ESG Spotlight
Sponsored by Aviva Investors
After a few false dawns, ESG now seems to be worthy of the label ‘mainstream'. In association with Aviva Investors we bring you the latest news and research into this sustainable mega trend.
Fidelity International has launched three actively-managed ESG ETFs, further expanding the five-strong Sustainable Family range of funds it released in last September.
Webinar: How DC defaults will evolve in a post-coronavirus world
Professional Pensions’ expert panel discusses how defined contribution (DC) default strategies will change following the crisis.
IIGCC issues guidance on tackling physical climate risks
The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) has published detailed advice on how to integrate climate risks and opportunities into investment processes.
ESG-conscious Nest members neglecting pensions
Nest members are making changes to their everyday lives to be more environmentally or socially responsible, but failing to take the same action on their pensions, the provider says.
Pension funds feel pressure to fix 'big societal problems'
Pension funds believe they have an important role to play in addressing major societal issues through green investment decisions, research by Natixis Investment Managers finds.
The changing face of impact bonds
Demand for impact bonds is causing the creation of a bigger market with different targets, writes Josh Kendall.
Poor pay practice a key reason to ditch investments, savers say
Companies with poor pay or governance practices could face divestments from savers aged over 40 with women leading the way, a Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) survey finds.
PLSA industry group to support trustees with ESG reporting blind spots
Many schemes are only at the start of their ESG journeys and are likely to be confused by reporting requirements as they also grapple with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, says the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA).
On demand: PP webinar on ESG integration
PP’s expert panel discusses the implementation and integration of ESG into investment
Keeping up with a disruptive and fast-moving investment backdrop
Investors must keep up with the opportunities and challenges arising from disruption off the back of climate change and technological advances, says Julian Lyne.
Pension cashflow challenges flagged for 94% of employers
Almost all employers are now facing challenges when providing their staff with a workplace pension, according to Smarterly.
MPs' pension fund urged to make faster transition away from fossil fuels
The Parliamentary Contribution Pension Fund has been criticised for continuing to invest in fossil-fuel heavy companies despite a push into renewable energies.
PensionBee to launch UK's first fossil fuel-free fund with L&G
PensionBee has confirmed it has partnered with Legal & General with plans to launch the nation’s first fossil fuel-free fund.
Opperman: 'Some people want me to be less of an innovator'
Guy Opperman says he will not slow down on aiming to implement “ambitious” programmes to tackle climate change while the government will also continue to intervene where it feels the industry is not doing enough.
Cross-industry task force issues guidance on stricter climate-related disclosures for pension schemes
A consultation has been launched on guidance to help schemes get to grips with assessing, managing, and reporting climate-related risks in-line with Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
Sackers launches ESG and climate change guidance
Sackers has published its fourth guide for trustees on ESG and climate change-related risks, designed to help compliance with upcoming regulatory requirements.
Using goal-based bonds for your ESG approach
Bonds aligned with more focused goals can boost companies’ green transition, says Shawn Keegan.
Asset managers failing to lead the way on responsible investment
More than two-thirds of the $36trn of assets held by some of the world’s largest asset managers are being managed by responsible investment "laggards" and poor performers, while the industry currently has no stand-out leaders in the space, research shows....
Guy Opperman: Climate change is too important to ignore
Schemes must do more to lessen the financial risks of climate change, says Guy Opperman.
Webinar: ESG, Sustainable and Responsible Investing - TODAY at 3pm
Professional Pensions is holding a live webinar on ESG today at 3pm.
No industry consensus on scrapping high-rate tax relief
There was no industry consensus on the benefits and negatives of scrapping high-rate tax relief from this week’s 115 Pension Buzz peers in split results.
Trustees question competence over ESG policies
Almost half (43%) of trustees do not feel able to monitor and report on their schemes ESG policy to a high standard, according to CACEIS.
TPR's decision on professional trustees was right, say peers
This week’s 89 Pensions Buzz respondents agreed with The Pensions Regulator’s decision to hold back from mandating the use of professional trustees.
Ian Scott: A cautious and flexible investment approach
PPF head of investment strategy Ian Scott tells James Phillips about the fund’s in-sourcing programme, recruitment, and investment risk management.
Why trustees need to embrace uncertainty
Sticking with the majority is often the comfortable, safe thing to do. Naomi L'Estrange argues trustees should embrace the uncertainty of going against the herd
UK investors to boost ESG exposure and investments
Nearly half (48%) of UK investors expect to increase their socially responsible investments over the next three years, according to research by Charles Stanley.
Government urged to act on ambiguous approach to climate risk
UKSIF says scheme trustees are failing to comply with their investment duties around ESG. Hope William-Smith looks at whether they need government intervention to get back on track.
Scottish Widows launches responsible investment team
Scottish Widows has created a specialist responsible investment team to monitor sustainable activity across its fund range.
Pension funds must steward their own asset managers responsibly
By improving their stewardship activity and collaborating together, schemes can reduce the burden on resources, says Lauren Peacock.
Defaults lagging on demand for ESG
LCP says significant numbers of savers want to invest in responsible companies but default funds aren’t keeping up with these changing preferences. Holly Roach reports