October 2022

The Depth & Breadth of Sustainable Finance Regulatory Initiatives: Global Developments in 2022

By Lydia Sandner & Noam Cherki The scope and pace of global sustainable finance regulation has accelerated in 2022 across an array of regulatory areas (taxonomies, ESG and climate risk management and disclosures, product requirements, ESG in stewardship, and green bond frameworks). ▪ Regulatory efforts continue to prioritize management of climate-related financial risk as well as preventing greenwashing, although the agenda is beginning to expand to naturerelated risks and social issues as well. ▪ The European Union continues to be the leading...

Sustainable finance regulation grew around the world in 2022

Sustainable finance regulation around the world increased in both scope and pace in 2022, according to a report released Monday by ISS ESG, the responsible investment arm of Institutional Shareholder Services. The Depth & Breadth of Sustainable Finance Regulatory Initiatives: Global Developments in 2022 report analyzes initiatives proposed or implemented to date and breaks that down by region and country. The report is based on a proprietary ISS ESG index. "All regions see sustainable finance regulation as critical to increasing market...

Integrating sustainability in DC pensions

Workplace pensions are an integral part of the social infrastructure in our society, and most workplace pensions are now defined contribution schemes (DC). In contrast to the defined benefit (DB) world, there is no sponsor underwriting scheme risks and no Pension Protection Fund to fall back upon; massive responsibilities rest upon the shoulders of scheme trustees. A further important differentiating factor is the relative maturity of the two markets. Today’s active contributors to DC schemes are likely to be still...

September 2022

México. Las afores deberán capacitar a su personal en materia de ASG

La Consar publicó en el Diario Oficial de la Federación que las afores ya tienen la obligación de contar con un programa de capacitación contínua para su personal en materia de los principios Ambientales, Sociales y de Gobernanza (ASG). La Comisión Nacional del Sistema del Ahorro para el Retiro (Consar) publicó en el Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) que las administradoras de fondos para el retiro (afores) ya tienen la obligación de contar con un programa de capacitación contínua...

Expert investors believe sustainable investing is most likely to drive long-term returns

This is among the sustainability-focused findings of Schroders’ Global Investor Study 2022, which have been revealed today. “Expert” investors are more likely to believe that investing sustainably is key to driving long-term returns compared with their peers who rate themselves as less knowledgeable, research by Schroders has found. The finding is from Schroders’ Global Investor Study 2022, the bellwether annual survey which highlights trends based on the answers and opinions of more than 23,000 investors in 33 locations. Data was...

UK Pension Schemes Under Pressure for Climate Impact Reporting

The mid-sized and smaller pension schemes in the UK are under tighter rules as new reporting regulations are requiring more detailed information. The UK has been one of the fastest countries to adopt the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) reporting requirements into law. This covers corporates, regulated financial institutions, and pension schemes. Large pension schemes in the country have to report climate risks in line with TCFD guidance since last October. This is also part of the Occupational Pension Schemes...

US. Delivering on Sustainability in the Institutional Markets

Clear intentions and transparent actions support ESG alignment with institutional clients To ensure durability and sustainability in the institutional markets, all participants — from clients to asset managers, financial professionals and solution providers — should adopt both financial and environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives with a long-term view. With many institutional investors using an ESG lens when they select and work with asset management and financial firms, they are interested both in how their asset managers incorporate ESG investing...

US. State treasurers, NYC react to ESG backlash

An open letter signed by 13 state treasurers and New York City's comptroller Wednesday takes aim at what they call the "political backlash" against ESG investing by public pension and related funds. "Several states in our country have started blacklisting financial firms that don't agree with their political views," said the letter signed by state treasurers from California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin, and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander,...

UK. CDC and ESG: A truly long-term game

This summer’s introduction of collective defined contribution pension schemes was a watershed moment for the industry. With the rules now laid out and the first scheme — Royal Mail — expected to be launched imminently, attention is turning to scheme design, and in particular investment portfolios. With environmental, social and governance factors now firmly at the centre of pension fund investment, many proponents of CDC believe that it is perfectly positioned to progress the responsible and sustainable investment cause to the...

Florida pension fund report shows support for ESG proposals, including at Exxon

Pension fund supported more than 40% of social-related proposals amid anti-ESG resolution Florida State Board of Administration, Tallahassee, voted in favor of more than 40% of social-related shareholder resolutions and nearly 30% of environmental-related shareholder resolutions during the fiscal year ended June 30, according to a report included with materials for the board's investment advisory council on Tuesday. The board, which oversees $228 billion in assets including the $180 billion Florida Retirement System, supported 50.1% of shareholder-proposed ballot resolutions at Russell...