ESG
In-depth reporting on ESG investing for our pension fund and asset management readers from IPE’s award-winning journalists
Latest news
Brightwell drops head of sustainable investment role after Barron exit
BT Pension Scheme has decided not to replace Victoria Barron
Professional trustee appointments increase marking fourth year of consecutive growth
However, support for member-nominated trustees (MNTs) continues and pension fund boards are encouragedto keep them
PGB to focus sustainable investments on biodiversity, food systems
70% of members of the €37bn Dutch multi-sector fund support a focus on sustainability, according to a recent survey
Investor coalition urges Amazon to ‘come clean’ on workers’ rights issues
The 20-strong global investor group said failure to recognise human rights norms represents a threat to shareholder long-term value
Features
UK creates social factors template for pension investors
Environmental and governance risks receive much attention, but UK and other European institutional investors have focused less on social factors and their complexities.
Country Report
Can DC participants trust the competence of Dutch pension funds?
The authors of a recent paper find that pension boards in the Netherlands have failed to reduce asset-liability risk and advocate for greater accountability of boards, advisers and investment staff
Interviews
Mercer’s Rich Nuzum: soft skills are the hardest in investment governance
Mercer’s recent acquisition of Vanguard’s outsourced chief investment officer (CIO) business and its sale of two administration units points to changes in asset management as firms continue to focus on core activities.
Interviews
Ahold Delhaize pension fund on climate transition and system change
Eric Huizing, chief investment officer at Ahold Delhaize Pensioen, explains to Tjibbe Hoekstra how the pension fund is progressing not only with its climate-focused investments but also the change in the Dutch pension system
Interviews
Modelling shows net-zero investing can be profitable
Since the acceptance of the Paris Agreement in 2015, which bound nations to a legal commitment to reduce global temperatures, there has been a clear shift towards net-zero investing. While socially responsible investments are crucial for the mitigation of climate change, recent calls to row back on ESG funds suggest some hesitation.
Opinion Pieces
Striking the right balance on pension funds and fiduciary duty
Pension fund investment principles, strategies and decision-making have all become more complex in the wake of the growth of sustainability factors in general and climate change in particular. This has made the interpretation and practice of trustee ‘fiduciary duties’ more vexed and challenging than ever. A recent review of fiduciary duties in the UK by the Financial Markets Law Committee (FMLC) put it this way: “It is sometimes easier to state the duties than it is to apply them.”
Analysis
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive final text gets green light
MEPs have now signed-off on an agreement which means the law will only apply to very large companies
Opinion Pieces
Viewpoint: What if climate policy wasn’t ‘backsliding’?
Nothing screams policy forward-sliding like a solar sector unleashed, permanently beating scenario expectations
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Asset Class Reports
Green bonds reach escape velocity
The green bond market looks set to grow further, despite pressure from many sides and key questions over their function
Asset Class Reports
The quest for innovation in sustainable fixed income
Japan’s climate transition bond is the latest in a string of innovative developments in sustainable fixed income
Asset Class Reports
Closing the data gap in green, social and sustainability-linked bonds
Luxembourg’s bourse has capitalised on its experience as a green bond hub
Interviews
Sweden’s AP3 pension fund and its quest for alpha
Jonas Thulin, recently appointed CIO of Sweden’s Tredje AP-Fonden (AP3), talks to Carlo Svaluto Moreolo about his approach to asset allocation and portfolio management
Analysis
Thematic investing set to morph into impact investing
In the second article on a new survey, Vincent Mortier, Monica Defend and Amin Rajan argue that greater granularity in ESG investing is set to boost impact investing
Features
Impact investment: How change theory can boost key messages
Simply aligning an investment with one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) does not always convince individuals about the impact of an investment. Communicating about change can help.
Features
Ukraine: The mother of all impact investments
Institutional investors can play a crucial role in rebuilding Ukraine in a post-war future
Opinion Pieces
Emerging market investors should take the long view
For institutional investors, investing in emerging markets is a true test of fiduciary duty. The asset class – if it can be defined as such – has enormous potential, yet it is also risky, not just in terms of volatility but also of reputation.
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