More ESG news – Page 35
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Opinion
Could thematic investment help engage DC members?
Data crunch: Thematic funds struck a chord with European investors last year, pulling in significant sums of money. To a large extent, their popularity can be attributed to the simple fact that they invest in accordance with themes that the general public understand and relate to. With this in mind, could thematic investment approaches improve defined contribution member engagement?
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Features
Data Crunch: Rush of pension capital into infrastructure continues
Pension money is pouring into infrastructure. Portfolio analysis by Pensions Expert’s sister title Mandatewire reveals that the cash-generative asset is proving the perfect fit for mature defined benefit schemes, despite buyout looming for some trustees.
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News
Only 8% of UK investors ready to comply with EU SRDII
On the go: A tiny proportion of institutional investors across Europe are ready to comply with the EU Shareholder Rights Directive II coming into force this year.
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Features
UK schemes slash equities following long bull market
The global financial crisis gave rise to a record-long bull run, but in recent years many DB pension funds have been preparing for the inevitable end to these highs by reducing their reliance on equities.
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Podcasts
Podcast: ESG - Trustee investment duties explained
Podcast: New regulations coming into force this year mean pension schemes will be required to publish more-detailed statements of investment principles. These will address financially material environmental, social and governance risks, such as climate change. In this episode, Stuart O’Brien, a partner at law firm Sackers, discusses recent ESG-related developments, the danger of conflating ethical matters with ESG considerations, and explains how schemes can respond to member and pressure group queries.
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News
FCA warns of looming retirement poverty prospect
On the go: Inadequate retirement incomes that do not meet consumers’ expectations remain the central challenge for the pensions industry, according to the Financial Conduct Authority.
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News
Trustees urged to hold investment advisers to account on ESG issues
On the go: Trustees should hold investment consultants to account on environmental, social and governance issues, the Association of Member Nominated Trustees and the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association have argued.
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Opinion
SRD II: A blockbuster sequel
From the blog: It is often said that a sequel is never as good as the original. While that might be true for some films, the new European Shareholder Rights Directive is a welcome revision of 2007’s first instalment.
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Features
Shell launches online hub to meet member demand
Royal Dutch Shell has introduced a new financial education hub for employees, as members of the company’s pension fund show appetite for online communications.
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News
Pension giants challenge companies on climate lobbying
A consortium of pension funds with £1.6tn in assets has written to 55 large companies on their approach to climate lobbying, as government and regulators take action on Environmental Audit Committee recommendations to improve pension fund governance.
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Opinion
Why ESG is not a flash in the pan
I often get asked: “Is environmental, social and governance investing just the next investment fad?”
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Opinion
ESG: Focus efforts from a risk perspective
From the blog: Every institutional investor should be following a responsible investment approach.
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Opinion
It's not easy being green
Editorial: These days it is hard to deny that climate change is a material risk to a wide range of investments.
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News
ESG confusion hindering smaller schemes
Smaller pension schemes lack the governance, investment choice and concrete understanding required to properly engage with environmental, social and governance factors, according to the Pensions Policy Institute.
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Opinion
When member engagement should take a knee
From the blog: Pension schemes are under increasing pressure to invest responsibly. On this side of the pond, this discourse largely revolves around environmental and social investment.
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Opinion
Sin stocks under scrutiny
Editorial: Responsible investment campaigners notched a significant win last week, with the government publishing long-awaited regulations on environmental, social and governance disclosures.
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News
DWP scraps plans for schemes to check members’ ethical views
Controversial plans by the government to force trustees to outline how they have taken members’ ethical views into account in their investment strategies have been scrapped, it was revealed on Monday.
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News
UK’s three biggest public schemes failing on climate change
The Universities Superannuation Scheme, the Railways Pension Scheme and the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme have been slammed for the quality of their response to climate change.
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Opinion
DC Debate Q3: Updating asset allocations
In the second part of this quarter’s debate, our five DC professionals look beyond the traditional bond and equity portfolio to consider issues including diversified growth funds, alternatives and ESG.
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Opinion
Time for schemes to crack down on CEO pay
From the blog: A few weeks ago, the High Pay Centre released its annual report on executive pay at FTSE 100 companies. Unsurprisingly the report highlighted a large increase in chief executive officer pay from 2016 to 2017 – rising by 11 per cent.