ESG changed my mind on…alternative transport

In this summer series for ESG Clarity, members of the sustainable investment industry tell us how their thinking on this fast-moving industry has adapted over the years and what changes that has led to. Here Kristina Church describes the evolution of thinking that led to including carbon emissions in the automotive sector’s valuation and why we must … Read more

Only 1.5% of funds aligned with 1.5ºC

A majority of global investment funds are not aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement, with only a small percentage (1.5%) aligned with a 1.5ºC scenario, according to research from sustainability technology platform Clarity AI. When weighted for asset allocation, Clarity AI’s analysis shows that less than 1,000 funds (1.3% of the total assets … Read more

Investor participation ‘key step’ for early coal retirements in Apac

Private sector investor participation in managed phase-out (MPO) projects is essential for scaling up early coal retirements in the Asia-Pacifc region, according to analysts at Sustainable Fitch, but asset managers remain wary. Many asset managers and financial institutions are concerned about investing in MPO projects because of the implications for increasing their financed emissions, reputational risks and accusations of greenwashing, according to the analysts. In Sustainable Fitch’s view, coal phase-out frameworks … Read more

Axa IM’s Iggo: Commitment to biodiversity is ‘not wholly evident’

Asset managers need to implement specific engagement and investment strategies to stem the rapid deterioration in the biodiversity system and therefore curb its knock-on effect on the wider planet, society and global economy, according to Chris Iggo, chair of the AXA Investment Managers (Axa IM) Investment Institute and chief investment officer of AXA IM Core. … Read more

KKR boosts climate strategy with global infrastructure team hire

KKR, a global investment firm, has hired a co-head for the firm’s global climate strategy, rounding out a refreshed leadership team focused on climate-related investments as part of KKR’s infrastructure platform. Charlie Gailliot (pictured), who is based in New York, joins global climate co-head Emmanuel Lagarrigue, also based in New York, and Neil Arora, who … Read more

JP Morgan launches two Paris-aligned Article 9 ETFs

JP Morgan has launched a duo of actively-managed Article 9 equity ETFs. Both the JP Morgan Global Research Enhanced Index Equity SRI Paris Aligned Ucits ETF (JSEG) and US Research Enhanced Index Equity SRI Paris Aligned Ucits ETF (JSEU) will sit within the $7bn (£5.5bn) Research Enhanced Index platform. Managed by Piera Elisa Grassi, Sebastian … Read more