Goldman Sachs launches Article 9 green bond ETF

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) has launched an Article 9 green bond ETF. The Goldman Sachs Global Green Bond UCITS ETF fund aims to track global G10 green bond issuance and offers access to bonds that meet certain sustainable investment screens, including controversy exclusion, project and sector exclusions and an analysis of issuers’ climate transition … Read more

Investor ‘disappointment’ as JPMAM and State Street exit CA100+

The announcements that asset manager giants have left the Climate Action 100+ (CA100+) initiative has caused responsible investors to review positions in their funds, while others have said the move is “not surprising” for passive players. On Thursday (16 February), Reuters reported JP Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) and State Street Global Advisors will not be … Read more

Corporate sustainability due diligence: Why the finish line is just the beginning of the race

It’s little over a month since provisional agreement was reached on the text of the highly anticipated Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Since then, the pace quickened, with the EU releasing a final draft in the past few days, in anticipation of a ratification vote, only to have the brakes applied after Estonia, Finland, … Read more

AXA IM launches carbon transition bond fund

AXA Investment Managers has launched a global bond fund aimed at decarbonisation, with investment consulting firm Aon providing seed capital of £127m. The fund, dubbed the AXA ACT Carbon Transition Global Short Duration Bond fund, will be led by Nicolas Trindade, who currently manages near £2bn for AXA IM in global and sterling liquid fixed … Read more

Sustainability hits and misses: Why it’s important for investors to spot the difference

Never has it been more necessary for us, especially investors with a sustainability view of the world, to be able to spot the difference between a genuine solution to a sustainability problem and a red herring. We are bombarded with claims about how ‘green’ businesses are, or how a certain technology will save the planet. … Read more

Investors told to vote down fossil fuel directors

Investor engagement with oil and gas companies has achieved “derisory” results and must be radically improved, including by voting down directors, according to an open letter NGO Reclaim Finance sent to 50 large investment firms yesterday. The letter stated investors ought to vote against strategic routine resolutions, suspend new investments and make public statements for … Read more

2024 AGM Outlook: Asset manager voting policies are ‘super vague’

Corporates’ annual general meetings (AGMs) are a time for investors and their stewardship strategies to shine. ESG Clarity asked industry professionals to find out what they expect – and what they hope – to see this AGM season. Louisiana Salge, EQ Investors head of sustainability, is not feeling hugely optimistic about how asset managers will use … Read more

Fidelity’s Ikawa Q&A: Traceability targets and collaborative engagement in Japan

Tomohiro Ikawa, head of engagement in Japan at Fidelity International, explains how the team is applying the firm’s sustainable commitments in the region, discusses a success story from the fund and reveals areas of focus going into 2024. Fidelity have just released its approach to four sustainable commitments for 2024. These are nature loss, climate … Read more

Stewart Investors founds investor network to push for responsible mining

Stewart Investors has announced the launch of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) Investor Network, a collaborative engagement project of which it is founding member. The network brings together investment industry stakeholders to advance responsible sourcing and mining by giving investors access to due diligence tools and collaborative opportunities. Reflective of Stewart Investors’ commitment to promoting … Read more