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Label Element Value
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Dec. 31, 2019
Entity Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund
Entity Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000865177
Entity Inv Company Type dei_EntityInvCompanyType N-1A
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Fund summary
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Goal
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 14 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to the fund’s prospectus, and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 44%.



Prospectus          3

 




 
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 44.00%
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 14 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to the fund’s prospectus, and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 50,000
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Investments, risks, and performance
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Investments

We invest mainly in common stocks of U.S. companies of any size, with a focus on companies that we believe exhibit a commitment to sustainable business practices. Stocks of companies that exhibit a commitment to sustainable business practices are typically, but not always, considered to be growth stocks. Growth stocks are stocks of companies whose earnings are expected to grow faster than those of similar firms, and whose business growth and other characteristics may lead to an increase in stock price. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s sustainable business practices (as described below), valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also invest in non-U.S. companies.

Sustainable investing. We believe that companies that exhibit leadership in sustainable business practices also often exhibit more profitable, durable financial returns with lower risk profiles. Accordingly, in selecting investments, we focus on companies that we believe have a demonstrated commitment to sustainable business practices in areas that are relevant and material to their long-term financial returns and risk profiles. This commitment may be reflected through environmental, social and/or corporate governance (ESG) policies, practices or outcomes. The fund’s approach to sustainable investing incorporates fundamental research together with consideration of ESG factors. Environmental factors include, for example, a company’s carbon intensity and use of resources like water or minerals. Sustainability measures in the area might include plans to reduce waste, increase recycling, or improve product design to be less resource intensive. Social factors include, for example, labor practices and supply chain management. Sustainability measures in this area might include programs to improve employee well-being, commitment to workplace equality and diversity, or improved stewardship of supplier relationships and working conditions. Corporate governance factors include, for example, board composition and executive compensation. Sustainability measures in this area might include improvements in board independence or diversity, or alignment of management incentives with the company’s strategic sustainability objectives. It is likely that sustainable business practices, as well as the metrics and measurements that we use to evaluate them, will continue to evolve over time.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of investments in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political or financial market conditions, investor sentiment and market perceptions, government actions, geopolitical events or changes, and factors related to a specific issuer, geography, industry or sector. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and the market may not favor growth-style investing.

 



 




 

These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. From time to time, the fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in companies in one or more related industries or sectors, which would make the fund more vulnerable to adverse developments affecting those industries or sectors. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation), and may be or become illiquid.

Investing with a focus on companies that exhibit a commitment to sustainable business practices may cause the fund to forego otherwise attractive investment opportunities or may increase or decrease the fund’s exposure to certain types of companies and, therefore, to underperform funds that do not invest with a similar focus. In evaluating an investment opportunity, we may make investment decisions based on information and data that is incomplete or inaccurate. In addition, a company’s business practices, products or services may change over time. As a result of these possibilities, among others, the fund may temporarily hold securities that are inconsistent with the fund’s sustainable investment criteria.

There is no guarantee that the investment techniques, analyses, or judgments that we apply in making investment decisions for the fund will produce the intended outcome or that the investments we select for the fund will perform as well as other securities that were not selected for the fund. We, or the fund’s other service providers, may experience disruptions or operating errors that could negatively impact the fund.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. Before March 21, 2018, the fund was managed with a materially different investment strategy and may have achieved materially different performance results under its current investment strategy from that shown for periods before this date. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.



Prospectus          5

 




 

 

 
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress putnam.com.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges  
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ended 12/31/19)
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

 

 



6          Prospectus

 




 
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund | S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 31.49%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.70%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.56%
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund | Russell 3000 Growth – S&P 500 Linked Benchmark (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 35.64% [1]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.19% [1]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 15.04% [1]
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund | Class A  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.75%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [2]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.58% [3]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.03%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 674
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 884
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,111
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,762
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 19.31%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (5.00%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.70%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 36.28%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 13.35%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (0.40%)
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 7.65%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 29.05%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (0.90%)
Annual Return 2019 rr_AnnualReturn2019 35.83%
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel Year-to-date performance through
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Sep. 30, 2020
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn 15.75%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best calendar quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 17.95%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst calendar quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (19.62%)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 28.02%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.91%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.62%
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 25.92%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.75%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 12.18%
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 17.99%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.99%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 11.06%
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund | Class B  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 5.00% [4]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.58% [3]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.78%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 681
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 860
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,164
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,897
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 181
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 560
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 964
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,897
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 29.81%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 12.15%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.62%
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund | Class C  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [5]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.58% [3]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.78%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 281
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 560
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 964
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,095
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 181
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 560
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 964
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,095
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.82%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 12.40%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.44%
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund | Class R  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.58% [3]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.28%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 130
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 406
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 702
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,545
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 35.48%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 12.96%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 14.01%
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund | Class R6  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.58% [3]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.08%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.66%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 67
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 211
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 368
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 822
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 36.32% [6]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 13.57% [6]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 14.61% [6]
Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund | Class Y  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.58% [3]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.78%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 80
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 249
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 433
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 966
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 36.17%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 13.53%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 14.59%
[1] The Russell 3000 Growth-S&P 500 Linked Benchmark represents performance of the Russell 3000 Growth Index from the inception date of the fund, August 31, 1990, through July 31, 2019 and performance of the S&P 500 Index from August 1, 2019 forward. Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell ® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.
[2] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.
[3] Management fees are subject to a performance adjustment. The fund’s base management fee is subject to adjustment, up or down, based on the fund’s performance relative to the performance of the S&P 500 Index for portions of a performance period after August 1, 2019 and the Russell 3000 Growth Index for portions of a performance period prior to August 1, 2019. For the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s base management fee prior to any performance adjustment was 0.549%.
[4] This charge is phased out over six years.
[5] This charge is eliminated after one year.
[6] Performance for class R6 shares prior to their inception (5/22/18) is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares and has not been adjusted for the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R6 shares; had it, returns would have been higher.