ESG
Low-carbon investing doesn't have to mean low return
With renewed urgency, governments and businesses strive for climate improvements, and pension schemes should take advantage, say Sammy Suzuki and Kent Hargis.
10,000 Black Interns campaign launches with leading investment managers' backing
Leading figures of the investment management industry have today launched the 10,000 Black Interns programme which aims to improve and transform the career prospects of young black people in the UK.
How should trustees consider climate risks to sponsor covenants?
UK pension schemes are working hard to counter climate risks across investment portfolios, but the assessment of climate risks to sponsor covenant must be a key focus of schemes’ broader risk assessment, says Michael Bushnell.
The long-term horizon for the LGPS
Local authority funds must use lessons from the past to continue delivering into the future, says James Stoddart
Just becomes first UK insurer to issue a green bond
Just Group has launched its inaugural green bond, raising £250m and becoming the first UK insurer to launch such an asset.
How the BT Pension Scheme will safeguard its portfolios and the planet from climate change
Morten Nilsson explains why the BTPS is aiming to be net zero on carbon emissions by 2035, and how it plans to get there.
PLSA puts forward seven proposals to overcome barriers to climate-aware investing
Data definitions, better stewardship, and increased education are central recommendations for overcoming the barriers to climate-aware investing, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) says.
LGIM integrates ESG and climate impact pledge into DC defaults
Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) has incorporated ESG considerations as well as its climate impact pledge into the default funds for the 3.3 million members in its master trust and contract-based schemes.
Schemes must face the future to drive better outcomes
Julian Mund writes about planning for the future and the four challenges he sees for the pension industry over the next five years.
Consolidation leads five-year expected industry trends, PLSA finds
Consolidation across defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) schemes is the most-anticipated trend for the UK pensions industry over the next five years, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has found.
BT Pension Scheme sets 2035 net-zero target
The BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) has become the latest pension fund to commit to a net-zero investment strategy by a fixed date in order to mitigate the financial risks from climate change.
EY: Driving improvements in market transparency
Professional Pensions spoke to EY partner Iain Brown and director Rikhav Shah as part of an exclusive series of interviews with some of the finalists and winners of the UK Pensions Awards. This is what they had to say…
BNP Paribas Asset Management: Evolving our global sustainability strategy
Professional Pensions spoke to BNP Paribas Asset Management head of sales Philip Dawes as part of an exclusive series of interviews with some of the finalists and winners of the UK Pensions Awards. This is what he had to say…
Fixed income managers up the ante on ESG
Asset managers are increasingly feeling the pressure from institutional investors including pension funds to address ESG issues and provide greater transparency on their efforts to tackle the risks, Russell Investments finds.
Opperman: 'Productive power' of pensions key to net-zero Britain
Sustainable pension investments are vital in overarching plans to push the UK to net-zero carbon emissions, Guy Opperman says.
TPR: Trustees can't duck questions on climate change
Trustees need to develop their understanding and capacity around ESG issues to be able to make better decisions for their members, The Pensions Regulator (TPR) says.
How Covid-19 is changing the view on ESG
Despite Covid, ESG is still in the spotlight, says Holly Roach
Social assets should be key on trustees' to-do list
Evita Zanuso looks at the role social assets can play in UK pension fund portfolios to help build back after the pandemic
TISAtech and PLSA launch ESG investment strategy evaluation
TISAtech has launched an ESG investment strategy evaluation in collaboration with the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA).
PMI Student Essay Competition: Could Covid-19 lead the industry to focus more on its employees?
Willis Tower Watson analyst Jennifer Harrison was the winner of the PMI's fourth student essay competition. In her paper, she looks at the way Covid-19 has changed the way people and companies in the industry work and asks whether these changes will become...
ESG ratings: Present problems and future solutions
James Baxter-Derrington talks to ESG investment specialists about current issues in the ESG ratings market and how the market might look in years to come.
PPI launches DC Future Book 2020; positive AE trends seen despite Covid-19 disruption
Both defined contribution (DC) scheme membership and assets are continuing to show steady growth despite the Coronavirus outbreak, according to the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI).
Big Four accounting firms reveal ESG reporting standards
Leaders of the Big Four accounting firms have joined forces to unveil a reporting framework for ESG standards.