Grantham Research Institute and LSE join forces for net-zero push

Two major academic institutions have partnered to launch the Just Transition Finance Lab, which aims to push the net-zero transition and nature-positive economy through a people-centred approach. The London School of Economics and Political Science and Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment said the collaborative venture will highlight the opportunities from financing … Read more

Q&A: Tide of regulation emerging to mandate corporate disclosure on social elements

Investors can’t afford to sit still and wait for companies to be mandated to disclose on social issues – although that is coming – warned Aviva Investors’ Richard Saldanha. The global equity portfolio manager and lead manager on the Social Transition Global Equity fund said while we wait for mandatory disclosure requirements to be put … Read more

Gresham House launches biodiversity fund with WTW backing

Gresham House has launched a sector specialist biodiversity strategy to accelerate the deployment of nature-based solutions designed to halt biodiversity decline in the UK. Willis Towers Watson (WTW) is the cornerstone investor in the Gresham House Biodiversity Co-Invest LP (GHBC) strategy, which is aiming to raise $380m to invest in ‘habitat banks’. Developed by Environment … Read more

Amundi and EBI to launch SRI model portfolios

Amundi and wealth manager EBI Portfolios have partnered to launch an SRI portfolio range. The five global portfolios will target ‘best-in-class’ passive ESG-rated equities and bonds. Each model’s equity allocation will vary from 100% to 20% and will invest across a range of regional equity funds and/or two fixed income funds. The equity element will … Read more

Schroders launches Article 9 global equity impact fund

Schroders has launched an Article 9 global equity impact fund, aimed at companies working to solve societal and environmental challenges. The Luxembourg-domiciled fund, Schroder International Selection fund Global Equity Impact, will use the work of impact investment partner BlueOrchard. Working across the small- and mid-cap teams at Schroders, the fund will be jointly managed by … Read more

European Green Bond Standard ‘step in right direction’ but challenges remain

The European Green Bond Standard (EUGBS) promises to boost investor confidence and support the long-term growth of the green bond market despite some limitations, according to findings from the latest report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). The report – Will Europe’s New Standard Help Or Hinder Green Bond Market Growth? … Read more

When the ESG tourists leave

At a the New York Times conference in late 2018, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink proclaimed that “demand for ESG [environmental, social, and governance] is going to transform all investing.”  Less than five-years later, at the 2023 Aspen Ideas Festival, Fink was referring to the “weaponisation of ESG….by the far left and … the far right”.  The increased politicisation … Read more

Investing in vaccines today will better position the world of tomorrow

Investment managers have highlighted the areas of opportunities within vaccines, specifically the advance in technology and opportunity to improve health equity as key areas of investment in 2024. As ESG Clarity’s global outlook for 2024 recent highlighted, healthcare has been earmarked as an area of focus by fund managers this year. This coincided with an … Read more