate actions and board seats, where applicable.