The MSCI ESG Indices are grouped into the following main categories:

MSCI Sustainability Indices
MSCI Sustainability Indices represent the performance of the investment opportunity set (‘ESG beta’) of companies with high ESG ratings relative to their sector peers. They cover both global developed and the US markets. The indices target the highest ESG-rated companies making up 50% of the adjusted market capitalization in each sector of the underlying index, subject to the limitation that only companies with an ESG rating of ‘B’ or above are eligible for inclusion. They are reconstituted annually at the May Quarterly Index Review and rebalanced at the August, November and February Quarterly Index Reviews.

MSCI SRI Indices
MSCI Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) Indices represent the performance of the investment opportunity set of socially responsible companies with high ESG ratings. They avoid investments in companies involved in certain industries, such as tobacco, nuclear power or GMOs.

MSCI Ex Controversial Weapons Indices
MSCI Ex Controversial Weapons Indices represent the performance of the investment opportunity set of companies that comply with global norms of corporate behaviour. The indices exclude a limited number of companies that violate these norms, such as producers of controversial weapons or companies involved in serious human rights abuses.

MSCI ‘Environmental’ Indices
The MSCI Global Environment Indices represent the investment opportunity set of companies that derive substantial revenues from environmentally beneficial products and services in five key environmental themes: Alternative Energy, Sustainable Water, Green Building, Pollution Prevention and Clean Technology. The Global Environment Indices are benchmarks for investors seeking exposure to companies whose primary source of revenues increase the efficient use of scarce natural resources or mitigate the impact of environmental degradation. The MSCI Global Climate Index is an equal weighted basket of 100 companies that are leaders in mitigating the causes of climate change. Index constituents are selected for their involvement in three key environmental themes: Renewable Energy, Clean Technology & Efficiency, and Future Fuels.

Custom MSCI Sustainability Indices
Custom MSCI Sustainability Indices are calculated using ESG criteria specified by clients and applied across Developed and/or Emerging Markets countries or regions. Custom MSCI Sustainability Indices integrate ESG analysis into the index construction process. An example is the Human Rights Custom Index on MSCI ACWI.

Barclays MSCI ESG Fixed Income Indices
The Barclays MSCI ESG Fixed Income Indices comprise more than 500 standard and bespoke ESG fixed income indices representing the most widely used ESG strategies and investment objectives across three categories:

• Barclays MSCI Socially Responsible (SRI) Indices exclude issuers that engaged in particular businesses activities that may be restricted for certain investors and are intended for those whose investment selections are governed by values-based policies.
• Barclays MSCI Sustainability Indices apply a best-in-class methodology to select issuers (sovereign, corporate, and quasi-sovereign) with high ESG ratings relative to their peers. These indices are intended for investors who place a premium on companies’ sustainability strategies and believe ESG criteria can be applied to identify companies that are more effective in managing the ESG risks unique to their industry.
• Barclays MSCI ESG Weighted Indices use ESG ratings to systematically over- and under-weight issuers within a bond index using an objective rules-based approach. These indices are targeted toward universal owners whose investment strategies express a view on the financial impact that ESG factors will have on their investments.