All social impact investment articles – Page 3
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FeaturesComplexities hamper social impact bonds’ true potential
Despite the launch of the UK’s sovereign green bond dominating the socially conscious fixed income discourse, there is still room for social impact bonds in schemes’ portfolios.
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NewsCalls for climate reporting harmony as FCA and DWP rules diverge
The Financial Conduct Authority’s climate-related disclosure rules for asset managers, life insurers and its regulated pension providers should be brought into line with Department for Work and Pensions regulations to give greater clarity and consistency, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association has said.
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NewsPodcast: Too much jargon hampers sustainable investing drive
Podcast: Politicians and the pensions industry risk jeopardising the progress made on sustainable investing because they are too fond of jargon. Members are keen to get involved, but they have to understand what they are getting involved in. Georgia Stewart, chief executive of Tumelo, and Chris Hulatt, co-founder of Octopus Group, talk sustainability, inter-generational fairness and cryptocurrencies.
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NewsGreener pensions are ‘most effective’ way to fight climate change
On the go: Making a pension “green” is more effective than going vegan, stopping flying, and switching to a renewable energy provider combined, according to new research.
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NewsCovid-19 spurs wave of interest in sustainable investing
Almost two-thirds of European asset and investment managers believe that the pandemic has made sustainable investing more important, according to Schroders’ Institutional Investor Study 2021.
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NewsBrunel’s Faith Ward wins environmental finance award
On the go: Faith Ward, chief responsible investment officer at Brunel Pension Partnership, has been named environmental finance personality of the year by news and analysis service Environmental Finance for her work making Brunel a “sustainability leader”.
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NewsTapping DC schemes for growth fund raises industry concern
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reportedly hoping to draft defined contribution schemes into propping up the government’s proposed Long-Term Assets Fund, though experts have raised concerns about its practicality.
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NewsIndustry focus shifts toward the ‘S’ in ESG
Three quarters of Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association members intend to review their social policy in the coming year, according to its response to the government’s consultation focusing on social risks and opportunities for occupational pension schemes.
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PodcastsPodcast: Illiquids not necessarily the answer for DC
Podcast: Illiquid asset classes might seem attractive in theory, but there would be difficulties establishing them in a defined contribution pension portfolio, even if all the regulatory burdens were removed. Brian Henderson, partner and director of consulting at Mercer, is joined by Shola Salako, professional trustee at Dalriada, to discuss alternatives, putting the S in ESG, and fixing the problems with chair’s statements.
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NewsEngagement drives progress to ‘net-zero’
On the go: Engagement has been key to embedding sustainability across investment strategies, and driving progress towards a “net-zero by 2050 target”, according to a new report from Kempen Capital Management.
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OpinionSchemes to pay more attention to social factors in ESG strategies
As the UK government turns its attention to the social factors in schemes’ environmental, social and governance investment strategies, Big Society Capital interim chief executive Stephen Muers explains how pension funds can address this issue while maintaining fiduciary duty to their members.
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NewsGovernment calls for greater emphasis on social factors
The government has called for a greater emphasis on the social element of pension schemes’ environmental, social and governance strategies, as there is a concern trustees are ill-equipped to deal with these factors.
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PodcastsPodcast: Uber decision poses challenges for master trust sector
Podcast: For master trusts, onboarding gig economy workers who could be entitled to a pension following the Supreme Court’s Uber verdict is not as simple as it may sound. Hymans Robertson’s Patrick Bloomfield, partner, and senior DC investment consultant Victoria Panormo unpack the problem, in an episode also covering the Pensions Regulator’s draft criminal powers policy, and the Department for Work and Pensions’ climate risk consultation.
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NewsSchemes have reason to be positive about Chinese equities
New research by NTree International suggests significant positive sentiment towards Chinese equities, and investment experts have argued that pension schemes should make strategic allocations to mainland Chinese markets.
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News
PPF reveals 23% ethnicity pay gap
On the go: The Pension Protection Fund has published its latest ‘Diversity pay gap report’, which reveals it has an ethnicity pay gap of 23 per cent.
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News
Asset managers bullish about renewable infrastructure returns
On the go: Institutional investors’ appetite for renewable energy infrastructure remains strong, and asset managers have not reduced return expectations despite an increasingly competitive marketplace, according to a new report by Bfinance.
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OpinionMaking your pension scheme investments count
While considering that pension schemes are not philanthropists, Impact Investing Institute chief executive Sarah Gordon believes pension funds should invest in businesses that deliver positive impact, as these are more likely to produce genuinely sustainable profit streams.
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News
Most savers unaware of schemes’ climate change endeavours
On the go: Three-fifths of workplace pension members do not know if their scheme is taking any action to combat climate change, according to a survey by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association.
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News
Schemes’ industry investments lag behind climate targets
On the go: Pension schemes with investments in heavy industry like steel, cement, aluminium and paper are likely to find them lagging behind the Paris agreement’s targets, with 86 per cent failing to align with a pathway to “2C or below by 2050”.
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PodcastsPodcast: Tackling climate change will require a ‘step change’ in governance
Podcast: The government’s “revolutionary” plans to tackle climate change “ain’t half prescriptive” when it comes to pensions investments, and will require a “step change” in governance to achieve. So say Stuart O’Brien, partner at Sackers, and ITS director Tegs Harding, who also discuss the consequences of another row at the Universities Superannuation Scheme and the cartelisation of the advisory market.