UBS International Infrastructure Funds achieve top rankings in 2016 GRESB Infrastructure Assessment

GRESB, the global standard for portfolio-level sustainability assessment in real estate, has extended its global sustainability assessment framework for the first time this year to cover the sustainability performance of infrastructure funds and assets worldwide.

For 2016, GRESB assessed 51 infrastructure funds from 53 countries, at the individual investee company level, on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) management and performance. While most of the other funds in the assessment only included a sub-set of investments or a single investment, the I&PE team chose to include all its funds' investments in the assessment process.

"I&PE has a strong commitment to addressing ESG issues with our underlying investee companies and we are keen to leverage the strong results of this independent assessment to encourage further improved performance," commented Paul Moy, Global Head of I&PE. "This is not simply about highlighting good performance in a single or sub-set of assets. As an investment manager, we are very focused on establishing the best policies and processes and working with the management of all of our investee companies to deliver sustainable performance, as this firmly remains a key consideration for us at the highest levels of our business worldwide."

GRESB rankings

• UBS International Infrastructure Fund I (IIF I) achieved the top score, ranking 1^st for infrastructure funds globally.
• In the Management & Policy rankings, IIF I and IIF II were the top ranked funds.
  
• Three of I&PE's investee companies achieved the top 5 star GRESB Rating with Australian-based Collgar Wind Farm (see box below) recognized as the top scorer in the Energy Generation: Renewable Generation category.
  

Collgar Wind Farm (Collgar) generates and delivers clean renewable electricity into the Western Australian electricity market, replacing electricity which would otherwise be sourced from fossil fuels.

Collgar reduces greenhouse gas emissions each year by approximately 480,000 to 660,000 tons, the equivalent of taking 120,000-160,000 cars off the road and has a detailed Master Environmental Management Plan which is followed throughout the life of the project to protect flora, fauna and historic heritage and minimize noise and visual impact.

Alongside the development of the wind farm, UBS and its partners have established a fund to support the local rural community. Each year, AUD 100,000 is contributed to support community projects, community development, local education and training, community health and wellbeing and the local environment.

GRESB

GRESB (formerly known as the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) is an investor-driven organization that is transforming the way it assesses the environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of real assets globally, including real estate portfolios and infrastructure assets. More than 250 members, of which about 60 are pension funds and their fiduciaries, use the GRESB data in their investment management and engagement process, with a clear goal to optimize the risk/return profile of their investments.

About Infrastructure and Private Equity 

Infrastructure and Private Equity is a leading global investor in the infrastructure and private equity asset classes. We manage in
excess of USD 16 billion in investments on behalf of our clients. We provide investors an opportunity to select direct exposure to
infrastructure assets managed by UBS or tailored portfolios of third party infrastructure and private equity strategies.

About UBS Asset Management

UBS Asset Management is a large-scale asset manager, with a presence in 22 countries. We offer investment capabilities and investment styles across all major traditional and alternative asset classes to institutions, wholesale intermediaries and wealth management clients. Invested assets were CHF 633 billion as of 30 June 2016.

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