Glossary/Sustainable investing

Exclusionary Screening

Also known as Negative screening

Exclusionary screening removes issuers, sectors, countries, or activities from an investment universe under defined values, risk, legal, or sustainability criteria.

Editorially reviewed 2026-07-30

Why exclusionary screening matters

It aligns portfolios with constraints but can change diversification, factor exposure, tracking error, and engagement opportunities.

How it is applied

Investors define thresholds, revenue tests, data sources, exceptions, look-through, review frequency, and benchmark treatment.

Portfolio example

A mandate excludes companies deriving more than 10% of revenue from thermal coal.

How to interpret it

An exclusion expresses a boundary, not proof of real-world impact. Portfolio effects depend on scope and substitutes.

Limitations and common misconceptions

Data gaps, conglomerates, threshold cliffs, and index differences create inconsistency.

Sources and further reading