November 2025

Hidden in Plain Sight: Physical Risk in Asset Owners’ Portfolios

By Xinxin Wang, Jascha Lehmann, Russ Bowdrey & Lisa Eichler Corporate asset locations are a critical source of financial-risk intelligence for investors. More so when coupled with powerful overlays related to physical climate risk. MSCI’s new study, conducted in collaboration with Swiss Re Risk Data Solutions, analyzed more than 11,000 companies and 500,000 physical assets underpinning the listed-equity portfolios of 18 leading asset owners, representing USD 4 trillion in AUM. Location isn’t just geography, it’s financial risk exposed. The location of companies’...

Pension funds risk 33 per cent return loss from failed climate transition: Ortec

A failed global transition to a low-carbon economy could slash pension fund returns by as much as 33 per cent in the next 25 years, according to new modeling by Ortec Finance. In the face of rising physical and transition risks tied to climate change, Ortec Finance’s managing director of climate scenarios and sustainability, Maurits van Joolingen, says the modeling captures the profound uncertainty surrounding climate change, from technology deployment to geopolitical responses, but the risks to long-term portfolio performance...

October 2025

Sovereign GSSS+ Bonds: Building Blocks for Climate Ambition Analysis

By Sustainalytics Investor demand for sovereign green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked (GSSS+) bonds is growing. And with increasing scrutiny of climate goals, sovereign GSSS+ bonds may provide a signal of countries’ commitments to the Paris Agreement and meeting their nationally determined contributions (NDC). However, for investors looking to assess sovereign commitments and help drive meaningful climate impact, analyzing sovereign GSSS+ bonds in isolation may not be enough. This report offers insight into how investors can leverage these instruments to assess countries’...

Canada’s largest pension investment manager sued over alleged climate risk mismanagement

Toronto, Ont./ Traditional territories of several First Nations including the Williams Treaties First Nations, Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation — Four young people in Canada are taking the sixth largest pension fund manager in the world to court, claiming it is breaching its duty to invest in their best interests by failing to protect their pensions from climate risk. Represented by lawyers from Ecojustice and Goldblatt Partners LLP, Aliya Hirji, Travis Olson,...

European pension providers back calls for governments to stop deforestation

Institutional investors, including European pension providers, have urged global governments to adopt strong policies to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 and to prevent further loss of natural ecosystems. The Belém Investor Statement on Rainforests highlighted investor concerns about the financial risks posed by tropical deforestation and nature loss, warning that exposure to commodities produced on deforested land creates material vulnerabilities across global investment and lending portfolios. It also said that the degradation of forests threatens the ecosystem...

Pension schemes should consider societal and environmental impact

A new poll of industry professionals shows resounding support for responsible retirement investments, without forsaking financial returns  100 members of the Society of Pension Professionals were asked if funds should take into consideration the long-term implications of investments for society and our planet. 84% believed there was a need for more responsibility in terms of the vehicles being used to safeguard people’s retirements. In contrast, just 9% said there was no need to think about impact on planet or people, and...

US. CalSTRS Forms Climate Co-Investment Partnership With Carlyle Alpinvest

The California State Teachers’ Retirement System is partnering with Caryle Alpinvest to expand the $374.3 billion pension fund’s ability to access co-investment climate solution opportunities, Carlyle Alpinvest announced Tuesday. “This partnership is designed to expand CalSTRS’ ability to invest alongside private equity managers in climate solution opportunities beyond CalSTRS’ direct investment program,” Carlyle Alpinvest stated. Carlyle Alpinvest is a specialist subsidiary of the Carlyle Group.  Alpinvest reports $97 billion of assets under management, the Carlyle Group manages $465 billion in total, including...

A systematic review and meta-analysis of air pollution and increased risk of frailty

By Zahra Jafari, Melissa Andrew & Kenneth Rockwood Background Environmental air pollution is increasingly recognised as a potential contributor to frailty. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise existing evidence on the associations between environmental air pollution and frailty in middle-aged and older adults, providing insights into the impact of air pollution on public health. Methods The systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement 2020. Four electronic databases were searched without...

Frailty in ageing populations worsened by air pollution, global review finds

Air pollution increases the likelihood of people becoming frail in middle and old age, according to an international review of studies. People are living longer and, while this is often painted as a challenge to healthcare systems, it is also something to celebrate. There are many opportunities to increase the quality of life in old age, maximise independence and minimise the amount time spent being ill. Dr Zahra Jafari, from Dalhousie University and coauthor of the review, said: “Frailty is a critical health outcome...

September 2025

Aligning your pension scheme with the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures recommendations

By Department for Work and Pensions This guide aims to help trustees evaluate the way in which climate-related risks and opportunities may affect their strategies. Trustees should consider how different investments and strategies could be impacted by transition and physical risks, at an asset class, sector and firm level where appropriate. Schemes should set out what risks and opportunities they consider to be relevant or material to them over the short/medium/long term time horizons for their scheme. They should use scenario analysis...