February 2022

Dutch pension fund PFZW to end investment in some fossil fuel companies

PFZW, the Dutch health care workers' pension fund, on Wednesday said it would disinvest from any fossil fuel company by 2024 that doesn't have a "convincing and verifiable" strategy to reach the goals laid out in the Paris Climate Change agreement. The decision by PFZW, with 278 billion euros ($316 billion) in assets, follows similar moves by other asset managers to overhaul the way they invest as part of a global efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Some have...

Canada’s largest pension fund CPPIB takes engagement approach to net-zero

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, better known as CPP Investments or CPPIB, announced net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals by 2050 through a decarbonisation approach focused on influencing transition within high-emitting sectors as opposed to divestment. Read also US. Pension plans increasing their focus on allocating to diverse asset managers The plan also includes increasing its investments into green and transition assets from $67 billion to $130 billion by 2030 and a carbon neutrality goal by the end of the...

UK. Force pension funds to align with net zero goal, says Richard Curtis

Pension funds should face legal obligations to bring their investments in line with the net zero greenhouse gas emissions goal, the film-maker Richard Curtis has said. Curtis, a co-founder of the Make My Money Matter campaigning group, urged ministers to follow up the UK’s legal commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 by making it mandatory for pension schemes to align their portfolios with the target. He told the Guardian: “The moment has arrived. Why not invest in sustainable investments?...

Latin America lags on decarbonization financing, report says

Decarbonization efforts in Latin America are being held back by lack of policy and private sector financing, according to a report released Wednesday by Janus Henderson Investors. Read also UK. Force pension funds to align with net zero goal, says Richard Curtis The Janus Henderson Latin America Decarbonization Report found that climate bond issuance in Latin America, at $45 billion in 12 countries at the end of 2021, is relatively small compared to the size of the region and to the...

UK. Climate change a ‘fundamental risk’ to scheme longevity

Climate change is severely impacting on the covenants of a range of employers sponsoring UK defined benefit (DB) schemes, the Employer Covenant Practitioners Association (ECPA) says. In a paper published today (8 February), the ECPA said climate change is "progressively impacting" the covenant of many sponsors, from impacting upon cashflows to representing a "fundamental risk" to scheme longevity. It argues that DB schemes should consider the impacts of climate change through sectoral analysis, including regulation and technological evolution, to best consider...

UK. 21 million savers tempted by green pension options amid increasing awareness

Awareness of the link between pensions and climate change has grown by around 85 per cent in the past year, analysis from Make My Money Matter (MMMM) has revealed, with an increasing number of savers tempted by green pension options as a result. Research from the group revealed that 51 per cent of savers, representing around 21 million individuals, would choose a green pension if offered one by their provider, up from 44 per cent in 2021, a "substantial" increase...

January 2022

UK. Pension professionals demand dashboards and climate action

Pensions dashboards and climate change action ranked as the joint top priority for Society of Pension Professionals members, according to a new survey. The SPP’s survey, which polled around 7,000 pension professionals, questioned members on where they wanted the government and regulators to focus their energies over the next 12 months and the next three to five years. Almost a third of members placed the dashboards rollout as their top choice for the coming year, with 61 per cent of members...

The Sustainable Finance Policy Tracker

By OMFIF The Sustainable Finance Policy Tracker provides a comprehensive overview of different countries’ approaches to mitigating climate risks in the financial sector. Covering 22 countries and jurisdictions, the tracker presents information on 14 areas that include regulatory and supervisory measures, climate stress testing activity, net zero strategies, green bond issuance and disclosure requirements. On the interactive map, use the drop-down menu to select indicators. Scroll over the map to view more information. On the country directory, select a country or jurisdiction to...

UK. FCA’s SDR intent welcomed; greenwashing fears remain

The Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) proposals on sustainability disclosure requirements (SDR) have been welcomed by industry experts, although concerns remain over the need for one "harmonised" and understandable system for all investment products. The regulator previously launched a discussion paper seeking views on the proposed SDRs for asset managers and FCA-regulated asset owners, which aim to “empower” pension scheme trustees to consider climate-related factors in their decision making. Industry organisations have welcomed the FCA’s intention behind the proposals, with Interactive Investor...

Private climate investment needs to get intentional about gender and equity — here’s how

By Suzanne Biegel The private capital committed by members of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) has the potential to transform climate investments. Yet climate investment decision-makers don’t reflect the diversity we need for a just transition. They are therefore likely to overlook the women outside of their networks driving many solutions. Read also ESG Investing Is Not Sustainable Investing This is true in both developed and developing markets. Growing research shows that having more women in decision-making positions results...