The Calvert Principles: A Decade of Clarity, Consistency and Conviction

Since Calvert’s inception almost 45 years ago, we have articulated the responsible business practices that we believe can lead to long-term value creation.  Those views have taken a variety of forms over our history, but our Calvert Principles for Responsible Investment have been the most enduring. Published ten years ago, the Calvert Principles for Responsible Investment continue to serve as a robust foundation in a responsible investment landscape that has grown more complex and data-rich. What began as a clear articulation of responsible corporate behavior has proven to be a resilient framework designed for long-term relevance.

Since the drafting of the original Principles in 2015, responsible investing has moved into the mainstream. Climate risk has become a financial reality, stakeholder expectations have intensified and regulatory and disclosure regimes have expanded globally. The proliferation of data and reporting standards over the same period has been a hallmark of this evolution. In this environment, investors benefit from principles that cut through complexity and focus attention on what truly matters.

A beacon in uncertain times, the Calvert Principles aim to do exactly that. Anchored in enduring themes — environmental sustainability and resource efficiency; equitable societies grounded in respect for human rights; and accountable governance with transparent operations — the Principles reflect fundamental drivers of long-term value creation and risk management. We believe that companies and other issuers that manage these issues effectively are better positioned to adapt, build trust and perform through changing market conditions.

What’s Evolved — and Why It Matters
To mark the 10-year anniversary of our Principles, we made refinements to ensure they continue to reflect our current investment approach and operating environment. These updates sharpen expectations around climate-related risks and opportunities; human capital management; supply chain responsibility; and transparency in governance and disclosures. Importantly, the updates were evolutionary, not transformational — reinforcing existing themes rather than redefining them.

This approach reflects our belief that responsible investment frameworks should evolve alongside markets and societies, while remaining grounded in a consistent philosophy. The strength of the Calvert Principles lies in their ability to adapt without losing their essence.

Ultimately, the longevity of the Calvert Principles speaks to their purpose, a disciplined lens through which we assess the financial materiality of corporate behavior, guide stewardship and allocate capital with intention. Ten years on, they continue to offer investors clarity, consistency and conviction in responsible investing and confidence in the value we are adding to their portfolios.

The Calvert Principles for Responsible Investment