Hannah Godfrey
NewsDisinvesting on ESG grounds ‘often’ discussed at trustee meetings
Trustees regularly discuss divesting on ESG grounds at meetings as part of wider debates on environmental, social and governance factors. However, complexity means discussion does not always lead to action.
NewsHow pension schemes can help the UK meet its sustainability goals
Tackling climate change is high on the agenda for pension scheme trustees, and with COP26 only recent history, taking action has never felt more pressing. However, trustees must be careful to balance this with generating investment returns.
NewsIs legislation helping trustees on their journey to net zero?
When it comes to making their schemes greener, trustees have a lot to get their heads around. But current climate-related legislation is helping to focus minds and offer a framework for meeting net zero targets.
NewsWhat UK pension schemes can learn from abroad about reaching net zero
The UK is said to be leading on climate change; however, there are examples of best practice seen internationally that schemes could follow in the push for net zero.
NewsThe challenges facing trustees seeking net zero
More pension schemes are committing to net zero agendas than ever before, but reporting and analysing climate-related disclosure data is no easy task for trustees.
NewsInvestors facing up to the social costs of fast fashion
Fast fashion is big business but often negatively associated with workers’ rights issues. Can interested investors successfully ensure they are not contributing to poor working conditions?
NewsLGPS urged to divest from ‘Israeli settlement economy’
Canadian Professor Michael Lynk, who works with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, has requested that the Local Government Pension Scheme funds divest from any holding that may be linked to contested Israeli settlements.
NewsCouncil to compensate member after persistently giving incorrect info
South Tyneside Council has been ordered to pay £2,000 in total by the Pensions Ombudsman to a former employee after it incorrectly told him he could defer claiming his pension benefits until age 75.
NewsGovt to remove performance fees from DC charge cap
The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a consultation that will seek out policy proposals to exclude investment performance fees from the defined contribution charge cap.
NewsStraightforward messages more likely to engage savers than ESG
On the go: Straightforward pension communications, rather than those discussing environmental, social and governance topics, are better at engaging savers who have never logged into their pension account, new research has found.
NewsEmployers’ wish list for TPR’s DB funding code
On the go: Employers have expressed support for some elements they would like to see outlined in the second consultation on a new defined benefit funding code, which is expected in the next few months.
NewsThink tank suggests USS members could transfer benefits to Sipps
On the go: A think tank has suggested that members of the Universities Superannuation Scheme should be able to choose to transfer out part of their pension benefits to a self-invested personal pension scheme.
NewsAviva’s strong BPA sales reflect strength of risk transfer market
On the go: Aviva recorded £2.4bn of bulk purchase annuity deals in the third quarter, bringing its year-to-date volumes to £4bn, according to a trading update from the company on Thursday.
NewsNine in 10 asset managers taking active ownership stance on ESG
On the go: About 90 per cent of asset managers discuss environmental, social and governance factors in meetings with senior management of the companies in which they invest, up from 80 per cent in 2018, according to research from Russell Investments.
NewsPASA launches data management controls guidance
On the go: The Pensions Administration Standards Association has launched its new data management controls guidance.
NewsDWP’s flat fee charging limit dubbed a ‘symbolic gesture’
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that it will ban the charging of flat fees on qualifying workplace pension pots worth less than £100.
NewsDB schemes with assets above £1bn increase by 90% in 8 years
On the go: The number of defined benefit pension schemes with assets of more than £1bn has increased by 90 per cent since 2013, according to research by Barnett Waddingham.
FeaturesWhy the ‘S’ in ESG matters and how schemes can better understand it
The ‘social’ aspect of environmental, social and governance investments can be hard to quantify, but is crucial for pension schemes to get to grips with to meet their requirements in this area. Fortunately, there is help for investors to make the most of ‘S’ and spot long-term opportunities.