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.
The first generation of ESG strategies excluded whole sectors from investors’ portfolios. Such approaches are still widely used, but investors may be underestimating their impact on portfolio diversification.
Schemes with poor record keeping should receive harsher punishments
Schemes with poor record keeping should be handed harsher punishments, say the majority of this week’s 83 Pensions Buzz respondents.
Harnessing the power of credit to boost responsible investment
While equities are often considered the best weapon to wield in ESG-related engagement, pension schemes also have huge power through their bond allocations, says Mitch Reznick
Opperman writes to 50 schemes demanding action on ESG
Pensions and financial inclusion minister Guy Opperman has written to the 50 largest pension schemes requesting action to combat climate change.
The next frontier for responsible investment in pensions
While the pensions industry’s approach to ESG has changed considerably since three years ago, there are still opportunities for schemes to take advantage of, says Lauren Peacock.
UK investors recognise increasing importance of ESG
Responsible investing has dramatically grown in importance to investors over the last year, according to research by Aon.
RPMI Railpen to vote against firms with poor approach to climate-risk disclosure
RPMI Railpen will vote against the re-election of chairpersons and senior directors where it is concerned about their firms’ approach to managing climate risk, it has announced.
Brunel appoints Truvalue Labs for AI-driven ESG tool
The £30bn Brunel Pension Partnership pool has selected Truvalue Labs to evaluate ESG and reputational risks across all of its asset managers.
Why changes to SIPs will be positive but not radical
From October, trustees need to show how they are factoring ESG issues into investment decisions. Holly Roach explores why the changes may not be radical but could boost member engagement.
DC and ESG: The two key issues for our time
Across the industry, two key discussions are dominating the landscape: ESG and DC investment. Getting the approach to both of these right is vital, says Jonathan Stapleton.
Most schemes neglecting Brexit contingency planning
The majority of schemes have claimed political and economic uncertainty has led them to disregard contingency planning for the range of potential Brexit outcomes.
What next for responsible investment in the LGPS?
Local authority schemes must work alongside other stakeholders, in the UK and abroad, to deliver meaningful action on ESG issues, says John Gray
ESG integration should find its natural home in CDI strategies
Portfolios constructed using a cashflow-driven approach can prove to be a good fit for meeting ESG regulatory requirements and mitigating risk, says David Curtis.
Aegon adds ESG allocation to its default fund
Aegon has incorporated ESG into its £19bn TargetPlan defined contribution (DC) default fund for its master trust and group personal pension plan.
Trustees prepared for upcoming ESG regulations but admit to implementation challenges
Some 96% of trustees are ready for upcoming ESG regulations which will require schemes to agree their approach to responsible investment, according to Hymans Robertson.
DC schemes not aligned with member values but ESG shift could boost contributions by £1.2bn a year
Over three quarters (78%) of defined contribution (DC) members feel their pension scheme is not aligned with their values, latest research by Franklin Templeton shows.
Industry urges schemes to incorporate ESG in full, as EU investors do not see benefits
Pension experts are urging UK schemes to incorporate social and governance factors into their investments, as research shows European investors do not see the potential long-term returns.
PP Investment Awards 2019 - Shortlists published
Here they are… The shortlists for this year's Professional Pensions Investment Awards.
BNY Mellon IM launches sustainable global equity income fund
BNY Mellon Investment Management has launched a sustainable global equity income fund under the management of boutique Newton Investment Management's Nick Clay, and head of responsible and charity investment Rob Stewart.
Aviva launches ESG-focused DC default strategy
Aviva has launched a defined contribution (DC) default investment strategy for its workplace pension clients, incorporating ethical and ESG considerations.
Keep on running: The challenges of a self-sufficiency approach
Boris Mikhailov looks at the risks and benefits for schemes targeting self-sufficiency
Ethics & alpha: Can investing responsibly enhance returns?
Steve Waygood, chief responsible investment officer at Aviva Investors, takes an in-depth look at the relationship between responsible investing and performance.
Director or dictator?
Industry Voice: Star CEOs are bringing into question what makes a good leader in a flatter, networked world. We explore what this means for the overall governance of companies
Sustainable investing can be unconstrained rather than restrictive
Jupiter Asset Management's Abbie Llewellyn-Waters, manager of the Jupiter Global Sustainable Equity strategy, explains why firms need to integrate ESG into their business model
PRI toughens up climate risk reporting for UK schemes
Some of the UK's biggest pension schemes will be forced to report on climate risk in line with recommendations from the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
Conscious decoupling: GDP and environmental sustainability
Aviva Investors' Abigail Herron says GDP fails to measure the impact of economic growth on the planet's finite environmental resources
Expertise combined, opportunity multiplied: why I created a real assets business
"The future is already here - it's just not evenly distributed" - William Gibson
Expertise combined, opportunity multiplied: why I created a real assets business
Aviva Investors explains the growth and protection benefits investors gain from real assets
Ethics & alpha: Can investing responsibly enhance returns?
Steve Waygood, chief responsible investment officer at Aviva Investors, takes an in-depth look at the relationship between responsible investing and performance.